--- title: "Monarch Renovations — Design-Build Firms | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/monarch-renovations-pfvwus-pf~1828797957 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1828797957.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Monarch Renovations" category: ["Design-Build Firms"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/abe3164d0e1daa2d_2619-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "1072 44th St, Des Moines, Iowa 50311, United States" latitude: 41.601 longitude: -93.6729 phone: "(515) 274-5404" website: http://monarch-renovations.com rating: 4.3 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 139 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # Monarch Renovations Original Houzz profile: [Monarch Renovations](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/monarch-renovations-pfvwus-pf~1828797957) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Design-Build Firms - **Location:** Des Moines, IA - **Serves:** Des Moines - **Houzz rating:** 4.3 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2012–2016), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves As the only remodeler in Central Iowa with an on-staff registered architect, the design-build team at Monarch Renovations stands apart from the rest. Their holistic approach to design and construction services creates a better experience for clients-- reducing risk, minimizing costly delays, and ensuring quality at all phases. Technology also plays a role. By using the best 3-D software, they can show you what your finished home will look like in detail before you ever break ground. “Our design team brings an expertise that’s not available anywhere else,” says President Mark Swanda. “They know how to merge modern solutions with old-house style in a way that makes you think that’s how the house should have been built way back when.” ### Areas Served - Des Moines ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Monarch Renovations | | Address | 1072 44th St, Des Moines, Iowa 50311, United States | | Phone | (515) 274-5404 | | Website | http://monarch-renovations.com | | Followers on Houzz | 139 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Monarch Renovations](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/monarch-renovations-pfvwus-pf~1828797957) - **Website:** http://monarch-renovations.com - **Phone:** (515) 274-5404 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Qualified Remodeler Magazine Gold Award - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2012–2016), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★ — sscheppe, Sept. 2015** > I hired Monarch Renovations to design and possibly build our additions and renovations which included: foyer and covered porch addition; kitchen & dining room addition and full renovation; mudroom addition, deck roof overhang addition, livingroom renovation, and full exterior renovation. The design phase was to be completed in less than 3 months and ended up taking over 6 months. At the end of almost 7 months, we were still unhappy with the blueprints but we had given the company significant feedback and ample time to take corrective action so we made the decision to take our business elsewhere. I voiced my significant concerns and displeasure with the plans, again, and asked for my money back. That was 6 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything back. As we work with another firm to complete the build, and we have found and continue to find significant errors and omissions in the blueprints which have caused the us and our new builder significant time, stress and additional work. I hired Monarch Renovations because I felt they could deliver an exceptional product and I was willing to pay extra for it... I was wrong. What value they added to our project was completely negated by the significant amount of time, work & stress that was added. I liked Mark and wanted to do the project with him but I simply could not afford to take that chance given our experience during during the design phase. **★★★★★ — tap2015, Feb. 2015** > Monarch designed and remodeled our upstairs bathroom. The design was consistent with the 1910's era home, incorporating subway tile for the wainscot and shower enclosure. Nice use of crown and base moldings. A shower shelf capped with marble was added, at Monarch's suggestion. Very elegant glass shower doors. Bath fixtures, hardware and lighting fixtures were perfect choices. > Meticulous construction work, beginning with addressing flaws in the original insulation of the room. The drywall work, which patched the existing walls and ceiling, was seamless. Spot-on finish carpentry work on the window and door casings. Very nice tile work, by a detail-oriented sub-contractor. > The project stayed on budget, using an itemized and detailed contract, with periodic updates. Excellent attention to every detail. > We are very satisfied with the results! **★★★★★ — Newbury New England LLC, Oct. 2014** > It was great working with Todd at Monarch Renovations.He listened,interpreted and explained my dreams with the most up to date computer graphics. Monarch's tradesmen > were careful skillful and very pleasant. They cooperated with me to give the project the 1920s look of the original house. **★★★★★ — dbdsm, Oct. 2014** > Monarch did our house addition with a new gourmet kitchen and master bedroom with a beautiful ensuite. The design work is the best I have ever seen, the project turned out in magazine photo style quality, better than we expected. **★★★★★ — Margi Weiss, Jan. 2014** > We have worked with Monarch on two exterior improvements to our home. We were thrilled with the results and are frequently asked "who did your work" by neighbors. Monarch was easy to work with and created designs that complimented our home and met our needs. **★★★★★ — mmmay, April 2013** > We renovated & expanded a100 yr. old home from top to bottom. Monarch was a delight to work with and their professionalism was superb. Their committement to timelines exceeded all expectations. We would recommend them without reservation. ## Selected projects - [Private Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-residence-pj-vj~17077) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 3 - [Private Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-residence-pj-vj~18114) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 24 - [Craftsman Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-kitchen-pj-vj~673263) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Private Residence (contemporary)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-residence-contemporary-pj-vj~148672) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - [Classic tile bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classic-tile-bathroom-pj-vj~914375) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Using white subway tile, we brought this bathroom back in line with its 1911 heritage, while bringing in modern amenities like a shower for two. - [Tudor Revival Garage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tudor-revival-garage-pj-vj~938059) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: This lovely Tudor style home was cursed with a fearsome driveway slope. Adding a new driveway in front with a detached garage tamed that slope and provided for a more gracious and welcoming entrance. Extensive landscape walls, paving and foundation work pushed the cost beyond any garage we’ve ever built, but a home of this stature called for it. - [Private Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-residence-pj-vj~47042) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 1 [See all 7 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/monarch-renovations-pfvwus-pf~1828797957) ## Community Q&A **Q: The pendant light fixtures look fantastic-where can I purchase them ?** *(in Photo Questions)* I'm interested in purchasing the same pendant light fixtures. A: Actually, they are made by LBL Lighting. Wow- They used my photo in their catalog! https://media.lightingnewyork.com/vendors/lbl/catalog/lbl\_2014\_catalog.pdf see page 266, 267. **Q: countertops** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you give me the specifics of the countertops. That look like glass, but how are they treated? A: We sandblasted the glass, then painted it white on the sandblasted side (bottom) **Q: Awning** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the name of the awning manufacturer A: That green wall is kind of amazing. Is it real, as in alive? **Q: Where is the chandelier from?** *(in Photo Questions)* i love the look of this chandelier! A: It came with the house. 1928 vintage. We dismantled it and moved it to a different location. I hope I never have to do that again. So many pieces, and the only thing we had to go on for instructions was an old photograph-- which I took. My own fault, I guess. :) **Q: Island - extended eating area** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you please share the measurements of the island and the extended eating area? Great, practical concept. A: The upper part is 5' x 4', and is 42" tall. It rests on the food prep countertop which is 2' x about 7'. There's about 11' or 12' from the island to the windows. You could use that area for dining or for low seating. **Q: Please tell me the measurements and brand of tub. It is so elegant!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: http://vandabaths.com/us/americas/product/monaco/ --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*