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TRUSTED BY AMES, IA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.3
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon14
    Verified custom home building reviews

Top-Rated Custom home builders in Ames - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for deWit Construction & Remodeling
deWit Construction & Remodeling
4.8(
26
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Our son hired this company to finish his basement a few years ago and was so pleased with their work he hired them to
demolish an existing back porch and construct a large 3-season room on the back of his house.  As he expected, the work
was done in a timely manner and the room is beautiful and very well constructed.  These guys are excellent finish carpenters.
My husband was a carpenter in his younger days and if anyone is critical of workmanship, he is the one!  He may one day
hire this company to do some work for us.  All of us would highly recommend Neil and his brother for any job you may want
done.  I'm sure our son would be very proud to show his two rooms to any of you who might be looking for a experienced and
detailed team.  Thanks guys!  Keep up your good work.

Jon, Jo Ann Cloyd of Ankeny, IA.
Scott Cloyd, Des Moines, IA.

submitted by:  Jo Ann Cloyd"
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+8

Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for Addition Doctors
Addition Doctors
4.7(
22
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1985

Free estimates

"My husband and I had spent 13 years remodeling our 1873 house by ourselves. When it came time to do our dream project of adding a sunroom, finding a contractor to do the work instead of doing it ourselves was a very important decision to us. We met with several contractors and knew instantly that John and his son Nate at Addition Doctors were the people we wanted taking on this project. John and Nate were so great to work with. They were the only company we met with who gave us a computer generated model of what the project would look like so we had a very clear vision of the end product. They were the only company to quote us the project under the budget we told them we had to work with. They kept us up to date at every step of the project and there were never any surprises about cost or timing. They had great ideas for the project when we weren't exactly sure what should or could be done. We love our finished sunroom. The quality of work and service they gave was excellent. We would highly recommend Addition Doctors for anyone who is looking to have quality work done to their home."
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Need a Cabin?
Enjoy the Porch

+18

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Des Moines Area Roofing
Des Moines Area Roofing
4.8(
275
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"From the beginning to the end we had excellent customer service. Jan, office manager, kept us informed every day on the progress of the job. The owner, Tim, was very courteous, informative, and easy to work with. The last day finishing up the skylight the derecho hit and they worked quickly and safely to remove the equipment off the property. I'm sure they remember that day! The crew on the roof were excellent and they were meticulous in the final clean-up stage. We are pleased with our new skylights!"
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Recommended by99%of homeowners
Avatar for Konstruct Pros LLC
Konstruct Pros LLC
4.1(
26
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

"Mike is a very talented and responsible contractor. I sought estimates from many different contractors and Mike was by far the most courteous and responsive. He made sure he understood my interests, provided feedback, and offered suggestions. The project was completed quickly and on budget. Mike was conscientious about minimizing dust in my home which I appreciated. I will be contacting Mike for future projects. Mike and his team are honest people that you can trust in your home."
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Recommended by90%of homeowners
Avatar for American Home Shield – Home Warranty
American Home Shield – Home Warranty
3.5(
5,689
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"It's a $75 service fee every time they send somebody out. It's cheap, you know it's insurance. They're excellent. I have no problems. I've been with them for years. They're fair. They give you a warranty on the repairs that are made. They're always responsive, I've never had any issues with their punctuality. The only problem I have with them is the wait time. The wait time to get to a human is sometimes extended to 20 or 30 minutes sometimes. They got prompts; you can do everything online, but sometimes you need to talk to a customer service representative about something. It takes so long, you'll get to them and once you get to them they're always responsive it just takes them a long time. I renew every year; it's a one-year renewable."
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+2

Recommended by65%of homeowners
Carlson Built, Inc.
5.0(
2
)
Find a Custom Home Builder

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1987

We are a locally owned and operated company with over 20 years of industry experience. We specialize in custom home builds but also offer a wide range of expertise for a variety of other home improvement projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Custom Home Builders FAQs, answered by experts

Hiring a reliable home builder is an essential task, but there are a few questions you can ask a potential builder to ensure you they are trustworthy and up to the task:

  • How long do you expect the process to take?

  • Are you fully licensed and insured?

  • How much of the work will you subcontract?

  • Will you pull all of the necessary permits for the job?

  • How long is the builder’s warranty you include with your work?

  • How do you handle resolution for issues I might have with the finished product?

  • How much experience do you have?

Yes, such as using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs for long-term savings.

Start by researching local contractors with experience in cottage construction. Ask for references, check licensing and insurance, and review completed projects. Compare multiple bids, making sure each includes the same scope of work. A good contractor will communicate clearly, provide a detailed contract, and ensure all work meets code and safety standards.

The average cost to build a modular home is around $270,000, and most modular homes total between $180,000 and $360,000. Of course, this price varies significantly by location, and the price tends to follow the cost of living in the area. There are quite a few other factors at play that can affect your pricing, including the following:

  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

  • Site preparation, including land clearing and leveling

  • Type of foundation

  • Utility connections

  • Cost of building permits

Handypeople usually don’t hold trade licenses, so they typically aren’t qualified to tackle projects involving installing or making alterations to plumbing or electrical lines. Below are some jobs that a handyperson usually won’t be able to complete:

  • Installing plumbing for a new kitchen or bathroom

  • Replacing plumbing pipes

  • Installing or repairing septic systems

  • Running new electrical wiring

  • Installing a subpanel

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to custom home building

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.