How to Choose a Paver Installer in Kenner and Metairie

Written by Big Easy Paver Patios

What Should You Check Before Choosing a Paver Company in Kenner, LA?

Quick Answer: Start with the paperwork, then read the quote for what happens underground. Look the company up on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) search and ask which license or registration applies to your job. Confirm who handles permits for your address, too. Then compare quotes on base depth, compaction, edge restraint, and drainage. Kenner and Metairie sit on the same soft delta soil, so the underground work decides whether a patio or driveway stays flat long after the crew packs up.

This is general information, not legal advice. The licensing board and your local permit office have the final say on what applies to a specific project.

How Do Louisiana License Rules Apply to Paver Work?

Louisiana’s contractor licensing law, as compiled by the board in August 2025, applies to home improvement work on a residence starting at a $7,500 project value, and it sets separate license categories for larger residential construction. The board’s documents word the upper dollar limits differently from one section to the next, so check the current category with the board instead of relying on a single number. A few points to keep in mind:

• There are exemptions. The law exempts some people from home improvement licensure, including a homeowner who does the work on their own residence and anyone who works exclusively in landscaping.
• Ask directly. Ask which license or registration the company holds and why it covers your job, then check the number yourself.
• Use the search. The LSLBC site lets you look up a company by name, license number, city, parish, or license type.
• Call the board if it matters. The board lists its Baton Rouge phone number as 225-765-2301.

What’s Different About Hiring in Kenner Versus Metairie?

Kenner is an incorporated city. The City of Kenner’s Inspection and Code Enforcement Department processes building permits, and its permits page says a building permit is “necessary on all construction, including pools in and above ground, all portable or prefab buildings, cement work and fences.” Kenner also has licensing rules under its municipal code for tradesmen and companies based in the city and for out-of-state companies, and its application asks for a copy of the state license.

Metairie is unincorporated Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office lists Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, Westwego, Grand Isle, and Jean Lafitte as the parish’s incorporated cities and towns, and Metairie isn’t on that list, so parish offices handle it. For occupational license tax, the Sheriff’s Office says businesses located inside Gretna, Grand Isle, Harahan, Kenner, or Westwego pay that tax directly to the city. If your project is in Metairie, our paver patios in Metairie page covers what we build there.

Driveways add another layer, because the apron sits in the public right-of-way. Our post on driveway permits in Jefferson Parish and Kenner walks through who reviews that work. A good installer knows which side of the city line your house sits on before pricing the job.

Which Questions Separate a Lasting Install From a Redo?

On soft delta soil, a paver job that fails usually fails from the base or from water. That’s why our post on sunken and settled pavers starts there. Ask every company the same questions:

• How deep is the base, and how is it compacted? Look for compaction in lifts, meaning thin layers compacted one at a time.
• Where does the water go? The quote should say which way the surface pitches and where the water ends up.
• What holds the edges? Edge restraint keeps pavers from drifting outward, and edges are where settling often starts.
• What goes in the joints? Joint material affects washout and weeds. See keeping weeds out of paver joints.
• Which pattern, and why? On a driveway, ask why the company chose its layout. Our post on herringbone vs running bond explains the differences.
• Who handles the permit and the Louisiana 811 call? Both belong in the written scope.
• What does the warranty cover? Ask what’s covered and for how long, and get it on paper.
• Can you see proof of insurance? Ask for a current certificate before work starts.

How Do You Compare Paver Quotes Line by Line?

Put quotes side by side and line up the same items: square footage, tear-out of any old concrete, base depth, paver type and thickness, edge restraint, drainage work, and permits. When one number is far below the others, find the line that’s missing or thinner. Base depth and drainage are the first two lines to check.

If you’re replacing an old slab, our guide on whether to resurface or replace cracked concrete helps you decide what to ask for. For the factors behind patio pricing, see what a paver patio costs in New Orleans.

What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Paver Company?

• No written scope, or a scope that never mentions the base
• Pressure to sign the same day
• A request for most of the money before any work starts
• A license number that doesn’t match the company name on the LSLBC search
• No clear answer about where the water will go

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a paver installer need a state license in Louisiana?

It depends on the project value and the type of work, and the law has exemptions. Ask the company which license or registration it holds and check it on the LSLBC search.

Is Metairie its own city?

No. Metairie is unincorporated Jefferson Parish. The Sheriff’s Office list of incorporated cities and towns names Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, Westwego, Grand Isle, and Jean Lafitte.

Do I need a permit for a paver patio in Kenner?

Kenner’s permits page says a building permit is necessary on all construction, and it names cement work specifically. Ask the city about your specific patio before work starts.

How many quotes should I get?

Two or more lets you compare base specifications and drainage plans, which tells you more than the bottom line does. Ask each company the same questions so the answers line up.

What should I look for in an installer’s past work?

Ask to see work that’s a few years old, not just jobs finished last month, because settling and joint loss take time to show. Look closely at the edges and the joints, and check whether water stands on the surface after rain.

Get a Written Estimate in Kenner or Metairie

We’ll measure the space and check the drainage, then put the base specification in a written estimate you can compare line by line.

Start with our Kenner service area page. For specific projects, see paver patios in Kenner and paver driveways in Kenner. In Metairie, visit our Metairie page or call (504) 688-4244 for a free estimate.