Business Details
21 Years
experience
Your Trusted Des Moines Home Builder
At Drake Homes, we recognize that building a home is more than constructing wallsit's about creating spaces where memories are made. Since 2005, we've been dedicated to translating dreams into reality for Iowa families, combining over two decades of industry expertise with a passion for innovation. Our process is designed to be seamless, from initial consultation to final walkthrough, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision. Our boutique approach allows us to build approximately 40 custom homes annually, with a focus on quality craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and modern design. Our team of seasoned professionals brings extensive experience in construction, real estate, and project management, ensuring your new home meets the highest standards.We prioritize clear communication and transparency throughout the building journey, offering personalized guidance that has earned us recognition as an award-winning Des Moines home builder. By integrating cutting-edge technology and premium materials, we create homes that exceed expectations while maintaining low maintenance requirements. Our commitment extends beyond constructionwe invest in lasting relationships with homeowners, supporting them long after keys are exchanged. This philosophy has made us a trusted partner for families seeking to build in the Des Moines Metro Area, where we continue to set benchmarks for excellence in residential construction.
Services
Custom Home Building
Lot Selection Assistance
Basement Finishing
Realtor Services
New Home Construction
Floor Plan Customization
Home Design Consultation
Building Process Management
Move-In Ready Homes
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We bring 20+ years of Iowa home building expertise to every project.
- Our boutique approach ensures personalized attention to every detail.
- We specialize in energy-efficient homes with modern, functional designs.
- Our team includes experienced realtors to facilitate smooth home transitions.
- We maintain transparent communication throughout the entire building process.
What people say
Perfect home
Energy efficient
Well-built
Invest in people
Fun building process
Services
Custom Home Building
Our custom home building service transforms your vision into reality. With over 20 years of experience, we create personalized, energy-efficient homes in the Des Moines Metro Area. Our process includes collaborative design sessions, material selection, and expert project management. We build approximately 40 homes annually, combining modern aesthetics with functional layouts tailored to your lifestyle and budget.
Move-In Ready Homes
We offer move-in ready homes across prime Des Moines communities. These expertly crafted homes feature modern designs, energy-efficient systems, and premium finishes. Available in various neighborhoods including West Des Moines, Norwalk, and Waukee, these homes allow immediate occupancy while maintaining the quality standards Drake Homes is known for.
Basement Finishing
Our basement finishing service transforms unfinished spaces into functional living areas. Whether creating additional bedrooms, entertainment spaces, or home offices, we match existing home quality with customized designs. This service includes space planning, material selection, and expert installation to maximize your home's value and usability.
Floor Plan Customization
We offer comprehensive floor plan customization to meet your specific needs. Our design team modifies existing plans to optimize layouts, improve functionality, and incorporate personal preferences while maintaining structural integrity and building code compliance. This service ensures your home perfectly aligns with your lifestyle requirements.
Realtor Services
Our licensed realtors provide comprehensive real estate services including selling your current home, finding land for new construction, and navigating the complete home-building process. We offer market expertise, strategic pricing, and negotiation skills to facilitate smooth transitions while coordinating seamlessly with your home construction timeline.
People
Todd Drake
President
Todd Drake founded Drake Homes in 2005, bringing extensive construction industry experience. With a focus on quality and client satisfaction, he personally oversees project excellence while ensuring each home reflects the company's commitment to superior craftsmanship and innovative design.
Christy Drake
Vice President & Realtor
Christy Drake has 32 years of residential real estate expertise. As Vice President, she manages client transitions, leveraging her market knowledge to facilitate smooth home sales and purchases while ensuring seamless coordination with new home construction projects.
Chris Balken
Senior Project Manager
Chris Balken brings 30+ years of residential construction experience to Drake Homes. As Senior Project Manager, he oversees home-building processes from start to finish, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and exceptional quality benchmarks across our annual 40+ projects.
Andrew Springer
Marketing Director & Realtor
Andrew Springer combines marketing expertise with real estate experience, having earned recognition as one of Des Moines' top agents. He manages brand strategy while assisting clients with property transactions, ensuring consistent communication throughout the home-building journey.
Questions
What areas does Drake Homes serve?
We specialize in home building and sales throughout the Des Moines Metro Area, including West Des Moines, Norwalk, Polk City, Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, Grimes, and Pleasant Hill.
What home types are available?
We offer custom-built homes with various floor plans and modern designs, as well as move-in ready homes in premier Des Moines communities.
Can I customize my home?
Absolutely! We work closely with clients to customize floor plans, materials, and finishes to create personalized living spaces that match their lifestyle.
Do you offer realtor services?
Yes, our team includes experienced realtors who can help sell your current home and assist with the entire home-building journey.
How long does construction take?
From groundbreaking to completion, our typical home building process takes 3-6 months with regular communication updates throughout the project.
What about basement finishing?
We specialize in finishing basements in existing homes, creating functional spaces that match the quality and design of the main living areas.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Monchichiyoshi
May 04, 2021
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I love this builder and we finally after many years of reluctance decided to build with Christy and Todd Drake. We are thrilled with how much input we got to have into the build and Christy has been just so nice to us with frequent communication and service attitude. This is one shot in life to create something very personal and if you have a chance build with Drake. They are not successful for no reason. Its a synergy of energies and relationships they created in the community. I feel very grateful.
Martin Ferro
Dec 10, 2020
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Critical:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
Don't buy from Drake! Once we bought one of their houses, it was a nightmare to get them to come and do the 1-year repairs. Almost 3 years later, we are still waiting for them to complete the work and the little work they did it was low quality and poorly done. You are better off going with another builder. Buyer beware for sure.
Don't buy from Drake! Once we bought one of their houses, it was a nightmare to get them to come and do the 1-year repairs. Almost 3 years later, we are still waiting for them to complete the work and the little work they did it was low quality and poorly done. You are better off going with another builder. Buyer beware for sure.
Ryan Staudt
Dec 01, 2020
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We have lived in our Drake Homes house for approximately 10 yrs. The overall build quality has been excellent. I recently contacted Todd Drake on an issue that showed up after we had sold our house. He took care of the problem without hesitation. He was very professional and stands behind their work. I would not hesitate to use Drake Homes again in the future.
Corey Champlin
Nov 06, 2020
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My wife and I built our first home with Drake Homes in 2008. We were impressed by how easy they were to work with and their design and quality of build. I spoke to several contractors and vendors after the build that told me I made a good choice as Drake built a really nice home. After living in the home for nearly 12 years with no problems whatsoever, we decided to build again. For us, there was no question on who we would choose to build our new home. We'd heard numerous horror stories over the years from friends and acquaintances of experiences with other builders. We visited Christy at an
Mike Nigro
Oct 21, 2013
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Whether is from the curb or the moment you step inside, it's easy to recognize that only top quality materials are used in all Drake Homes. The entire Drake Homes team is friendly and makes the new home building process smooth, but they also have a unique level of experience and professionalism that ensures each home is perfect. I'd highly recommend you consider Drake Homes when it's time to build a new home anywhere in Des Moines!
Lin Stecker
Sep 09, 2013
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Drake Homes is an Iowa Home Builder who provides a unique, friendly, and professional home building experience for families all around Des Moines. If you're considering building a new house in West Des Moines, Grimes, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, or anywhere else around central Iowa...I'd highly suggest you contact the experienced team at Drake Homes!