City Seeks Exterior Home Contractor Bids Amid Increase in Property Improvement Projects

Des Moines, Iowa- Friday, February 20, 2026 - The City of Des Moines is seeking qualified contractors to support construction work for the 2026 Improving Our Neighborhoods (ION) program, with projects scheduled to begin this spring. A new bid package, titled Property Improvement Projects is now open in Ion Wave, and contractors specializing in exterior home repairs are encouraged to apply.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at 1200 Locust Street on Wednesday, Feb. 25th from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., offering contractors an opportunity to learn more about project requirements, ask questions and review program expectations before submitting their bids.

The ION program provides financial assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners for critical exterior repairs such as roofing, siding, windows, doors and foundation work. With strong interest following the application window opening earlier this year, the City's Property Improvement Division is expanding its pool of contractors to meet expected construction demands.

"We've had a tremendous response from homeowners since applications opened, and we have plenty of projects for qualified contractors who are ready to help us deliver these improvements," said Dan Grauerholz, Property Improvement Administrator. "If you work in exterior repair, we encourage you to review the bid package and consider submitting a proposal."

The City will select multiple contractors through a competitive bid process. Proposals must be submitted by March 6, 2026. Bid documents and submission details are available at DSM.city/ION under the "Resources" menu.

Contact
Emily Wankum
Communications Specialist II, City Manager's Office
(515) 283-4028
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and X for more information.