What does Louisiana law tell a homeowner before a home job?

Louisiana earns a B in the 2026 Home Job Readiness Grade, with 6 of 8 possible points on 4 scored measures. The grade covers what state law and official state pages tell a homeowner about deposits, written contracts, cancelling and an online contractor record.

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Reviewed 24 October 2026. Researched by the InstaBids editorial team.

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Louisiana Home Job Readiness Grade 2026: B (6 of 8 points)

This grade is a compilation of statute text and official state pages, reviewed 24 October 2026. It is not legal advice.

How did each measure score?

Statutory deposit limit: 0 of 2 points

No statutory deposit limit was found in the official sources reviewed 22 October 2026. Not found means not found in the sources checked; it is not an official statement that the state has no cap.

Official sources reviewed: source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4

Written-contract rule for home-improvement work: 2 of 2 points

A state statute or regulation requires a written contract for home-improvement or residential work within its scope, and lists what it must contain. The scope, including any dollar threshold or licence condition, is in the quoted words below.

§2159. Written contract required; claims of unlicensed persons A. Every agreement to perform contracting services that requires licensure or registration as defined by this Chapter shall include all of the following documents and information: (1) The complete agreement between the parties, including a clear description of any other documents which are or shall be incorporated into the agreement. (2) The full names, addresses, and the license number of the contractor. (3) A description of the work to be performed.

Source: La. R.S. 37:2159(A), read 14 October 2026

(4)(a) The total amount agreed to be paid for the work to be performed under the contract. (b) An approximation of the cost expected to be borne by the owner under a cost-plus contract or a time-and-materials contract. (5) The signature of all parties. (6) Current certificates of insurance providing proof of workers' compensation coverage and the amount of liability coverage maintained for any licensee for which insurance is a requirement.

Source: La. R.S. 37:2159(A)(4)-(6), read 14 October 2026

Statutory right to cancel: 2 of 2 points

A state statute gives a right to cancel that reaches home-improvement contracts or sales made at the home within the scope and dollar limits in the quoted words below.

§3538. Consumer's right to cancel A. Except as provided in subsection (E) of this section, in addition to any right otherwise to revoke an offer, the consumer has the right to cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after the day on which the consumer signs an agreement or offer to purchase. B. Cancellation occurs when the consumer gives written notice of cancellation to the seller at the address stated in the agreement or offer to purchase.

Source: La. R.S. 9:3538(A)-(B), read 14 October 2026

Online public record of the state's home-contractor credential: 2 of 2 points

The state publishes an online public record of its statewide home-contractor credential. A lookup is an optional public-record step.

Additionally, you can search by contractor name; license number; city/town; parish; and qualifying party.

Source: lslbc.gov, read 22 October 2026

Is there a federal rule too?

Federal rule, not scored here: 16 CFR 429.1(a), the FTC door-to-door sales rule, covers a sale the seller personally solicits that is agreed at a place other than the seller's place of business, for $25 or more at the buyer's home or $130 or more elsewhere, with exceptions in 16 CFR 429.0. For those sales it requires this statement in the buyer's contract or receipt:

You, the buyer, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction.

Source: 16 CFR 429.1(a), eCFR, read 22 October 2026

What can a homeowner check in Louisiana before hiring?

The state agency page that leads to the public licence or registration lookup: lslbc.gov, read 22 October 2026. A lookup is an optional public-record step.
State consumer-protection office: Louisiana Attorney General, read 24 October 2026.
Ask for the job scope, the deposit and the cancel terms in writing before you sign, and keep a copy.

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Louisiana Home Job Readiness Grade 2026: B, points by measure

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<figure><img src="https://instabids.ai/fl/data/home-job-readiness-grade/louisiana.svg" alt="Louisiana Home Job Readiness Grade 2026: B, points by measure" width="640"><figcaption><a href="https://instabids.ai/us/home-job-readiness-grade/louisiana">InstaBids</a></figcaption></figure>

All 50 states and the District of Columbia, and how the grade works