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The best projects start with design!

Compassion Builders Design Build Remodel offers complete Residential design services for Basement Finishing, Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling and Whole house Renovation & Remodeling projects and more! Our goal is to bring your vision to life to ensure your project turns out exactly as you dreamed!

By listening to your wants, needs, goals and dreams and we interpret that into your design. We utilize 3D rendering technology that makes your ideas come to life and will help you visualize your project. It provides you with realistic photos and walkthroughs incorporating your product selections into the Design. Just look at the difference going from 2D into 3D in the photo below.

Why Design First???

Let’s face it. Remodeling can be a stressful situation four you and your family especially if you’re living in the home during construction. By having a thorough design and construction documents, you can eliminate:

• The urgency of making selections during construction that can lead to delays!
• It ensures you against miscommunications and interpretations of design intent from the tradespeople!
• It helps you stay within budget!
• It can prevent you from not loving the outcome of your project.

Your satisfaction is ensured by having two or more virtual meetings where we review and edit your design live before your eyes and from the comfort of your own home! We have found this to increase the speed that we can produce your design as well as ensures you are getting exactly what you wanted and needed before construction is started.

The above photo shows a bold bathroom design option. Gloss black tile and matte black trim and cabinets. The shower features a frameless glass door and a rain shower head with body spray.

Alternatively, the below photo shows the same bathroom but with a completely different look! This time white and bright is the feel with tile walls surrounding the freestanding soaking tub. White trim and cabinets give the space a clean and refined feel.

By using our 3D Design software, you can get a feel for the overall look of your space to ensure that you’ll love your new space. Once you’re in love with the look it simplifies the selections process. Once you’ve made your product selections, we update the design to be as similar to your product selections as possible for your final approval.

Do you struggle with making decisions with the overwhelming amount of choices there are when choosing your product and color selections? You also have the option of selections assistance with one of our interior designer partners. Working with our interior designers can help save you money as well as save you hours of frustration and stress — which undoubtedly is priceless.

All designs include:

• Fixed Fee Design Agreement that clearly defines what is included
• Site survey and an as-built rendering (on remodels)
• Virtual meetings for layout revisions, window & door sizing & placement, Electrical locations and final product selections.
• Floor plan, Elevation & Specifications Construction Documents
• Firm Fixed Price Quotation To Build
• Any hazardous material testing where required
• Partial credit towards construction if you choose Compassion Builders to be your contractor of choice.
• Your choice to utilize selections assistance.

Let Compassion Builders become your Design, Build & Remodel partner and bring your dreams to life!

Remodeling and Renovation are the processes of improving or repairing a broken, damaged, or outdated structure. Both remodeling and renovating mean to make improvements on an existing home or commercial building. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, or bringing something back to life while remodeling tends to mean to change the structure or the form of the home or building. Projects involving renovation and remodeling require a solid design, specifications as well as flexibility due to unforeseen issues that may arise.

Gary & Melody first approached us at the Home & Remodeling Show after a relative had referred us to them as a quality renovation & remodeling contractor that shared their personal values. We spoke about their dislikes of their current Norwalk Iowa homes layout and what their end goal was to have an open and functional floor plan as well as a master bathroom. 

We first would love to introduce our clients who better tell the story of how this Home Remodeling brought their dreams to life.

Renovations & Remodels Start With 3D Design!

The following spring they hired us to design and quote the renovation of their home. After a as built rendering was completed we went to work figuring out the best scenario to accomplish their vision in a way that complimented their space. 

We began by turning the stairs 90 degrees from the existing location to open up the space. The existing bathroom was eliminated to open up the space for the new larger kitchen as seen in the photo at the top of the page. The existing kitchen was converted to the dining room with a new sliding door to allow additional sunlight as well as access for a future deck. The second bedroom was used to create the master bathroom. Doorways and bulkheads in the hallway would be eliminated to allow the space to feel less constricted.   

The initial price for all the work required for the design and their selections was beyond their target budget. With their authorization we developed a plan to reduce certain items and change some methods to get them into an investment range they could proceed with. Once approved we scheduled construction to begin in a time that worked with their schedule. 

The above before & after shows an incredible transformation. From closed off hallway to a glorious kitchen. After the bathroom was removed we had to modify the roof structure to allow the existing vaulted ceiling to continue naturally. Two new beams were added to match the others and was given a coat of paint. Rustic hickory cabinets and granite countertops provide ample storage and working space. The new vent hood has become a favorite feature of this kitchen along with the recessed and under cabinet lighting. The new pantry cabinet on the right provided some much needed food storage.

The addition of a private master bath was a much anticipated feature. No more navigating the halls in the middle of the night. As seen in the above photo, the new vanities are nestled perfectly between the walls and the new linen closet. We utilized a whisper quiet adjustable CFM exhaust fan with humidity sensor and night light feature. 

 One challenge we had on this project was with moving the stairs. One of the homes sump pumps was in the landing area and hindering our required clearances. The photo below shows our creative solution to this issue. We made the final step a landing that covered the pump. The piping was routed into the walls and an access door was built into the floor. A simple recessed ring allows it to be lifted up for servicing. A vent in the riser of the landing and one in the wall ensures plenty of airflow to prevent condensation issues. 

The Hallway was a closed off and dark space. The slide below shows the transformation. The doorway was removed to widen the hallway fully. At the midway point was a bulkhead/beam from a previous addition to the home. We removed the bulkhead and moved the beam into the attic space to enable an unobstructed view. All new doors and trim was installed making future updates in the remaining rooms easy. New recessed lights brighten up the space and now can be controlled by each room.

We are glad that we were able to make Gary and Melodie’s dream of their Des Moines bordering Norwalk home a reality. They are pleased they chose Compassion Builders as their renovation and remodeling partner.

Let Compassion Builders become your Home Remodeling & Renovation Contractor!

Decks are where it all started for us almost 16 years ago. We had a passion for carpentry and creating unique pieces for clients that were built to last. We still have that same passion that we put into all your living spaces in and around your home.

A deck is an outdoor living space often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. Wood or timber “decking” can be used in a number of ways: as part of garden landscaping, to extend living areas of houses, and as an alternative to stone based features such as patios. Decks are typically made from treated lumber which is lowest in cost, cedar which is higher in cost than treated, composite which is the most expensive option other than exotic hardwoods but also is the longest lasting.

Whichever option you choose Compassion Builders can build you the deck of your dreams.

The above photo shows a deck we designed and constructed in Clive, Iowa. This client enjoyed entertaining but lacked the space for it. This deck created two main spaces for enjoyment. The main area is large enough for a table and chairs as well as the added bench provides additional seating as well as a boundary for safety. The area to the left of the photo was added to be more intimate setting. The floor steps down to provide a space separation as well as to keep the height low enough that railings were not needed. The beautiful cedar and copper pergola adorns this lower level creating a perfect space for a romantic dinner.

Trex Composite decking was selected for the floor and we decided to add visual distinction between the horizontal and vertical surfaces by using cedar for railings and skirtings. The floorboards run from the house out to mimic the old porch floors as well as to keep the floor seamless. Hidden fasteners were incorporated keeping the floor looking smooth. This was an excellent project that mixed form, function, and beauty that will last.

The photo above is for a Gazebo and Deck addition for a client in West Des Moines. Her husband was suffering from the effects of aging and she wanted a comfortable space she could get him to safely where he could be outside to enjoy the birds he loved. The lower deck was in poor shape and held an old hot tub which they couldn’t use.

We decided to remove the lower deck and completely replace it with a new ground level deck to match their upper deck. This enabled safe access from the downstairs of the home with only 1 small step. The Gazebo was added to the corner and raised one step up. We screened in the gazebo as well as under the floorboards to keep the insects out. A ceiling fan was added to provide additional comfort on those warm summer days. Lighting and a power outlet enables night time entertaining and relaxing music. We cleaned and stained the existing and new deck and gazebo surfaces to unify the colors and add to its serviceable life.

The photo above shows a deck we replaced for a client in Clive. They contacted us about some rotten boards they needed replaced. After a thorough inspection, the amount of boards they needed replaced wasn’t worth the cost of the repair as well as what was the structure like underneath it all. They had issues for years with board rotting out since the area stayed wet due to all the shading from trees. After discussing their options, they elected to do a full resurface with the understanding that if the framing was bad we would replace it.

Upon demolition of the old deck surface we discovered the majority of the floor joist were indeed rotting on the top as well as undersized and over spanned. We had the home owner come out to see the damage first hand.

So, after we obtained the proper permit we began the total deck replacement. Once all the framing was removed we discovered that part of the floor structure of their house was rotted due to improper flashing. This is an unfortunate common occurrence from decks that were installed over the siding and lack flashing to prevent water from sitting between the deck and the house. We removed the damaged siding and replaced the damaged rim joist, installed a proper vapor barrier and reframed the deck. The entire deck frame top was flashed with a peel and stick flashing to prevent future rot. Trex Transend decking was selected for its beauty and water resistance and installed with hidden fasteners. We lowered the elevation of the deck slightly to allow for proper flashing to the house and we added the white PVC trim piece to replace the rotten siding.

This Client was left with a beautiful, low maintenance deck that should outlast them.

The photo above shows a deck repair and resurface project we completed for a client in Urbandale. They contacted us about replacing the hand rails and a few floor boards. Upon inspection we discovered a major safety issue with how the stairs where attached and constructed. It didn’t meet code for when it had been constructed and was at risk of complete detachment. They decided to have us fix it all.

We reframed the stairs and added the proper support they needed and resurfaced the deck with cedar. We utilized our basic railing style which is strong, rot resistant and easy to sweep debris off your deck. They chose a black aluminum baluster which accents the stain nicely. Now they have a safe, code compliant and beautiful deck to enjoy.

To learn more about our previous work and to check out what our customers have to say visit our testimonials page.

If you’re ready to speak with one of our team members, contact Compassion Builders for us to become your preferred Deck Builder today!

Johnathan at Compassion Builders did an excellent job with our deck. Made suggestions, worked through problems and basically did an excellent job!!

~David D. Diehl

If you are a veteran or in active military service, Compassion Builders wishes to thank you for your service! As a way of showing our gratitude for your service we offer you the following discounts. 

 Basement Finishing 

Have Compassion Builders design and build your finished basement and receive a discount of $3 dollars per square foot of finished basement living area constructed up to 1500 square feet. That’s up to a $4,500 dollar maximum discount value. 

Decks/Gazebos  

Have Compassion Builders design and build your new deck and receive the design for Free!  

Additional terms apply for these deep discounts, but we prefer to review them for interested parties.