Business Details
21 Years
experience
Custom Home Builders in West Des Moines, IA
Drake Homes has been dedicated to transforming home-building dreams into reality since 2005. As a family-owned business rooted in the Des Moines Metro Area, we specialize in crafting custom homes that reflect the unique needs and lifestyles of our clients. Our team brings over two decades of combined experience in residential construction, ensuring every project benefits from deep industry expertise and a commitment to quality. We prioritize open communication and collaboration, guiding clients through every stage of the building process with transparency and professionalism. Our focus extends beyond constructionwe aim to create energy-efficient, durable homes that foster lasting memories for families. With a boutique approach of building approximately 40-50 homes annually, we maintain a personalized touch while delivering innovative designs and exceptional value.Our reputation is built on trust, evidenced by long-term client relationships and testimonials highlighting our dedication to exceeding expectations. As active members of the Iowa community, we understand local market dynamics and leverage this insight to help clients make informed decisions. From initial concept to final walkthrough, our process emphasizes efficiency, attention to detail, and client satisfaction. This philosophy has earned us recognition as an award-winning builder and a trusted partner for families seeking a home-building experience that balances expertise with approachability.
Services
Custom Home Building
Floor Plan Design
Lot Selection Assistance
New Home Construction
Home Renovation Services
Energy-Efficient Homes
Boutique Home Building
Client-Centric Construction
Des Moines Metro Development
Award-Winning Home Design
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in Iowa home construction.
- Our team provides personalized home-building consultations tailored to client needs.
- We specialize in energy-efficient, durable home designs.
- Our process includes transparent communication at every construction stage.
- We maintain a boutique approach to ensure personalized attention.
What people say
Perfect for us
Energy efficient
Invest in people
Fun building process
Exceeded expectations
Services
Custom Home Building
Drake Homes specializes in creating fully customized residences tailored to clients' unique preferences and lifestyles. Our process begins with collaborative design consultations to understand client visions, followed by expert construction management that prioritizes energy efficiency and durability. We incorporate modern architectural trends while maintaining functional spaces that stand the test of time.
Floor Plan Design
Our team offers extensive floor plan customization options to optimize space utilization and aesthetic appeal. From mid-century modern ranches to two-story family homes, we adapt designs to accommodate specific needs like entertainment spaces, home offices, or multigenerational living arrangements while maintaining structural integrity and cost efficiency.
Lot Selection Assistance
We help clients identify ideal building sites across Des Moines Metro Area communities, considering factors like school districts, commute times, and future development potential. Our expertise in local zoning regulations and land development ensures clients make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals and budget.
Energy-Efficient Homes
Our homes incorporate sustainable construction practices and materials to maximize energy savings without compromising comfort. Features include advanced insulation systems, high-performance windows, and energy-efficient HVAC installations that reduce utility costs while maintaining indoor comfort across Iowa's seasonal climate.
Client-Centric Construction
We maintain transparent communication throughout the building process, providing regular progress updates and involving clients in key decisions. Our team coordinates all aspects from permits to final inspections, ensuring timely completion while addressing client concerns promptly to maintain satisfaction at every project phase.
People
Todd Drake
President
Todd Drake founded Drake Homes in 2005 and has led the company with a focus on quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction. With decades of construction industry experience, he specializes in transforming client ideas into reality while maintaining budgetary constraints.
Christy Drake
Vice President & Realtor
Christy Drake brings 32 years of residential real estate expertise to Drake Homes, helping clients navigate the home-selling process smoothly. Her market knowledge and negotiation skills ensure clients achieve optimal outcomes when transitioning to their new custom-built homes.
Chris Balken
Senior Project Manager
Chris Balken oversees project execution with 30 years of residential construction experience. He manages projects from groundbreaking to completion, ensuring quality control and timely delivery while maintaining open communication with clients throughout the building process.
Andrew Springer
Marketing Director & Realtor
Andrew Springer combines real estate expertise with marketing strategy, having been recognized as a top Des Moines real estate agent. He manages client communications and coordinates marketing efforts to showcase Drake Homes' unique offerings to prospective buyers.
Questions
What areas do Drake Homes serve?
We build custom homes throughout the Des Moines Metro Area, including West Des Moines, Norwalk, Polk City, Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, Grimes, and Pleasant Hill.
Can I customize my home's floor plan?
Yes! We offer extensive customization options for all our floor plans, allowing you to modify layouts, finishes, and features to match your specific lifestyle and preferences.
What is the home-building timeline?
The typical construction timeline ranges from 6-12 months depending on project complexity, weather conditions, and material availability, with regular progress updates provided throughout.
Do you offer energy-efficient home options?
All our homes incorporate energy-efficient features like advanced insulation systems, high-performance windows, and efficient HVAC installations to reduce utility costs and environmental impact.
How do you handle client communication during construction?
We maintain weekly communication through scheduled updates and provide immediate notifications for any critical decisions or changes required during the building process.
Can I use my own lot for construction?
Yes, we can build on client-owned lots provided they meet zoning requirements and development standards in the desired location.
Videos
Reviews (7)
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
MaryAnn Swesey
Aug 06, 2019
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Drake made every step of the home building process easy. Todd is a great visionary and Christy is a joy to work with. We appreciate all the quality that has gone into our home, we can tell the Drake difference! We receive lots of compliments on our home and we recommend Drake to everyone!
Michelle Paterson
Jan 15, 2019
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Drake Homes builds a stunning home with much character and attention to detail and design. They are very professional and easy to work with. Christy Drake does an amazing job at staging the decor and color schemes. In fact, when I bought my house, I called Christy because I absolutley loved the artwork that she had up on the walls. She helped me get in touch with where I could purchase them for myself.
It's not every day that you can call and talk to an owner of a company. Especially after the closing. I've made a lot of great connections working with the Drake team. Ben Mc Dougal has been extremely
It's not every day that you can call and talk to an owner of a company. Especially after the closing. I've made a lot of great connections working with the Drake team. Ben Mc Dougal has been extremely
Ryann
Nov 20, 2018
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We used Drake Homes to build our house as a custom project. They were very easy to work with, explored all of our ideas, worked with us willingly to make our home exactly how we wanted. We also used Drake to open up a wall in our basement to create a game room after we moved in. They were prompt and efficient. We would recommend purchasing a Drake home or having one built to suit your needs. Thanks again, Drake Homes..... the Freitas Family!
