Your step-by-step guide to planning a home renovation in Des Moines, Ankeny, and West Des Moines—scope, budget, permits, timeline, and how to keep it cohesive.

Key Takeaways

  • Define your goals, scope, and budget before you begin a home renovation in Des Moines (or nearby Ankeny/West Des Moines).
  • Solve layout, structure, and systems first; finishes and fixtures come after.
  • Lock selections early to protect your schedule and avoid change orders.
  • Choose a renovation contractor who can blend new work with your home’s character through trim, cabinetry, and detail.

A successful home renovation doesn’t start with picking tile—it starts with a plan. Whether you’re updating a mid-century in Beaverdale, a 1990s ranch in West Des Moines, or a newer build in Ankeny, the best outcomes come from aligning scope, budget, and timeline long before demo day.

At Reese Builders, we design and deliver home renovations that feel “meant to be”—solving real-life flow, storage, and lighting while honoring the home’s style. Here’s what to know before you start.

  1. Clarify your “why,” scope, and budget
    Are you renovating for resale or to stay long-term? Do you need better circulation, more storage, or a complete style update? List must-haves vs. nice-to-haves and set a realistic budget with a 10–15% contingency for surprises (common in older Central Iowa homes).
  2. Lead with layout and structure
    Before finishes, decide how rooms should work. Identify walls to open or reframe, widen cased openings for better flow, and plan traffic paths that make daily life easier. If structure changes are needed, your builder will design beams/posts and coordinate engineering as required.
  3. Plan systems early (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
    Renovations often require new circuits, moving a sink or range, or balancing airflow for comfort. Confirm utilities and code items up front so rough-ins, inspections, and drywall happen on schedule.
  4. Lock selections before demo
    Cabinet specs, countertops, plumbing fixtures, tile, lighting, hardware, paint, and trim profiles should be chosen early. This prevents rework, protects timelines, and ensures rough-ins are placed for the actual products you’re installing.
  5. Build cohesion across rooms
    The hallmark of a great renovation is continuity. Carry casing and baseboard profiles through the home, choose a flooring strategy that reduces transitions, and repeat a consistent lighting and hardware language. Our custom carpentry team can match or recreate trim so new work blends with existing.
  6. Understand permitting and inspections
    If you’re moving plumbing/electrical, modifying structure, or adding windows/doors, permits are typically required. Your contractor should handle applications, inspections, and code compliance for Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, and surrounding jurisdictions.
  7. Prepare for life during construction
    Most clients live at home during a renovation. Expect dust control, floor protection, clearly defined site hours, and weekly updates. We phase work to minimize downtime and keep key spaces usable whenever possible.
  8. Choose a renovation contractor who listens
    A strong partner asks how you live today and designs to that. At Reese Builders, we translate your goals into a plan, then build with clear communication—from first measure to final punch list.

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Start your home renovation with clarity: define goals, plan layout and systems first, choose selections early, and build cohesion across every room. With the right process—and a contractor who understands Central Iowa homes—you’ll get a renovation that looks seamless and lives beautifully.

Planning a home renovation in Des Moines, Ankeny, or West Des Moines?
Contact Reese Builders to schedule a no-pressure consultation and get a clear plan for scope, sequencing, and selections.

FAQs

How long does a home renovation take?
Timelines vary by scope and season, but most multi-room renovations run several weeks to a few months after design, selections, and permitting.

Can we live in the house during construction?
Often yes. We phase work, control dust, and keep key spaces usable whenever possible.

Do I need an architect or interior designer first?
Not required. We can design-build in-house or collaborate with your architect/designer.

How do you keep the look consistent?
We set trim profiles, flooring strategy, fixture finishes, and a core palette early—then carry them through the entire project.

Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. We manage permitting, inspections, and code compliance for Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, and nearby communities.