General Contractor in New Orleans
Licensed Expertise. Local Knowledge.
When your home needs more space, updated systems, or careful restoration, you need a general contractor who understands the unique challenges of New Orleans neighborhoods. At 504 Construction, we bring licensed expertise, local knowledge, and precise craftsmanship to every project, from Uptown additions to French Quarter restorations. Whether you're expanding your home, renovating your kitchen, restoring historic details, or replacing your roof, we deliver quality work that respects your home's character and your project timeline.
Why Homeowners Choose 504 Construction
Licensed, Insured, and Local to the Greater New Orleans Area
​
504 Construction is a fully licensed and insured general contractor serving New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and surrounding areas. Our licensing ensures we meet Louisiana's stringent requirements for construction knowledge, financial responsibility, and professional standards. Our comprehensive insurance protects you, your property, and our team throughout every project. But beyond credentials, we're locals who understand this region. We know New Orleans construction, the soil conditions, the historic building methods, the climate demands, and the neighborhood characteristics that influence how projects should be approached. This local expertise means we anticipate challenges, plan appropriately, and deliver results that work for our unique environment.
Historic Craftsmanship and Code-Compliant Methods
​
New Orleans has one of the most significant collections of historic architecture in America, and many of our projects involve homes-built decades or even centuries ago. We respect this heritage. Our team understands traditional construction methods, historic materials, and period-appropriate details that maintain your home's architectural integrity. At the same time, we ensure all work meets current building codes and modern performance standards. Whether we're restoring original woodwork or building a new addition that complements your historic home, we balance preservation with functionality.
Commercial-Grade Project Management for Residential Timelines
​
We bring commercial construction's rigorous project management to residential work. This means detailed scheduling that keeps your project on track, clear communication at every phase, coordination among all trades and suppliers, proactive problem-solving before issues cause delays, and systematic quality control throughout construction. Our commercial-grade approach eliminates the chaos and uncertainty that plague many residential projects. You know what to expect, when to expect it, and who to contact with questions.
Transparent Estimates and Change-Order Control
​
Construction costs can feel unpredictable, but they don't have to be. We provide very detailed, transparent estimates that break down costs by category, explain allowances for materials you'll select, and identify potential variables upfront. During construction, we control change orders carefully. If unforeseen conditions require scope changes, we document them clearly, explain your options, and get your approval before proceeding.
Our General Contracting Services in New Orleans
Home Additions and Extensions
​
Growing families, home offices, and aging parents often mean you need more space. Rather than moving, many New Orleans homeowners choose to expand their existing homes through additions. Our additions integrate seamlessly with your existing home, matching architectural details, roofline, and finishes so the new space feels like it was always there.
Addition projects require careful coordination of multiple systems. We manage HVAC extensions to heat and cool new spaces efficiently, electrical service upgrades and distribution to new areas, plumbing connections when additions include bathrooms or kitchens, and structural integration that ensures your addition is properly supported and tied into your existing foundation and framing. We also navigate the permitting process, obtaining required approvals from the City of New Orleans and coordinating inspections throughout construction.
Whole-Home and Kitchen/Bath Renovations
​
Renovation projects transform outdated spaces into beautiful, functional rooms that meet your current lifestyle needs. Our renovation expertise includes kitchen renovations with custom cabinetry, quality appliances, and layouts that improve workflow, bathroom remodels creating spa-like retreats with modern fixtures and finishes, whole-home renovations updating multiple rooms with cohesive design, and interior reconfiguration removing walls, adding doorways, or reimagining space usage.
We understand that renovation projects disrupt your daily life, so we plan carefully to minimize inconvenience. For occupied homes, we can phase work to maintain livable spaces, establish dust barriers and cleaning protocols, coordinate deliveries and work hours to respect your schedule; and communicate clearly about what to expect each day. We also work closely with designers and architects, or we can connect you with trusted professionals in our network.
Historic Restoration and HDLC Coordination
​
New Orleans' historic districts require special expertise. If your home is located in a Historic District Landmark Commission (HDLC) jurisdiction or Vieux Carré Commission (VCC) area, renovation and restoration work requires approval to ensure changes respect the district's historic character.
Our historic restoration services include façade restoration that preserves or restores original architectural details, window restoration and replacement with historically appropriate units, millwork repair and replication, masonry and plaster repair, and structural stabilization that maintains both safety and historic character. We develop project scopes that clearly articulate proposed work, prepare documentation for HDLC or VCC review, attend commission meetings to present projects, and incorporate any required modifications into final plans.
Roofing and Storm Restoration
​
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against New Orleans' intense sun, heavy rain, and occasional hurricanes. We provide comprehensive roofing services including roof repairs addressing leaks and damage, complete roof replacements with quality materials and proper installation, flat roof systems using modern membranes suited to our climate, steep-slope roofing with architectural shingles or metal panels, and FORTIFIED roofing upgrades that strengthen your home against hurricane damage and may qualify for insurance discounts.
After storms, we help homeowners navigate insurance claims by documenting damage thoroughly, providing detailed estimates, communicating with adjusters, and ensuring repairs address all storm-related issues. Our storm restoration experience means we understand what insurance will cover and how to present claims effectively. Whether you need emergency repairs after a storm or planned replacement of an aging roof, we deliver quality roofing work that protects your home for decades.
Our General Contractor Process
1. Consultation and Site Walk
Your project begins with a conversation. We discuss your goals, your budget, your timeline, and any concerns you have. Then we visit your property for a thorough site walk, examining existing conditions, taking measurements, identifying potential challenges, and discussing possibilities. This initial consultation is free and gives us the information needed to develop an accurate proposal.
2. Detailed Scope, Budget, and Timeline
Based on our consultation and site walk, we prepare a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work, estimated costs broken down by category, project timeline with key milestones, and materials and methods we'll use. We explain this proposal clearly, answer all your questions, and revise as needed until you're confident moving forward. Once you approve, we prepare a comprehensive contract that protects both parties and clearly defines all project terms.
3. Permitting, HDLC, or VCC Coordination When Applicable
We handle all required permits, submitting plans and documentation to the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits. For projects in historic districts, we prepare submissions for HDLC or VCC review, attend commission meetings, and obtain required permits or certifications. We coordinate with structural engineers, architects, and other professionals as needed for plan preparation.
4. Build, Inspections, and Punch List
Construction begins with a pre-construction meeting where we review the schedule, introduce key team members, and discuss logistics. Throughout construction, we manage all trades, maintain quality control, keep the site clean and safe, and communicate regularly about progress. We coordinate required inspections at appropriate project milestones, ensuring work meets code requirements. As construction nears completion, we develop a punch list of final items, complete all punch list work, and conduct a final walkthrough with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.
5. Warranty and Post-Project Care
Our work is backed by warranties covering workmanship and materials. We provide documentation of all warranties, explain what's covered and for how long, and remain available to address any post-project questions or concerns. Our goal is your complete satisfaction not just at project completion, but for years to come.
Permits, Historic Districts, and Doing It Right in New Orleans
Construction in New Orleans requires navigating city regulations and, for many properties, historic preservation requirements. Understanding these rules helps projects proceed smoothly and legally.
Building permits are required for most construction work, including additions, structural changes, major electrical or plumbing upgrades, and significant roofing projects. We help determine what your project requires, coordinate with the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits, and obtain all necessary approvals before work begins.
Historic district approvals are required for exterior work on properties in HDLC or VCC jurisdictions. These commissions review proposed changes to ensure they're appropriate for the historic district. Work requiring approval includes exterior alterations, additions visible from public streets, window and door replacements, and roofing material changes. We have extensive experience preparing historic district submissions and working within preservation guidelines.
Permits, Historic Districts, and Doing It Right in New Orleans
We're proud to serve neighborhoods throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Our portfolio includes projects across the region:
-
Uptown New Orleans: Historic home additions, kitchen and bath renovations, and façade restorations that honor the area's architectural heritage while modernizing interiors for contemporary living.
-
Lakeview: Whole-home renovations and additions for families seeking more space, often incorporating elevated designs that address flood resilience.
-
Marigny and Bywater: Shotgun renovations, historic restorations, and careful additions that respect these neighborhoods' distinctive character and preservation requirements.
-
French Quarter Area: HDLC-approved façade work, interior renovations within historic structures, and mechanical system upgrades that improve comfort while preserving historic fabric.
-
CBD and Warehouse District: Condo renovations and loft conversions that transform historic commercial spaces into modern residences.
-
Metairie and Kenner: Home additions, kitchen and bath remodels, and roofing projects for suburban homeowners seeking quality craftsmanship and clear communication.
Each neighborhood presents unique opportunities and challenges. Our familiarity with New Orleans area communities helps us deliver work that fits your home and your location.
Financing, Insurance, and Transparent Pricing
Understanding project costs and payment structures helps you plan confidently. Our estimates are extremely detailed and thorough. We clearly identify allowances for items you'll select like fixtures, flooring, tile, appliances, so you understand what's included in base pricing and what might change based on your selections.
Our payment schedule typically includes a deposit to begin work, progress payments tied to project milestones, and final payment upon completion and your satisfaction. This structure ensures we have resources to keep your project moving while protecting you from paying for incomplete work.
For insurance claim projects, particularly storm-related roofing work, we help by documenting damage thoroughly with photos and detailed descriptions, providing estimates in formats insurance adjusters expect, communicating with adjusters to explain scope and pricing, and working with you to ensure all covered damage is addressed.
We also recognize that construction projects represent significant investments. While we don't provide financing directly, we can connect you with lenders who specialize in home improvement loans and can discuss financing options and common approaches that might work for your situation. While we are not a lender, we regularly collaborate with clients using home equity, renovation loans, and insurance proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for my renovation or addition in New Orleans? Most construction work in New Orleans requires permits. This includes additions, structural changes like removing walls, electrical and plumbing work, and roof replacements. Minor repairs like painting, cabinet replacement without plumbing changes, and some finish work typically don't require permits. We evaluate your specific project during our consultation and handle all required permitting as part of our services.
Will you help with HDLC or VCC approvals if my home is in a historic district? Yes. We have extensive experience with both HDLC and VCC processes. We prepare all required documentation, submit applications, attend commission meetings to present your project, and incorporate any required modifications into final plans.
What is the difference between a renovation and a restoration? Renovation updates or modernizes a space, often changing finishes, layouts, or systems to meet current needs and preferences. Restoration preserves or returns a building to its historic appearance, using period-appropriate materials and methods to maintain architectural integrity. Many projects combine elements of both: restoring significant historic features while renovating other areas for modern functionality.
Are you licensed and insured, and what warranties do you offer? 504 Construction is fully licensed as a Louisiana general contractor and carries comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. We provide warranties covering our workmanship, and we pass through manufacturers' warranties on materials and equipment we install. Specific warranty terms are detailed in your contract, and we remain available to address any post-project concerns.
How long does a typical addition take from design to final inspection? Addition timelines vary based on size and complexity, but typical projects take three to six months from initial design through final inspection. This includes design and permitting, construction, and final inspections and punch list. Historic district approvals or complex structural requirements may extend timelines. We provide specific timeline estimates for your project during our proposal phase.
What roofing systems do you recommend for our climate? New Orleans' climate demands roofing systems that handle intense heat, heavy rain, high winds, and high humidity. We typically recommend architectural shingles with proper ventilation for steep-slope roofs, TPO or modified bitumen membranes for flat roofs, metal roofing for durability and wind resistance, and FORTIFIED construction methods for maximum storm protection. We discuss options specific to your home, budget, and goals during our consultation.
Work with a Local General Contractor in New Orleans
Whether you're planning an addition, renovating your kitchen, restoring historic details, or replacing your roof, 504 Construction brings the expertise, professionalism, and local knowledge that New Orleans homeowners trust. We serve the Greater New Orleans area including Metairie, Kenner, and Harahan with the same commitment to quality craftsmanship and clear communication.
Schedule your free consultation today. Call 504 Construction at (504) 350-0770 or contact us online to discuss your project. Let us show you why New Orleans homeowners choose us as their general contractor for additions, renovations, historic restoration, and roofing.