The Best Kitchen Remodeling Contractors in Iowa

Last updated on December 6th, 2024 at 05:02 am

The kitchen is one of the busiest parts of the home. Given the wear that comes with constant cooking, kitchens are a priority for remodeling, which can also add resale value to a home. A successful kitchen remodel can improve a homeowner’s life both practically and emotionally.

This list compiles some of the best kitchen remodelers in the state of Iowa. They were chosen based on merit, media presence, and, noteworthy projects. As you go through this list, you may notice the recurring trend of traditional and colonial themes, a popular architectural style in the area. Nevertheless, you will also find an abundance of unique spaces and modern takes on these classic designs.

15) Cherry Ridge Construction

1425 9th Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Headquartered in Council Bluffs, Cherry Ridge Construction services the entire Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. The firm specializes in both residential and commercial custom building and remodeling. It has remodeled numerous kitchens and bathrooms, finished basements, performed home additions, and engendered man caves. The firm’s services include custom cabinetry, backsplash work, and custom countertops. Its homes can often be recognized by the firm’s signature woodwork.  

The company is led by Chris Rochleau, a Certified Graduate Builder and Certified Graduate Remodeler. Chris is also a Certified Green Professional, and—through a partnership with Energy Star—the firm ensures that the homes it builds are equipped with high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, insulation, and excellently filled air gaps. As can be seen in the chosen photo, the firm’s work often makes use of rustic themes and colonial designs.

14) HC Remodel and Design

11811 I St. Suite #202, Omaha, NE 68137

HC Remodel and Desin utilizes a design-build approach and is known for its livable remodeling efforts. Although it is capable of handling large-scale projects such as whole house remodels, it particularly specializes in small-room renovations such as kitchens and bathrooms. Its portfolio showcases a gallery of a wide variety of designs, including contemporary farmhouses and modern ranch-inspired kitchens. The firm’s work has been featured on Remodeling Magazine and has garnered the firm numerous awards throughout its years in the industry. It is the proud recipient of several accolades from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), which most recently recognized the company with a Contractor Excellence Award.

The chosen photo is an example of the firm’s contemporary takes on the classic farmhouse theme. Here, the firm incorporated several barn elements like the farm door and present wooden stools with the kitchen’s more modern aspects, such as its minimalist palette.

13) Homes by DePhillips

7101 Vista Dr., West Des Moines, IA 50266

With over four decades of experience, Homes by DePhillips specializes in exterior, interior, kitchen, and bathroom remodeling. Led by its founder, Michael J. DePhillips, the firm has worked on over 500 homes in the Des Moines metropolitan area since its inception in 1973. The firm’s work has been featured on Build Des Moines magazine several times. Further, its portfolio shows how it constructs in a wide variety of designs, but showcases particular expertise in modern and transitional styles. Often-recurring themes include straight lines, open spaces, and neutral palettes with hints of bright and eye-catching colors.

With the featured contemporary kitchen, the firm integrated the kitchen island with the uniquely constructed bar to create an efficient space. The room’s emphasis on sharp lines gives the room a modern touch.

12) Hamm’s Home Interiors

1134 S Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA 52240

Hamm’s Home Interiors, established in 1978, is best known for its interiors, as well as its specialization in kitchens and bathrooms. The firm is manned by a team of highly-skilled design professionals, with a combined experience of over four decades. The firm’s team personally assists its clients throughout the entire process, from choosing the materials that will go into their new kitchen at Hamm’s very own selection center to installation and construction. It also offers its clients drywall, electrical, plumbing, structural, and finish carpentry services. The firm’s designs often emphasize the wooden elements that go into a room. Its work is often characterized by its beautiful custom cabinetry and elegant wood-paneled flooring.

The firm’s portfolio showcases an array of award-winning kitchens often remodeled with transitional and European designs. Its team often utilizes overhead beams. In the featured photo, the beam is given a slightly more modern approach through the infusion of the overhead lights, detailed custom trimmings and finishes, and an overall rustic feel. Heavy use of earth tones shows inspiration from classic colonial themes.

11) Modern Touches

1980 NW 94th St. Suite E, Clive, IA 50325

Modern Touches extends its services throughout the entire state of Iowa and offers its clients home improvement and entire home remodeling work. The firm specializes in home additions, bathroom remodeling, and kitchen remodeling. The firm is led by Lucas Herrick, a general contractor with nearly two decades of experience and an educational background in structural engineering. Under his leadership, the firm has been able to provide its clients with innovative solutions and has had its work on the pages of Remodel Des Moines Magazine and Professional Remodeler.

The firm utilizes a design-build approach and generally in with modern and contemporary styles. However, its portfolio also showcases a variety of colonial and traditional style kitchens.

10) Remodeling Contractors

8823 Oakdale Dr., Johnston, IA 50131

Remodeling Contractors is a full-service remodeling and restoration firm with three decades of experience. Located in Johnston, the firm provides services throughout the greater Des Moines metropolitan area and its surrounding neighborhoods. In addition to kitchen remodeling work, it has also worked on an extensive number of projects such as bathroom remodeling, basement finishes, home additions, theater rooms, and even do some home maintenance work. The company is led by Rollie Clarkson, an experienced builder and a key figure in the establishment of the Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines. Clarkson is also a Certified Graduate Remodeler.

The firm often works with colonial and traditional themes. Its projects often highlight custom-made cabinetry, rich woodwork, and finely-crafted window panes. Remodeling Contractors has been twice recognized by the Remodelers Council with a Remodeler of the Year award.

9) Sundance Homes

6000 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Sundance Homes serves the entire Greater Des Moines and Ames area and is best known for its interiors, outdoor living work, and custom fixtures. The firm is led by Kevin and Nicole McGlothlin, with the former acting as the firm’s lead builder. Both work closely with each client, with Kevin ensuring that each project the firm takes on receives the benefit of his three decades of home building experience. The firm has garnered several accolades from the Home Builders’ Association (HBA) of Greater Des Moines, which most recognized the firm’s craftsmanship and master suite work.

The firm mostly constructs and remodels in contemporary and transitional themes. The featured project depicts one of its more modern kitchens. Here, the firm opted to keep the space open, with the kitchen transitioning smoothly into the dining and living rooms. A neutral palette was utilized, along with the use of geometric patterns on the walls to emphasize the kitchen’s chic and contemporary finish.

8) Red House Remodeling

404 5th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265

Red House Remodeling utilizes a design-build approach and has been serving the great Des Moines area for almost a decade. It provides entire house remodeling services, but specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and home additions. Its work has been featured on Remodeling Magazine; the firm was recognized with the publication’s prestigious Big50 Award. The firm is also the proud recipient of the 2014 Remodelers’ Council of Greater Des Moines’ Remodeler of the Year Award. The firm is owned by Ben and Stephanie Trannel, both hands-on owners with backgrounds in design and management. Ben is a Certified Graduate Remodeler, a Certified Green Professional, and a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, which means that the firm is equipped to handle problems that may arise from a wide spectrum.

The firm mostly works with both modern and traditional designs. Here, the firm used a transitional approach, incorporating traditional elements, such as the granite countertops and finishes, and wooden flooring, with metallic and contemporary themes added to the space.

7) H&H Home Builders

3752 Cardinal Ct. NE, North Liberty, IA 52317

With over two decades of experience, H&H Home Builders offers both custom home building and entire home remodeling services. It takes pride in its sustainability efforts, and integrates green building methods into each of its projects. It is a Certified Green Professional and has a partnership with EnergyStar, making it fully-equipped and ready for any green technology and energy efficiency requests clients may have. Since its inception in 1995, the firm has been adhering to EnergyStar guidelines and utilizes the latest technology in the field. Its green homes are distinguished primarily by the materials that go in them, which mainly consist of recycled and renewable materials. In addition to its sustainability practices, the firm also offers its clients free consultations, customization options, and a one year warranty on all new construction. The firm has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including Parade of Homes and Builders Excellence awards.

The firm ensures that its kitchens are highly efficient, and builds in a variety of styles, though it specializes in contemporary work.

6) Grand Homes

2265 Hearthstone Cir. SW, Altoona, IA 50009

Grand Homes specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, and creative home remodeling. It is best known for its excellent craftsmanship, exquisite traditional and European designs, and new home construction. The firm has had the privilege of being featured in various publications, including Woman’s Day Kitchens & Baths, Renovation Style, Welcome Home, and Home Style. The firm is led by David Kruse and Carrie Norris; Norris is the mind behind several national award-winning kitchens and the recipient of the Associate Remodeler of the Year Award in 2005.

In the featured project, the firm used stained cherry cabinets with a hint of an onyx glaze to maintain the traditional feel of the room. A functional island, complete with hidden storage spaces, elegantly takes up the center of the room and ensures that the family does not run out of counter space. It is finished with two beams, which compliment the custom hood.

5) AIM Kitchen and Bath

2624 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

AIM Kitchen and Bath prides itself on its traditional, classic, and Colonial spaces, which have been featured by several publications, including Signature Kitchens & Baths, Welcome Home Des Moines, and BUILD Des Moines. With in-house installers and master plumbers on its team, AIM focuses on residential kitchen and bathroom remodeling. It extends its services throughout Central Iowa, and has over three decades of experience. The firm also runs a multipurpose showroom, located in Beaverdale, where clients can see its wide array of high-quality options, from fine custom cabinetry to flooring.

A member of the national SEN Design Group and the HBA of Greater Des Moines, AIM’s extensive showroom also features its signature granite and quartz countertops. Its portfolio showcases a vast array of extensive colonial and traditional designs, in addition to farmhouse and ranch styles.

4) Fleming Construction

3051 104th St. Suite A, Urbandale, IA 50322

Boasting over two decades in the industry, Fleming Construction provides its clients with entire house remodeling and renovation services but shows particular skill with kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and sunrooms. Its work has been featured both on TV and in print—notably, Fleming Construction graced the pages of Remodeling magazine, which named its principal, Zak Fleming, to its “40 Under 40” list. The firm is also the proud recipient of numerous Remodeler of the Year awards from the HBA. Fleming is a Master Electrician and Certified Graduate Remodeler with over two decades of experience in every facet of the construction industry. They have also won remodeler of the year 3 years in a row. He is joined by Marc Black, who became a partner in 2017, and leads the firm’s team in special projects, such as aging-in-place work.

The firm’s projects often distinguish themselves with their elegant and inviting finishes. The featured kitchen showcases the firm’s preference for clean and plain countertops, useful kitchen islands, and neutral color palettes.

3) First Call

3910 SE Capitol Cir., Grimes, IA 50111

Established in the 1980s, First Call extends its services throughout the Des Moines area and is known for its restoration and emergency services. Led by Scott Cierzan, the firm has won several awards, some of which include several Remodeler of the Year Awards from HBA and a Big50 award from Remodeling magazine. It has had the privilege of landing on the pages of numerous prestigious publications such as Qualified Remodeler, which named the firm as one of its annual best 500 remodelers in the country. Its designs mostly adhere to traditional and colonial themes, as seen in the featured project.

Here, the firm chose cherry wood for its cabinetry to complement the black granite countertops. There is also an emphasis on the firm’s woodwork through the use of earth tones. A modern touch was also added through the lighting design.

2) Silent Rivers

9205 Swanson Blvd., Clive, IA 50325

Silent Rivers Design Build is an award-winning firm led by Chaden Halfhill, an artist with a nationally-recognized portfolio featuring exquisite sculptures, designs, and photography. He established the company in 1993 after coming across like-minded artisans who shared his love for building and art. They worked on remodeling projects during the day; at night they focused on art. Eventually, as their team grew, they integrated these two aspects of their lives. Their first projects mostly involved outdoor spaces. They later learned how to bridge the connections between outdoor and interior environments, completing organic house remodels.

With a portfolio showcasing an array of modern farmhouses, luxurious mid-century homes, and extravagant contemporary spaces, the firm has had the honor of winning a Chrysalis Award and graced the pages of Professional Remodeler and Qualified Remodeler. It is also the proud recipient of numerous Contractor of The Year Awards. In addition to the elegance that comes with its designs, the firm also ensures that each project it takes on follows a sustainable framework. To further these efforts in green building and energy efficiency, Halfhill co-founded the Center on Sustainable Communities.

1) K and V Homes

2105 SE 37th St. Suite D, Grimes, IA 50111

K and V Homes was the brainchild of Colin King and Dean Vogel, two high school classmates who first worked as framers. They constructed homes for other firms until they finally decided to set up shop on their own. Together, they have 50 years of experience in residential construction. The two now lead an award-winning firm. Both are Graduate Master Builders and have been recognized by several award-giving bodies throughout their years in the industry.

The firm most recently won multiple distinctions at the annual HomeShowExpo. It proudly took home the Best of Show, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, and Best Master Suite awards. The firm’s work has also been featured by several publications. It was on the cover of Builder/Architect; its more recent magazine features include BUILD Des Moines, Welcome Home Des Moines, and dsm. With an extensive range of services, from whole house remodeling to special four-season room remodeling, the firm specializes in transitional, Colonial, contemporary, and Lodge styles.