Bathroom Remodeling in Louisiana

The median home in Louisiana was built in 1983, and about 46% were built before 1980. Many homes of this age still have their first kitchen or bathroom. Decide early whether you want to move fixtures, since that changes the permit and the scope. Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the company is EPA lead-safe certified.

About 58% of Louisiana's counties are in climate zone 2A (hot, humid), based on the U.S. Department of Energy's county map. In a damp climate, a bathroom exhaust fan that vents outside (not into the attic) helps prevent mold. Check your own county's zone, since conditions differ across the state.

About 65% of homes in Louisiana are single-family houses, and about 67% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits or changing walls usually needs a permit; swapping fixtures in place usually does not. In Louisiana, building permits are issued by cities and counties, so the rules depend on where the home is. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors licenses or registers residential building and home improvement contractors. Look up the company's license or registration before you sign.