The Lot You Choose Shapes Everything That Comes After It
You can design the perfect floor plan. You can select every finish, every fixture, every tile with precision. But if you build that home on the wrong lot, in the wrong community, none of it will feel right.
Choosing where to build a custom home in the Des Moines metro is one of the first and most consequential decisions in the entire process. The community you choose determines your school district, your commute, your property taxes, your resale value, and the daily rhythm of your family’s life for years to come.
And yet, most families start this decision by scrolling through lot listings online with no real framework for evaluating what they’re looking at. Lot size and price are easy to compare. But what about soil conditions, setback requirements, utility access, flood plain proximity, and HOA architectural covenants? These factors directly impact what you can build, what it will cost, and how long it will take.
At Claman Custom Homes, we’ve been building custom homes across Central Iowa since 2004. We know these communities from the inside, not as a real estate listing, but as a builder who has navigated the permitting offices, worked with the subcontractors, and poured foundations in the soil. Here’s what we’ve learned about the best places to build a custom home in the Des Moines metro.
If you already have a community in mind and want to explore what’s possible, schedule a consultation with our team or browse our available lots to see where we’re currently building.
Key Takeaways:
- West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale are the primary custom home building communities in the Des Moines metro, each offering distinct advantages.
- School district boundaries, lot availability, and municipal permitting processes vary significantly between communities and directly affect your build timeline and cost.
- Working with a builder who has established relationships in your target community can streamline permitting, subcontractor scheduling, and lot evaluation.
- The right lot for your custom home depends on more than price. Topography, orientation, utility access, and neighborhood covenants all influence your design and budget.
West Des Moines: The Established Standard for Custom Living
West Des Moines consistently ranks among the most desirable suburbs in Iowa, and for good reason. It offers a mature infrastructure of restaurants, retail, healthcare, and entertainment anchored by Jordan Creek Town Center. The community balances suburban comfort with easy interstate access, putting downtown Des Moines within a 15-minute drive.
For custom home builders and buyers, West Des Moines offers a mix of established neighborhoods with larger infill lots and newer developments on the western edge of town with walkout and daylight basement opportunities. The West Des Moines Community School District serves much of the area, though portions on the western boundary fall within the Waukee school district.
From a building perspective, West Des Moines has a well-organized permitting process and clear building codes that experienced custom home builders can navigate efficiently. Lot prices are among the highest in the metro, reflecting the demand and the community’s reputation. Custom homes in West Des Moines typically start around $500,000 and extend well above $1.5 million for premium lots with views and walkout topography.
Claman Custom Homes has built extensively in West Des Moines, and our team understands the nuances of building in this market, from lot-specific soil conditions to neighborhood architectural standards that influence exterior design and material choices.
Waukee: Iowa’s Fastest-Growing Community for a Reason
Waukee has experienced explosive growth over the past decade, with its population surging past 31,000 residents. That growth has been driven by one of the strongest school districts in the state, abundant new development land, and a community infrastructure that keeps pace with residential demand.
The Waukee Community School District is consistently rated among Iowa’s best, with a graduation rate above 96% and an enrollment exceeding 13,600 students. For families building a custom home, school district quality is often the deciding factor, and Waukee delivers.
New developments in Waukee offer a variety of lot types, from traditional flat sites to walkout lots with tree lines and open space. Pricing for custom home lots in Waukee tends to be more accessible than West Des Moines, making it an attractive option for families who want to maximize their home building budget on finishes and square footage rather than land cost alone.
Waukee’s location just 15 miles west of downtown Des Moines means easy access to major employers, I-80, and the metro’s commercial corridors. The city has invested significantly in trail systems, parks, and community gathering spaces, creating an environment that feels connected without being congested.
Our team has built multiple custom homes in Waukee developments, and we maintain strong relationships with the city’s permitting office and local subcontractors. If Waukee is on your radar, we can help you evaluate specific lots for buildability and alignment with your custom home plans.
Clive: Central Location, Premium Convenience
Clive sits at the geographic heart of the Des Moines metro’s western suburbs, bordered by West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Waukee. Its central location makes it one of the most convenient communities for professionals who commute to multiple locations across the metro.
Clive is served by two school districts depending on location. Properties in the Polk County portion fall within the West Des Moines Community School District, while the Dallas County portion is served by the Waukee school district. This distinction matters significantly when selecting a lot, and it’s one of the details our team helps clients navigate during the lot evaluation process.
Custom home lot availability in Clive is more limited than in Waukee or Ankeny due to the community’s more established development pattern. However, infill lots and select new developments continue to emerge. Families who prioritize walkability, mature landscaping, and proximity to Greenbelt parks and trail systems find Clive especially appealing.
Building a custom home in Clive typically requires careful architectural planning due to tighter lot dimensions and neighborhood covenants. Our design-build approach is well-suited for these conditions, because our team coordinates floor plans, site placement, and exterior design as an integrated process rather than discovering constraints after plans are already drawn.
Johnston: Growth Meets Green Space
Johnston has quietly become one of the most compelling custom home communities in the Des Moines metro. The city offers a distinctive combination of rapid residential growth, a highly regarded school district, and an abundance of green space and trail access.
The Johnston Community School District covers approximately 40 square miles and serves Johnston along with portions of Urbandale, Grimes, and Granger. The district is known for strong academics, robust extracurricular programs, and a community-oriented culture that resonates with families who value education and involvement.
For custom home building, Johnston offers a variety of lot types across its expanding western and northern boundaries. Executive lots averaging over half an acre are available in some developments, providing the space and privacy that families building in the $800,000 to $1.5 million range often desire. The city’s rolling terrain creates natural walkout basement opportunities that add significant livable square footage without expanding the home’s footprint.
Johnston’s permitting process is straightforward for experienced builders, and the city has been proactive in extending infrastructure to support new residential development. Our team has navigated Johnston’s building environment for years and can guide you through lot selection, architectural review requirements, and construction scheduling specific to the area.
Ankeny: Scale, Schools, and Opportunity
Ankeny is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Iowa, with a population that has expanded dramatically over the past two decades. Its growth has been fueled by an exceptional school district, relatively affordable land, and a pro-development municipal approach that welcomes new residential construction.
The Ankeny Community School District is one of the state’s largest, serving over 13,000 students with consistently strong academic outcomes and comprehensive extracurricular offerings. For families building a custom home, Ankeny provides a wide range of development options, from established neighborhoods with mature trees to brand-new communities on the city’s expanding northern and western edges.
Custom home lots in Ankeny generally offer more square footage for the investment compared to West Des Moines or Johnston, making it an ideal choice for families who want a larger home or more outdoor space without exceeding their budget. Homes in the $400,000 to $900,000 range can be built with generous floor plans and high-quality finishes in developments across the city.
Ankeny’s location along I-35 provides quick access to downtown Des Moines, the airport, and northern employment centers. The city has invested heavily in parks, recreation facilities, and a trail network that connects neighborhoods across the community.
Urbandale: Established Character With Room to Build
Urbandale offers something that newer communities can’t replicate: established character. Mature trees, well-maintained public spaces, and a community identity that has developed over decades make Urbandale appealing to families who value a sense of place.
While Urbandale is more developed than Waukee or Ankeny, custom home building opportunities continue to exist on its western edge, where newer developments provide access to both the Johnston and Waukee school districts. Infill lots in established Urbandale neighborhoods occasionally become available and can be excellent opportunities for families who want to build custom in a mature setting.
Building in Urbandale requires attention to neighborhood context. Lot dimensions, existing tree canopy, and established architectural character all influence what can and should be built. Our design team excels in this environment, creating custom floor plans that maximize the potential of each specific site while respecting the surrounding neighborhood aesthetic.
How Claman Custom Homes Helps You Choose the Right Community
Selecting the right community and the right lot is a decision that deserves professional guidance. Our licensed realtors, Tim Scheib and Sonya Claman, work directly with families to evaluate building lots across the Des Moines metro. Tim is a seven-time Ankeny’s Best Realtor winner with over 20 years of experience in Central Iowa real estate, including deep expertise in new construction and land.
Together, our team assesses lots for buildability, orientation, utility access, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and alignment with your custom home plans and budget. We don’t just find you a lot. We help you understand exactly what can be built on it, what it will cost, and whether it’s the right foundation for your forever home.
Explore our available lots page or browse our gallery to see the caliber of homes we build across these communities.
Your Next Step
The right community is waiting for your custom home. Whether you’re drawn to the established prestige of West Des Moines, the growth energy of Waukee, or the green spaces of Johnston, Claman Custom Homes can help you build there with confidence.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with Claman Custom Homes and let’s talk about where your custom home story begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best areas to build a custom home near Des Moines?
The most popular communities for custom home building in the Des Moines metro are West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale. Each offers distinct advantages in school districts, lot availability, property values, and community amenities. The best choice depends on your family’s priorities, commute patterns, and budget. Claman Custom Homes builds in all six of these primary communities.
How much do building lots cost in the Des Moines metro?
Lot prices vary significantly by community and lot type. In West Des Moines and Clive, premium lots can range from $80,000 to $200,000 or more. Waukee and Johnston lots typically range from $60,000 to $150,000. Ankeny offers some of the most competitive lot pricing in the metro, with custom home sites available from $50,000 to $120,000 depending on the development and lot features like walkout topography.
Does Claman Custom Homes help with finding and evaluating lots?
Yes. Our licensed realtors, Tim Scheib and Sonya Claman, specialize in lot selection across the Des Moines metro. They’ll help you evaluate sites for buildability, school district boundaries, utility access, and alignment with your custom floor plans. We also maintain a page of available lots where we’re currently offering building opportunities.
Which Des Moines suburbs have the best school districts for families?
Waukee, Johnston, West Des Moines, and Ankeny consistently rank among Iowa’s top school districts. Waukee’s graduation rate exceeds 96%, and Johnston is known for its large-district-small-town feel with strong academic outcomes. Your building lot’s specific location determines which district you’ll be in, and in communities like Clive, the district boundary actually runs through the city.
Can I build a custom home on a lot I already own in the Des Moines area?
Absolutely. Claman Custom Homes builds on client-owned lots throughout our service area, including West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, Urbandale, and select locations in Norwalk, Cumming, and Polk City. We’ll evaluate your lot’s buildability and help design a custom home that maximizes its potential.
About Claman custom homes
This article was written by the Claman Custom Homes editorial team, combining over 20 years of custom home building experience across the Des Moines metro with the local market expertise of our licensed realtors, Tim Scheib and Sonya Claman. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Claman, our team is a proud member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, holds a BBB A+ rating, and has earned multiple HBA HomeShowExpo awards. We build custom homes in West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, Urbandale, and select Central Iowa communities. Contact us at (515) 423-2614 or visit clamancustomhomes.com/contact.
