Building in New Orleans (Metairie, River Ridge: real estate, custom home, neighborhoods)

[cabezon1]

Hi, I'm hoping to build a custom home in New Orleans in the Northshore area. I haven't had much luck in my research. I found a few subdivisions The Sancturary, Beau Chene, Grande Maison, Ashton Plantation and River Ridge, but theres hardly any information available.

I need information on any builders or new developments/subdivisions in the New Orleans area (I'm not set on Northshore and i'm open to suggestions). I'm between the $350 to $400 range.

I desperately need to be pointed in the right direction!!! HELP?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

If you use an architect, they will be the best ones to recommend contractors. Mine recommended about 6 or 7 different firms that they had worked with before and felt comfortable recommending. They will also know where subdivisions are.

[bustaduke]

Ashton Plantation is on the west bank in St. Charles Parish and in a nice neighborhood. And with I-310 it is a short drive into Metairie and New Orleans. Also the developer of Ashton Plantation should have a list of builders in the area. What you can also do is drive through the neighborhood on a weekend when people are out and ask them who they used and were they happy with them.

River Ridge is in Jefferson Parish and as its name, it's on the Mississippi River. They have some good neighborhoods but sometimes the traffic is bad getting around.

You have to watch what neighborhoods you pick on the north shore because a lot of them will only let you use one or two builders and even though the houses are large, all of them tend to look the same. This is why my wife and I purchased property north of Abita Springs. Took us several years to find our land because we still wanted restrictions but we wanted to be able to build ourselves.

PM me because I have the name of a contractor on the north shore that you should stay clear of. I don't want to post his name on forum, but I can tell you that if you use him, he will ********* and most likely run off with your money without completing the job. I don't know how this guy has been able to stay in business with all the people he screwed.

Also if you are looking to purchase property on the north shore and hire a builder yourselves most real estate agents wont waste time showing you land. I don't know why but is seems like they only want to show houses. We found a good agent after going through a few and he will treat you great.

busta