1. Louisiana, October 30: liability minimum $500,000, plumbing moves to the board
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) released a memo for license holders and building officials. Under Act 757 of 2026, in effect since August 1, 2026, minimum liability coverage rises from $100,000 to $500,000 for residential construction and its subclassifications, mold remediation and home improvement applicants. The same act bans certain assignments of property insurance benefits and adds violations for permit misrepresentation and for not paying for materials or services after receiving enough money.
Under Act 908 of 2026, from January 1, 2027, plumbing licensing moves from the State Plumbing Board to LSLBC. Existing apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers get equivalent licenses, but a business that offers plumbing must hold a plumbing contractor license. Also from January 1, 2027, a $10 commission fee applies to designated types of local permits (Act 881). The memo repeats earlier rules too: you must do business in the exact name on your license, and residential roofing jobs of $7,500 or more need the Residential Roofing or Residential Construction classification.
Why a small contractor should care: if you work in Louisiana, a $100,000 policy may no longer be enough, and an estimate or contract under a name that differs from your license is a violation. If you are a GC, your plumbing subs need the right contractor license next year, not only a personal plumber's license.
What to do this week: ask your insurance agent for a certificate that shows your liability limit, and ask the board (225-765-2301) how the new minimum applies to your existing license. Check that the company name on your estimates matches your license exactly.
2. September: prices up 3.6% in a year, saving rate down to 3.8%
The PCE price index rose 0.5% in September and 3.6% over the year; without food and energy it rose 3.1%, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said on October 29. Spending rose 0.5%, but income only 0.2%, and the personal saving rate fell to 3.8%. NAHB notes that real spending was unchanged, that the 3.6% is the fastest pace since May, and that the saving rate is the lowest since November 2022.
Why it matters: households are paying more for the same things and have a thinner cash cushion. A homeowner who could pay for a bathroom from savings last year may now need to split the payment or use a loan.
What to do this week: on your next larger estimates, offer a payment schedule by stage instead of one big payment, and say plainly what is due when.
Where WorkTime CRM helps with this
When you send work to a sub, the sub signs online and uploads their W-9 and insurance certificate in their own portal, so you can check the coverage before the job starts. Your own certificate and license go in Settings → Company → Documents, and the expiration date is read for you. If you add a financing link in Settings → Company → Payments → Financing for Clients, every estimate from $1,000 shows the client a "See financing options" button.
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