Busy Builders

Busy Builders Your home should work for you. Let's talk about yours. License #: C140184
(1)

We build, remodel, and finish spaces that actually fit your life: kitchens, basements, decks, additions, and more.

1,000+ Central Iowa projects since 2020. Since 2020, Busy Builders has been the premier choice for custom home building and remodeling in the Des Moines area. As a dedicated general contractor, they transform your vision into reality, whether you're dreaming of a brand-new home or a beautifully renovated kitchen. Busy Builders brings expertise and passion to every project, delivering superior craftsmanship and a seamless building experience.

Nobody who builds a shower like this goes back to a tub they never used.That's the real question in a bathroom remodel: ...
10/26/2026

Nobody who builds a shower like this goes back to a tub they never used.

That's the real question in a bathroom remodel: how do you actually bathe? If the tub gets used twice a year, it's holding fifteen square feet hostage. If kids or soaking are part of life, keep one somewhere in the house.

Honest answers beat resale guesses here, and the value math for both directions is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

Composite decking quotes confuse people because the boards are only part of the story.The frame under composite is still...
10/23/2026

Composite decking quotes confuse people because the boards are only part of the story.

The frame under composite is still wood, the labor is the same or more, and railing often costs as much per foot as the deck surface. Two quotes for the same square footage can differ mostly in what's underneath.

We put real numbers to all of it, payback included, in the post linked in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

What permits does a home addition actually need?Building, electrical, mechanical, usually plumbing, and before any of th...
10/22/2026

What permits does a home addition actually need?

Building, electrical, mechanical, usually plumbing, and before any of those, a zoning check: setbacks and lot coverage rules decide whether the addition can even sit where you want it. Every metro city runs this slightly differently.

Weeks of lead time here is normal and worth planning around. What to expect city by city is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

Mid-project is the only time you can photograph the part that matters most.Behind that marble-look tile is a waterproofi...
10/21/2026

Mid-project is the only time you can photograph the part that matters most.

Behind that marble-look tile is a waterproofing membrane, sloped correctly, flood-tested before a single tile went up. Once it's covered, you're trusting it for twenty years, and there's no partial credit for almost waterproof.

Primary bath remodels carry real money. Where it goes, and what comes back at resale, is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

A dehumidifier reading tells you more about your basement than a walkthrough does.Below-grade spaces in Iowa want to liv...
10/20/2026

A dehumidifier reading tells you more about your basement than a walkthrough does.

Below-grade spaces in Iowa want to live at 60 percent humidity or higher for much of the year. Finished basements need to hold around 50 or lower, or the carpet, drywall, and furniture start hosting things you don't want.

If you're planning to finish yours, get the moisture picture under control first. How to ventilate and dehumidify a finished Iowa basement is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

There's still a strong case for a plain wood deck.Lower cost up front, easy to repair board by board, and a warmth under...
10/19/2026

There's still a strong case for a plain wood deck.

Lower cost up front, easy to repair board by board, and a warmth underfoot that composite still doesn't quite match. The trade is maintenance: a cleaning and a coat of sealer on a schedule, or Iowa weather starts collecting.

For a homeowner who doesn't mind the ritual, wood remains the value play. We build both and will tell you straight which fits.

Link in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

Your house has an October to-do list whether you write it down or not.Hoses off and spigots drained. Gaps around penetra...
10/16/2026

Your house has an October to-do list whether you write it down or not.

Hoses off and spigots drained. Gaps around penetrations sealed before mice find them. Furnace filter swapped. A walk around the foundation looking for grading that settled toward the house this year.

None of it takes long, and all of it is cheaper than the February version of the same problem. The full checklist is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

Can a genuinely small bathroom feel bigger without moving walls?Yes, and it's mostly three moves. A vanity with legs or ...
10/15/2026

Can a genuinely small bathroom feel bigger without moving walls?

Yes, and it's mostly three moves. A vanity with legs or a floating one, so floor runs wall to wall visually. Glass instead of a curtain. And one large mirror doing double duty for light.

Small bathrooms punish clutter and reward restraint. The full bag of tricks, including the ones that cost almost nothing, is in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

This porch is racing the calendar, and it's going to win.Shell up and dried in during fall means insulation, heat, and f...
10/14/2026

This porch is racing the calendar, and it's going to win.

Shell up and dried in during fall means insulation, heat, and finishes happen indoors over winter, and the room is ready when the first nice March weekend shows up. Start in spring instead and you lose the best months to the build itself.

Four season porches are the rare project where starting in cold weather is the smart sequence. More in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

The 10 to 15 percent rule, and why we repeat it constantly:Whatever your remodel budget is, hold 10 to 15 percent of it ...
10/13/2026

The 10 to 15 percent rule, and why we repeat it constantly:

Whatever your remodel budget is, hold 10 to 15 percent of it back as contingency. Not for upgrades. For the subfloor nobody knew was soft, the wiring that isn't to code, the surprise behind the wall.

If the project finishes clean, congratulations, you just funded the furniture. If it doesn't, you never had to stop work to find money. More prep that pays off in the comments.

Call: 844-435-9800

Address

West Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+15154945483

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Busy Builders posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Busy Builders:

Shortcuts

Share

Category