Des Moines is known by locals as a hub of activity with a unique mix: a big city with a small town atmosphere. There are several activities to do, from lively local celebrations to the peaceful restaurant and retail scene. The city’s downtown celebrates different festivals and concerts that locals and visitors alike can enjoy, including the Iowa State Fair and the Des Moines Art Festival. It is close enough to nearby cities for residents to enjoy a weekend in Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas, and St. Louis.
For anyone interested in moving to Des Moines, we have created a list of the best general contractors in the area. Each contractor is known for their collaborative approach to projects, which allows clients to provide their input for the homes they will live in.
Silent Rivers Design + Build
800 19th St., Des Moines, IA 50314
Silent Rivers Design + Build specializes in kitchen, bathroom, addition, custom and ground-up home construction, deck and patio, loft and condominium, landscaping, pool, and specialty room projects. The Art Deco Remodel is a project in downtown Des Moines for a client’s loft. Silent Rivers opted to keep the original maple door and trim from the ‘90s, blending the design with new custom cabinets. The cabinets are a cool gray color with Art Deco silhouettes, which complements the warm brick walls, exposed ductwork, and wooden beams and ceilings. Spaces like the kitchen are made for entertaining guests; Silent Rivers placed a large island and a long bank of cabinets for an efficient layout. The main work area was opened up with shorter cabinets above the sink and stove.
As a firm with over 25 years of experience, Silent Rivers offers a broad range of services. These include remodeling, historic preservation, design-build, new construction, consultation, and crafting custom cabinets and furniture. Silent Rivers works to connect people with their homes by taking their aesthetics and style into account. The firm takes care to be mindful of ways to make spaces more energy efficient while inspiring its occupants.
Zenith Design + Build
1492 NW 86th St., Clive, IA 50325
Zenith Design + Build was created to offer owners a better approach to their remodeling and custom home building projects. The team works to handle the requests of clients with care while ensuring the experience and process are easy and enjoyable. Client testimonials have commended Zenith Design + Build’s ability to complete the work on time and within budget. Several clients have also taken note of the open and collaborative nature of the partnership; some have expressed satisfaction with being involved in decision-making. The services being offered are kitchen remodeling, exteriors, additions, basement finishing, custom homes, and bathroom remodeling.
Zenith Design + Build worked on a Micro-Primary Suite remodeling project in Des Moines Southside. The firm added a micro bathroom—originally a hall closet—to the primary bedroom. The bathroom has a floating vanity and a space-saving, European-style toilet with an in-wall tank for a modern look. For a bright touch to the bathroom, Zenith Design + Build used a subway tile in the tower to make up for the lack of a window. This also contrasts with the black and gray tile floor. Other features include a glass transom panel and brushed brass fixtures.
Remodeling Contractors
3051 104th St. Suite B, Urbandale, IA 50322
Remodeling Contractors has been in the industry for nearly 40 years. It works based on the principles of collaboration, professionalism, efficiency, and integrity. Together with six other firms, Remodeling Contractors merged with Fleming Construction to improve its ability to provide collaborative and client-centric services. These services include design-build, home renovation and remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing and remodeling, sunroom addition, aging in place, and handyman projects.
Remodeling Contractors specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions, and entire homes. It worked on remodeling a home along 141st street for a family looking to downsize from their suburban family home. The original concept was a small update, which turned into a whole home remodeling project with new furniture once planning began. Remodeling Contractors’ in-house design team partnered with JY Design for the finishing touches of the fireplace and closet system. The home was also prepped for the family’s ease into retirement.
Red House Remodeling
404 5th St. West, Des Moines, IA 50265
Red House Remodeling is a general contractor serving Des Moines, Johnston, Norwalk, Urbandale, Clive, and Ankeny. It mostly works on home additions and remodeling entire homes, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. One of its projects is a home remodel in Clive. The owners wanted to rework and update the space to match their aesthetic while blending the new finishes with the existing trim and millwork. This resulted in vertical grain cabinets in two finishes, white counters with a modern concrete finish, a stone fireplace, and a sleek powder room vanity.
Putting clients at the center of each decision, Red House Remodeling works to create innovative solutions for its home improvement and repair projects while keeping clients involved. The firm’s project designer collaborates with clients to help them design functional and appealing spaces, and then a team of knowledgeable craftsmen work on the space.
Kaufman Construction
1848 Fuller Rd. Suite 1, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Kaufman Construction was created to produce spaces that stay true to the vision of clients. It works to combine the convenience and low maintenance of a new home with quality construction, creative designs, and custom features for a home that is both personalized and up to industry standards. Each project is meant to age gracefully so that clients will be able to appreciate Kaufman Construction’s foresight and attention to detail.
Kaufman Construction is skilled with remodeling rooms, new home construction, designing, restoring, and home additions. Its work on a kitchen upgrade in a Greater Des Moines home required new cabinets, countertop replacements, a decorative backsplash, and other updates. Kaufman Construction collaborated with the homeowners to figure out a design that fit the floor plan while serving its purpose. This allowed the firm to install a 60” professional range.
AIM Kitchen & Bath
2624 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310
AIM Kitchen & Bath focuses on working on residential kitchen and bath remodeling projects in the Central Iowa area. The firm’s company mission is to maintain the quality and timeliness of its services for showroom and interior design needs. Its team of trained installers is skilled in working on drywall, flooring, ceramic tile, cabinetry, and trim work. AIM Kitchen & Bath also works on granite, quartz, and solid surface countertops.
To keep AIM Kitchen & Bath’s employees up to date with the latest industry trends and skills, the firm encourages continuing education to learn current design concepts, most preferred products and installation styles, and proper business practices. To this end, the firm supports the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the Home Builders of Greater Des Moines. Doing this allows the firm to foster long-term relationships with its clients and keep the renovation process easy and painless.
Firstcall
3910 SE Capitol Cir,. Grimes, IA 50111
Firstcall is a Grimes-based general contractor that specializes in remodeling and restoration projects. The firm was initially focused on building executive homes and participating in several home shows during the late 1980s; its remodeling was limited to a small division at the time. Even as early as then, Firstcall was working based on the principles of honesty, integrity, client centricity, competitive pricing, and quality.
Firstcall’s remodeling unit was expanded during the time of the Des Moine Iowa flood when the firm directed most of its efforts into restoring several devastated properties. This resulted in Firstcall Restoration. As a general contractor, Firstcall places heavy emphasis on producing high-quality work.
Grand Homes and Renovations
828 Wren Dr., Altoona, IA 50009
Grand Homes & Renovations’ company commitment is to provide quality workmanship and achieve client satisfaction by creating tailored designs and solutions. This allows the firm to understand projects from the point of view of each client. Grand Homes & Renovations emphasizes the importance of doing a good job the first time because its business is based on ensuring clients are satisfied with the work.
Grand Homes & Renovations is experienced in kitchen design, bath design, and interior trim work. It has worked on projects like an Iowa home’s basement finish with a large wine room. This project features glass countertops, custom wine storage with cooling units, and custom glass storage for sports souvenirs. There are also a limestone fireplace and a custom wood wall in an office with hidden doors to give the basement a sleek feel. The space here is meant to be used for entertaining guests.
J. Thompson Builders
5291 Stoney Creek Ct., Johnston, IA 50131
J. Thompson Builders provides clients with services that are enhanced with its attention to detail and creative problem-solving designs. Its work uses a style that is rustic yet luxurious, which the firm calls “urban lodge.” The services being offered focus on residential remodeling. This includes full house remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and sunrooms.
Founder Jeremy Thompson created the firm knowing the impact a well-design home can make on a client’s life, which is why he encourages close collaboration with clients. Doing so allows him to produce spaces that are tailored to a client’s lifestyle and vision. Each project is worked on based on the principles of creativity, dedication, and clear communication.
Sundance Homes
6000 Grand Ave. 12, Des Moines, IA 50312
Sundance Homes focus primarily on custom homes for clients in the Des Moines area. The firm’s motto is to bring clients a relaxing home-building experience. To that end, Sundance Homes partners with trusted vendors and subcontractors to maximize project value. Testimonials have noted the firm’s ability to provide designs that fit the owner’s lifestyle while matching the aesthetic of the neighborhood. Several testimonials have commended Sundance Homes for its professional yet personable approach to projects.
Kevin and Nicole McGothlin own and operate Sundance Home. They both have extensive backgrounds in construction, finance, and real estate, which gives them the experience necessary to refine each aspect of the building process. Both owners have hands-on experience that makes their approach to working on projects more refined.
