Louisiana § RS 37:2159 - Written contract required; claims of unlicensed persons

§ RS 37:2159. Written contract required; claims of unlicensed persons

            A. Every agreement to perform contracting services that requires licensure or registration as defined by this Chapter shall include all of the following documents and information:

            (1) The complete agreement between the parties, including a clear description of any other documents which are or shall be incorporated into the agreement.

            (2) The full names, addresses, and the license number of the contractor.

            (3) A description of the work to be performed.

            (4)(a) The total amount agreed to be paid for the work to be performed under the contract.

            (b) An approximation of the cost expected to be borne by the owner under a cost-plus contract or a time-and-materials contract.

            (5) The signature of all parties.

            (6) Current certificates of insurance providing proof of workers' compensation coverage and the amount of liability coverage maintained for any licensee for which insurance is a requirement.

            B. At the time of signing, all parties shall be furnished with a copy of the signed contract. No work shall begin prior to the signing of the contract by all parties.

            C. Contracts which fail to comply with the requirements of this Section shall not be invalid solely because of noncompliance.

            D. No contractor who fails to obtain a license as provided for in this Chapter shall be entitled to file a statement of claim or a statement of lien or privilege with respect to monetary sums allegedly owed under any contract, whether express, implied, or otherwise, when any provision of this Chapter requires that the contractor possess a license in order to have properly entered into such a contract.

            Added by Acts 1956, No. 233, §9; Amended by Acts 1964, No. 113, §9; Acts 1976, No. 82, §1, eff. July 8, 1976; Acts 1984, No. 915, §1; Acts 1985, No. 599, §2; Acts 1988, No. 635, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2024, No. 178, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.