Baton Rouge Flood Contractors and Local Resources: Your Complete Directory

After the 2016 Baton Rouge flood, thousands of out-of-state contractors descended on East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston parishes seeking repair and mitigation work. Many were legitimate; many were not. Homeowners who hired unlicensed, uninsured contractors — often signing contracts under emotional duress in the weeks after the flood — discovered months later that work was incomplete, substandard, or that the contractor had simply taken payment and vanished. Knowing how to find, verify, and hire licensed Louisiana contractors — and understanding which government resources are available — is as important as knowing what work needs to be done.

Types of Flood Work and Who to Hire

How to Verify Licensed Contractors in Louisiana

Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)

The LSLBC is the primary licensing authority for contractors in Louisiana. Before hiring anyone for flood mitigation, repair, or elevation work, verify their license:

• lslbc.louisiana.gov — online license verification portal. Search by contractor name, company, or license number. Verify the license is current and not suspended or under disciplinary action.
• A valid LSLBC license is required for all commercial work and for residential work exceeding $75,000 (new construction) or $7,500 (home improvement). Any contractor claiming to do significant flood work without an LSLBC license is a serious red flag.

Louisiana State Plumbing Board

Backwater valve installation, sewer line work, and any connection to municipal systems requires a licensed Louisiana plumber:

• lspb.louisiana.gov — verify plumbing license status and plumber classification (master, journeyman, restricted)
• A licensed plumber will pull the required EBR Parish plumbing permit for any sewer work — insist on this

Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS)

For elevation certificates, LOMA applications, or drainage engineering:

• lapels.com — verify PE and PLS license status for engineers and surveyors preparing elevation certificates or engineering drainage solutions

EBR Parish Permit Verification

Any contractor doing structural or plumbing work in East Baton Rouge Parish must pull permits from the EBR Department of Public Works. Unpermitted flood repair work can void insurance claims, create problems at sale, and leave you with no recourse if work fails:

• EBR Parish Department of Public Works: 225-389-3119
• Permits can be verified through EBR Parish's online portal or by calling the Development Department

Vetting Questions to Ask Before Hiring

For plumbing and backwater valve work:

• What is your Louisiana plumbing license number and classification?
• Will you pull an EBR Parish plumbing permit?
• What type of backwater valve are you installing — inline gate or flapper-type — and why is it appropriate for my pipe material and size?
• Do you carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation in Louisiana?

For waterproofing and foundation work:

• What is your LSLBC license number and is it current?
• What is the specific mechanism causing water entry in my home — hydrostatic pressure, surface runoff, slab penetration, or drainage failure?
• Are you recommending interior drain tile, crawl space encapsulation, exterior excavation, or flood vents — and why is that specific solution right for my home type?
• Is your warranty transferable if I sell the home?
• Are your restoration technicians IICRC-certified?

Red flags that should end the conversation immediately: Pressure to sign same day; request for more than 50% upfront before work begins; inability or refusal to provide an LSLBC license number; no physical Louisiana business address; unmarked vehicles with out-of-state plates following a major flood event.

EBR Parish Emergency and Floodplain Contacts

EBR Parish Department of Public Works — Drainage Division

• Phone: 225-389-3119
• Function: Drainage system questions, drainage permit applications, flood zone/FEMA map questions, CDFE information, floodplain development permits, EBR permit verification
• Report drainage system blockages or failures immediately — creates a documented record

EBR Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

• Website: brla.gov — OHSEP
• Sign up for Baton Rouge Alert emergency notification system for real-time flood watches, warnings, and evacuation orders
• Manages coordination with GOHSEP for post-disaster assistance programs

Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)

• Website: gohsep.la.gov
• Administers FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grants in Louisiana
• Manages the Restore Louisiana program and similar post-disaster recovery programs
• Hotline: 1-866-735-2001 (after declared disasters)

Louisiana and Federal Financial Assistance Programs

EBR Parish Voluntary Home Buyout Program

Since 2016, East Baton Rouge Parish has used FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to purchase flood-prone properties from willing sellers. The acquired properties are typically cleared and converted to green space that absorbs future storm runoff. This is a voluntary program — you are not required to sell. If your home has flooded repeatedly or is located in a deep Zone AE floodplain area where elevation is cost-prohibitive, contact EBR Parish's Hazard Mitigation Office (225-389-3119) to ask about current buyout eligibility and program funding status.

Immediate Response Checklist After a Flood Event

1. Do not enter sewer backup water: Category 3 black water contains raw sewage and requires waterproof boots, gloves, and eye protection at minimum. An N95 mask is required for extended exposure.
2. Shut off electricity at the main panel if accessible without entering water.
3. Document everything before any cleanup: Photograph and video every room, every damaged item, every water line mark. Do not discard anything until your insurance adjuster has documented it.
4. Report drainage failures to EBR Public Works at 225-389-3119: Creates an official record needed for future program eligibility.
5. Call your insurer within 24–48 hours to report a claim. If you have NFIP flood coverage, request an adjuster visit.
6. Engage IICRC-certified restoration within 24–48 hours: Mold begins growing within this window. Find certified firms at iicrc.org/find-a-pro. Local Baton Rouge restoration providers include SERVPRO of Baton Rouge, Paul Davis Restoration, Rytech of Baton Rouge, and 911 Restoration of Louisiana.
7. Register with FEMA if a presidential disaster is declared: disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA.

Take Action Before the Next Event

Before engaging any contractor, use our Free Flood Risk Assessment to get a prioritized mitigation plan for your specific property. It gives you a clear brief to bring into contractor conversations — so you know what you need before someone tells you what they want to sell. Review the Flood Proofing Your Baton Rouge Home guide for specific mitigation strategies, and the Baton Rouge Flood Insurance Guide to close your coverage gaps before the next storm system develops over the Gulf. Use the Cost Calculator to budget your mitigation work.