So, you’ve decided to build a home in Louisiana? First of all, from your soon-to-be family at Andries Builders—congratulations! You’re planting roots in one of the most charming, flavorful, and culturally rich places in the South. Crawfish boils and zydeco abound. But before we break ground and you start dreaming about front porches and sweet tea, there’s one thing we can’t avoid: permits.
Yep. The “p-word.” Necessary? Absolutely. Confusing? Sometimes. But don’t worry—we’re breaking it all down so you can go from blueprint to backyard BBQ with confidence.
Why Permits Matter (No, Really)
Permits are basically the city’s way of saying: “Hey, we like what you’re doing, but let’s make sure it’s safe, legal, and won’t accidentally lead to an exploding water heater or collapsing carport.”
Getting the proper permits ensures that your home:
- Complies with local building codes
- Is safe for future occupants (you!)
- Won’t get slapped with surprise fines or stop-work orders
- Can be resold down the line without legal nightmares
So yeah—they’re kind of a big deal.
Permits You’ll (Probably) Need in Lafayette
Exact permit requirements can vary depending on your specific project, but for a new home build in Lafayette, here’s a general list of what we’ve seen required:
- Building Permit
This is the big kahuna. It covers structural work and is a must for any new construction. You’ll need to submit plans, and the city will review them for code compliance. - Electrical Permit
Wiring a whole house? Yeah, that’s gonna need its own paperwork. A licensed electrician will usually pull this one. - Plumbing Permit
Every faucet, toilet, and tub needs to be safely hooked up. Permits ensure no one ends up with a flooded kitchen on move-in day. - Mechanical (HVAC) Permit
Air conditioning is non-negotiable in Louisiana. This permit covers heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. - Driveway/Sidewalk Permit
If your new home includes a driveway or any public sidewalk connections, this one's for you. - Land Disturbance/Grading Permit
If your build requires digging or major earth-moving, the city wants to make sure you’re not creating drainage nightmares for your neighbors.
Who Handles It—You or Andries Builders?
Working with a licensed home builder like us (and we highly recommend you do), we take care of permits for you. So instead of having your head down swimming in paperwork, you can keep it up to the sky imagining all the things you’ll be enjoying in your new home.
Reassurance from Your Permit-Loving Pals
Yes, permits are paperwork-y. Yes, they involve some back-and-forth and fees. But skipping them? We wouldn’t even think about it. The risks to your safety, wallet, and future resale value are just not worth it.
We at Andries Builders do it right. We do it by the book. And soon enough, you’ll be sipping sweet tea on your brand-new porch with not a worry in the world (except maybe which color to paint the shutters).