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Home Remodeling Contractors in Des Moines, Iowa

219 public registry records for Des Moines.

Source observed 2026-11-02: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. Registration is not a quality rating. A recorded location does not establish a service area.

State registry category: Residential Remodelers. This is the complete registry for Des Moines. Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check. Owner-verified listings follow, then listings with published business details, then everyone else, alphabetical within each group. Nobody is ranked by quality. How this list is built →

Also searched as: remodel, remodeling, remodeler, renovate, renovation, kitchen, bathroom, bath.

Ask home remodeling contractors in Des Moines for quotes →

11 of 219 listings publish services; 11 publish hours. These are published details, not availability guarantees.

Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check.

Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check.Verified: owner confirmed their details with the StateEvery registered contractor is listed either way, a badge moves a listing up, it never removes anyone, and neither is a judgement of anyone’s work.

← All contractors in Des Moines

More home remodeling contractors nearby in Polk County

4 of 10 listings publish services; 3 publish hours. These are published details, not availability guarantees.

Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check.

Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check.Verified: owner confirmed their details with the StateEvery registered contractor is listed either way, a badge moves a listing up, it never removes anyone, and neither is a judgement of anyone’s work.

More in this category in Polk County →

How many residential remodelers are registered in Des Moines?

As of November 2026, 219 residential remodelers based in Des Moines hold a construction contractor registration with the State of Iowa, 219 of them currently in Registered status. That is about 6% of the 3,454 residential remodelers registered statewide. This is the complete State registry for Des Moines, not a curated selection.

In Des Moines
219
registered in this trade
Currently registered
219
in active status
Not current
0
expired or lapsed, still on record
Renewing in 90 days
48
registrations due to expire

Comparing beyond city limits? All 3,454 residential remodelers registered in Iowa →

What to know before hiring home remodeling contractors in Des Moines

Compare scope before comparing price

A remodel bid is only comparable if it names the same materials, the same allowances, and the same finish level. Ask every bidder to itemize allowances for fixtures, flooring, and cabinetry. A bid far below the others is usually not a better deal; it is a narrower scope that will surface later as change orders.

Basements, radon, and moisture

Iowa has among the highest average indoor radon levels in the country, and finishing a basement encloses the lowest level of the house. Test before you finish, not after, and settle any water intrusion at the source first, finishing over an unresolved moisture problem is the most expensive mistake in this trade.

Permits are the homeowner’s exposure

Structural changes, egress windows, and electrical or plumbing alterations generally require permits from your city or county. Unpermitted work can surface at resale or in an insurance claim, and the liability tends to land on the homeowner rather than the contractor who suggested skipping it.

Guides for hiring home remodeling contractors in Des Moines

Cost to Finish a Basement in Iowa (2026)

Basement finishing cost in Iowa for 2026: real price ranges per square foot, what drives the total, moisture and egress rules, and how to hire a pro.

Costs · 6 min read

Kitchen Remodel Cost in Iowa: What to Budget (2026)

Plan Iowa kitchen remodel costs, compare written bids and check contractor registration. Find remodelers in Carroll, Davenport and across Iowa.

Costs · 6 min read

Egress Window Cost in Iowa: What to Budget for a Basement Bedroom

Planning a basement bedroom in Iowa? Learn what affects egress window costs, including excavation, window wells, drainage and installation.

Costs · 4 min read

How to choose the best home remodeling contractors in Des Moines

Iowa does not rate or rank contractors, and neither do we. The 219 registered home remodeling contractors listed on this page (current as of November 2026) are the complete State registry for Des Moines, shown without any quality ranking. “Best” is not a list you can look up; it is the contractor who is right for your job. Here is the method the pros’ own trade associations recommend for finding them:

  1. 1. Start from the complete list. Every business above holds a current State registration, and nobody pays to be included. Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check. That is placement, not a rating. Shortlist three or four whose location and trade fit your project.
  2. 2. Confirm the registration is active. Check each one on the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing’s official portal (verify a registration ↗). Every profile here links to the State’s own record so you can check it in one click.
  3. 3. Get current proof of insurance. Ask for a certificate of general liability and workers’ compensation. Never let uninsured work start on your property.
  4. 4. Get at least three written, itemized bids. Compare the same scope apples-to-apples. Be wary of a bid far below the rest. It usually hides missing scope or “surprise” costs later.
  5. 5. Check references and recent local work, then put the full scope, price, milestone payment schedule, and warranty in a written contract before anyone starts. Never pay the full amount up front.

The full guide: finding the best contractor in Iowa →Questions to ask before you hire →How to verify a registration →

Frequently asked questions

Do remodeling contractors have to be registered in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa law requires anyone earning $2,000 or more per year from construction work to register with the State under Iowa Code ch. 91C. Registration confirms unemployment-insurance and workers’ compensation compliance. It is not a license, involves no skills test, and is not an endorsement of the contractor’s work.

How many written bids should I get for an Iowa remodel?

At least three, all covering an identical written scope. Comparing three itemized bids is the only reliable way to tell whether a price is high, low, or simply describing different work. Put the final scope, price, milestone payment schedule, and warranty into a written contract before anyone begins.

Who are the best registered home remodeling contractors in Des Moines, Iowa?

Iowa does not rate or rank contractors, so there is no official "best registered home remodeling contractors" list. This directory shows all 219 registered home remodeling contractors the State lists in Des Moines, Iowa. Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check. Owner-verified listings follow, then listings with published business details, then everyone else, alphabetical within each group. Nobody is ranked by quality. To choose one for your project, confirm the registration is active, ask for current proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation (and, for a licensed trade, a current State trade license), and compare written itemized bids. Registration and advertising placement do not establish quality.

How many registered home remodeling contractors are there in Des Moines, Iowa?

As of November 2026, the State of Iowa lists 219 registered home remodeling contractors in Des Moines, Iowa. This directory shows all of them. It is the complete public registry, and nobody can pay to be added or left out.

Is a registered contractor the same as a licensed contractor?

No. Iowa requires most construction contractors to register with the State (Iowa Code ch. 91C), but registration is not a license, an endorsement, or a guarantee of quality, insurance, or bonding. It confirms only that the business filed a current registration with the State.

How do I verify a contractor's Iowa registration?

Look up the registration number on the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing's official portal (https://laborportal.iwd.iowa.gov/iwd_portal/). Every profile in this directory links to the State's own record so you can confirm it independently. See the step-by-step guide at https://contractiowa.com/verify.

Are these contractors insured or bonded?

Registration does not verify insurance or bonding. Always ask a contractor for current proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and get at least three written bids, before you hire.

Where does this data come from and how current is it?

It comes directly from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing's public "Active Iowa Construction Contractor Registrations" record, last exported November 2026. You can read how this directory is built and download the underlying dataset.

Data, sources & method →Verify a registration with the State ↗