Remodeling an existing home or building a new home can be stressful. The State of Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors has devised the following checklist to help homeowners when hiring and/or working with a contractor:

1. Hire only Louisiana State Licensed or Registered Contractors. Commercial projects costing more than $50,000 require state license. Residential new construction of single family homes requires state license. Home improvement and/or remodeling costing more than $7,500 requires state registration. Hazardous materials or mold remediation costing more than $1 requires state license.
   
   
2. Verify contractor license or registration number at 1-800-256-1392 or click here and search for contractor license/registration number.
   
   
3. Get at least three local area references and review contractor experience.
   
   
4. Get at least three bids on the work to be performed.
   
   
5. Get a written contract, and don’t sign anything until you understand the terms of your contract.
   
   
6. Pay 10% down, or $1,000, whichever is less, depending on project size and reasonable starting cost requirements.
   
   
7. Don’t let payments get ahead of work completed. Keep a record of all payments.
   
   
8. Don’t make the final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
   
   
9. Never pay cash.
   
   
10. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your construction project.

Source:
State of Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors