A behind-the-scenes look at custom craftsmanship, vendor partnerships, and the HBA of Greater Des Moines event bringing it all together
At Embarq Signature Homes, a custom home is a thoughtful process shaped by design conversations, skilled trades, trusted vendor partners, and the clients who will one day live in the space.
That process is exactly what Embarq recently explored on Dig It – A Real Estate Podcast, the Hubbell Realty Company produced podcast that brings together real estate, construction, housing, development, and community conversations from the people helping shape Central Iowa’s built environment.
For Embarq, the conversation centered on one of the most exciting projects on the 2026 calendar: the 2026 HomeShowExpo at Saddle Ridge in Norwalk, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines.
A Home Show home built with purpose
Embarq is proud to be a builder in the 2026 HomeShowExpo, taking place this September at the Saddle Ridge Development in Norwalk. The HBA of Greater Des Moines describes the event as a showcase at the “stunning Saddle Ridge Development,” with the 2026 show featuring 11 exceptional homes.
For Embarq, participating in the HomeShowExpo is an opportunity to connect with future homeowners, educate visitors about the custom building process, and showcase what intentional design and quality craftsmanship look like in real life.
“The Home Show isn’t just an event — it’s an opportunity to connect, educate, and inspire.” – Pat Fox, Director of Operations for Embarq.
This home was designed around a clear idea: livable luxury. The goal is to create a showpiece that inspires people while still feeling warm, functional, and personal. Visitors will see a ranch-style custom home with family-focused spaces, refined details, and features that reflect how homeowners in Central Iowa actually live, gather, host, relax, and recharge.
What visitors can expect inside Embarq’s 2026 HomeShowExpo home
Embarq’s 2026 HomeShowExpo home is designed to feel elevated without losing sight of everyday life.
On the main level, visitors will find open, light-filled living spaces, thoughtful ceiling heights, detailed trim work, and a floor plan that supports both daily routines and entertaining. The kitchen is designed with serious hosting in mind, including a working scullery or prep pantry that keeps the main kitchen clean and connected while offering practical storage and prep space behind the scenes.
The lower level continues the home’s balance of comfort and experience. With a bar, living area, additional bedrooms, a craft room, and a dedicated golf simulator room, the basement is designed as a true extension of the home rather than an afterthought. For homeowners who want year-round entertainment, especially through Iowa winters, this type of space shows how a lower level can become one of the most-used areas in the house.
Wellness is another major theme. A dedicated wellness room with space for fitness, recovery, and reset reflects a growing shift in custom home design: homeowners want spaces that support not only how they gather, but how they feel.
Outside, the home extends into outdoor living with features such as a pool, pool house, outdoor kitchen, patio spaces, and views that take advantage of the Saddle Ridge setting near Legacy Golf Course.
The vendor and trade partners behind the build
A home like this does not come together because of one idea, one drawing, or one builder. It takes a coordinated team of vendors, suppliers, craftspeople, and trade partners working toward a shared vision.
From excavation and foundation work to framing, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, tile, countertops, exterior stone, siding, landscaping, pool installation, outdoor living features, appliances, lighting, and finish selections, each partner plays a role in the final experience visitors will walk through at the HomeShowExpo.
That is one reason the HomeShowExpo is such a valuable event. It gives visitors a chance to see the finished result of those partnerships in person. A countertop is no longer a small sample in a showroom. A cabinet color is no longer viewed under artificial light. Tile, trim, lighting, appliances, exterior materials, and outdoor features can all be experienced at full scale.
For Embarq, these vendor relationships are part of the craft. The right partners bring ideas, product knowledge, installation expertise, and problem-solving to the table. They help transform a design concept into a home that feels cohesive, durable, and deeply considered.
The HBA of Greater Des Moines also plays an important role in elevating these industry connections. The organization notes that choosing an HBA member means working with professionals committed to the homebuilding industry and quality work.
Why the HBA of Greater Des Moines HomeShowExpo matters
The Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines has long been a connector for builders, remodelers, suppliers, trades, developers, and homeowners throughout Central Iowa bringing in tens of thousands of visitors each year. The HomeShowExpo brings that network to life in a way people can walk through, compare, and experience.
For future homeowners, the show is a powerful planning tool. Instead of looking at isolated inspiration photos online, visitors can tour multiple homes in one neighborhood and get a real sense of layout, scale, finish levels, outdoor living, storage, natural light, and flow.
“For builders and vendors, it is a chance to show what is possible when design, craftsmanship, and coordination come together. We get to showcase the best of the best in this event.” – Dan Knoup, Des Moines HBA.
And for Embarq, it is a natural extension of the company’s approach to custom homebuilding: partnership, clarity, and well-made homes that reflect real life.
Planning your visit to the 2026 HomeShowExpo
The 2026 HomeShowExpo begins with the Uncoastal Social on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Saddle Ridge Development in Norwalk.
Public HomeShowExpo dates begin Saturday, September 12, and continue across select dates through Sunday, September 27. The HBA calendar currently lists show hours including Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sundays with earlier closing times, and Thursday/Friday evening hours on later weekends.
The HBA has also noted that the event is cashless and that attendees are welcome to bring their own water, as food and beverages will not be available for purchase on-site.
Start your custom home conversation with Embarq
After touring Embarq’s 2026 HomeShowExpo home, the best next step is a conversation.
Whether you are ready to build soon or simply beginning to imagine what a custom home could look like for your family, Embarq’s team can help you understand budget, timing, homesite options, floor plan direction, and the decisions that shape a successful build.
The 2026 HomeShowExpo is your chance to see Embarq’s craftsmanship in person. Dig It gives you the story behind the build. Together, they offer a clear look at what Embarq values most: thoughtful design, trusted partnerships, and homes crafted with purpose.
