Recently, there have been news stories about a subdivision which was abandoned by an out-of-town developer and builder who went bankrupt, causing all kinds of problems for the current residents. This unfortunate situation is frustrating for everyone involved, but if you are thinking of building a new home, do not be dismayed. This circumstance can be entirely avoided by ensuring that your contractor is a LOCAL builder, a member of the Acadian Home Builders Association.

The Acadian Home Builders Association has a long history and outstanding reputation in the community. Our annual events – The Original Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show, Parade of Homes and Home for the Holidays – are attended by thousands each year and allow us to continue our mission of promoting professionalism and ethical business practices in the home building industry while providing quality housing that creates value for the homeowner and the community.

The current membership of AHBA includes 657 companies, 223 of which are residential builders. The rest are businesses which support the housing industry, everything from carpenters to cabinet makers, roofers, flooring suppliers, mortgage lenders, real estate sales professionals and more.

Because of Acadiana’s outstanding economy and resilience against the housing crisis faced by most of the country, some out of state builders have moved into our area to capitalize on our good fortune. These companies often use national suppliers and bring labor from other states, making it easy for them to offer low home prices. While efficiency and price might make the big box builders appealing, there are some major advantages to using a local contractor.

Here to Stay

When you are looking to build or buy a new home, it is important to ensure the services you require are performed by an expert who is familiar with the special building needs of Louisiana—hurricanes, high humidity, etc.—and here to stay long after the project is finished. All builder members of AHBA have businesses based in Acadiana, ensuring they can be easily reached years down the road if you have a question about your home. Once the housing market begins to pick up in other areas of the country, some of the national builders may lose interest in Acadiana and close up shop.

Licensed, Educated, Insured

AHBA builders are licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, and as such, they have passed a test certifying that they are knowledgeable about all the elements of building a home. Each year, builders must earn six hours of continuing education credits to maintain their understanding of the industry as well as their license. They do so by attending classes on building issues and techniques which are offered to them by AHBA and other Louisiana home builder associations. Builder members of AHBA are also required to carry workman’s compensation insurance as well as general liability, which protect you if any unfortunate incident should happen on your project.

Quality Is Built In

Building with local companies who construct only a few houses per year ensures higher quality, attention to detail, and more personal service. Smaller volume builders have time to visit each job site on a regular basis and ensure installations are done correctly and to the home buyer’s specifications. They are also readily

available to their clients, answering questions in a prompt fashion and developing close, lasting relationships.

Growing Our Economy

Local builders use local suppliers for their materials and hire subcontractors who are also based in Acadiana. This means dollars spent in our community stay in our community, and jobs are created for our neighbors.

Choosing the right builder is a very important and personal decision. When you are ready to construct your dream home, consider the benefits of choosing a local builder who is a member of the Acadian Home Builders Association. Visit the AHABA Member Directory.