BigRentz Equipment Rental Service Areas in Louisiana

With its famous bayous and below-sea-level topography, Louisiana presents many challenges for building jobs. And, that’s on top of state codes that regulate the industry. Before taking on a project in Louisiana, you should have a good idea of what legal hurdles to expect.

General contractors in Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Licensing for Contractors (LSBLC). There are four types of licenses available: Commercial license, Residential license, Mold remediation license, Home improvement registration. Information about each can be found on the LSBLC website. There, you can download the right applications and learn more about the process. Various types of work require trade exams. On these tests, you will need a passing score of 70. There is also a Business and Law open-book online exam that covers material from the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management. Exams for major classifications allow four hours to take the test. Most sub-classifications and specialty classifications require two-hour exams.

You should also check with parish and city governments for local regulations and resources. For instance, in the city of Lafayette, Codes Division of the Planning, Zoning, & Development Department handles how to apply the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Codes. If you plan to build in Lafayette, be sure you get the right commercial or residential building permits.

Soil in Louisiana ranges from sandy deposits to heavy clays. In fact, the state has over 300 different kinds of soil. Many of them are classed as alluvium (deposited by rivers) or loess (deposited by the wind). Because the state gets a lot of rain each year, the soil tends to be slightly or moderately acidic. Although this level of acidity is great for soil nutrients, rainfall also tends to leach nutrients from the soil. Vertisols, the heavy clay soils, can be especially tricky for construction. This type of soil is very fertile, but the clay expands as it soaks up moisture and cracks when it dries. These features make it hard to build foundations, roads, and pipelines.

Beyond its effects on the soil, Louisiana’s wet climate can cause other issues for building projects. For instance, you will likely need to store your equipment indoors when it’s not in use, to keep it in good condition. Also, because summers are long, hot, and humid, operator comfort should be taken into account. Whether you rent or buy, look for equipment that offers air conditioning. On the other hand, you can time your project for winter, which brings milder weather. Before starting a new project, take the time to gauge the equipment you already have and the equipment you need. If the two lists don’t match up, think about renting whatever you’re missing. Unless you expect to use the equipment in question often, renting is often the better choice. You can rent everything from excavators and backhoe loaders to golf carts and aerial lifts, including boom lifts, manlifts, scissor lifts, and forklifts, to save yourself the cost and hassle of buying your own.