Last updated on May 22nd, 2024 at 05:07 am
New Orleans’ unique blend of cultures, including African-American, French, Lowcountry, and Spanish, has significantly influenced the style of the city’s buildings and houses. This influence is especially noticeable in kitchens, which often feature a mix of modern and traditional design elements. These kitchens are essential for preparing and sharing Creole cuisine and other Southern dishes with family and friends.
Remodeling these kitchens to improve their aesthetic and function are New Orleans’ talented general contractors, of which the top ten are listed here. These contractors were chosen and ranked based on their expertise in kitchen remodeling, which is demonstrated by their award-winning projects and press recognition.
If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
10) Pokorn Construction
2307 General Pershing St., New Orleans, LA, 70115
Pokorn Construction is a general contracting firm that actively promotes green building by using eco-friendly techniques to create sustainable homes. The firm’s founder and principal, Christian Pokorn, comes from a long line of woodworkers and craftsmen. A native of Austria, Pokorn brought his love for construction to California, where he worked on some of the most beautiful homes in Big Sur, Carmel, and Pebble Beach. In 2010, Pokorn and his family relocated to New Orleans, where he established Pokorn Construction.
The firm’s renovation specialties include kitchens, bathrooms, and decks. The company also does its own ironwork and woodwork for finishing details. This simple yet artful kitchen features a wraparound layout. The extended island acts as a divider and dining area, while the creative tile backsplash and bar stools give the space pops of color.
9) Titan Construction
4440 Chastant St. Suite D, Metairie, LA 70006
Titan Construction is an architecture-focused general contractor that does expensive teardowns and lavish renovations in Old Metairie, New Orleans, Lakeview, and Kenner. Just as luxurious are the firm’s custom homes, which can be found in New Orleans’ affluent neighborhoods, like Northshore.
The firm was founded by Stephen Fleishmann, who learned the ropes of the construction industry from his parents early in life. Fleishmann’s father was a mechanical engineer, and his mother had a career in real estate and construction. During high school, Fleishmann conducted multiple business ventures, which sharpened his business acumen. Due to his expertise in building, Fleishmann has been featured in Builder Architect.
This Transitional kitchen is part of a whole-house renovation that won third place in the 2018 Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Awards. The firm updated the Magazine Street residence with the aim of maintaining the look and feel of a traditional Uptown New Orleans home. This was achieved by installing a hand-built copper hood and hanging gas lantern pendants over the custom-built, butcher block-topped island.
8) Sweeney Restoration
4333 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125
Sweeney Restoration was established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to provide affordable, quality renovations to homeowners in the New Orleans area. The founder of the firm, Devon Sweeney, noticed that many firms outside of New Orleans were taking advantage of the situation in the city following the hurricane; thus, Sweeney established Sweeney Restoration to serve his community while pursuing his passion for remodeling homes.
Since its inception, Sweeney Restoration has been synonymous with reliable and quality construction services. The firm’s projects have earned Louisiana Excellence in Remodeling Awards from the Louisiana Association of Home Builders for the past three years.
In the project featured here, the firm created a smart solution to separate the kitchen from the rest of the first floor without compromising the open layout. The whole-wall divider, which is made of a light-colored brick, houses the kitchen’s heavy-duty appliances. It also serves as the space’s focal point. A large oak island with a quartzite countertop doubles as a prep space and dining table. This project won first place for a kitchen remodel under $50k in the 2018 Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Awards.
7) Gibson Design + Build
301 30th St., New Orleans, LA 70124
Gibson Design + Build’s “master builder philosophy” combines the builder and the architect into one entity. This facilitates a seamless process for both the firm and client during any type of construction project. From simple boat houses to historic shotgun residences, the firm creates distinct homes and custom renovations throughout the New Orleans and Metairie areas.
The firm is fond of working with unique materials to create one-of-a-kind spaces. Reclaimed cypress, leaded stained glass, and honed quartzite are just some of the materials the firm has utilized. The firm is also skilled at structural reconfigurations and upgrades.
In this Uptown New Orleans home renovation, the firm moved the kitchen to the front of the house to facilitate an open concept. The result is a double parlor that serves as the social space of the shotgun house. It boasts 12-foot ceilings, heart pine floors, and plenty of windows.
6) Lagarde’s Kitchen and Bath Design
800 Metairie Rd. Suite T, Metairie, LA 70005
For nearly half a century, Lagarde’s has designed and furnished the kitchens and bathrooms of the finest homes in New Orleans. As an engineer and chef, Jimmy Lagarde has perfected a signature blend of function and elegance. His world-class kitchens are the choice of renowned celebrity chefs, including Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse.
To this day, time-honored techniques still drive the firm’s process. Pencil and paper are used to create truly custom designs. Natural materials such as brick, wood, and stone are often selected. This sprawling kitchen is a perfect example of old-world craftsmanship. Encompassing the entire length of the home, the kitchen exudes a rustic feel, which is achieved by the exposed brick fireplace, distress wood ceiling and dining table, farmhouse sink, and intricate tile backsplash.
5) MLM Construction
3500 N Causeway Blvd. Suite #160, Metairie, LA 70002
MLM Construction is a Metairie-based general contractor and residential remodeler responsible for aesthetic reworks and historic renovations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Covington. It is notable for being one of the leading firms to rebuild homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In 2012, MLM won a Sonata Award for best bath design and remodeling. The firm’s principal, Machi Medrzycki, was ranked among Professional Remodeler’s list of “40 Under 40 Remodelers” in 2015.
For renovations, the firm loves to use natural stone and glass combinations; open spaces; and simple, elegant designs. The firm recently renovated this 1940s house in Uptown New Orleans. Traditional elements like custom-painted wood cabinets and antique heart pine floors were paired with modern elements, such as two-toned countertops and a glass backsplash.
4) Susan Currie Design
233 Walnut St., New Orleans, LA 70118
Playful designs, layers of texture, and lively color schemes are all part of Susan Currie Design’s signature style. As a remodeling and interior design firm, the company likes to make a big impact by focusing on a home’s public areas, such as the living room and kitchen. The firm also offers its own line of cabinets to provide truly custom spaces to its clients. Serving the Southeast and Southwest of the U.S. (particularly in Atlanta and New Orleans), the firm has been featured in various style magazines, including New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Southern Living, Gambit’s Cue, and Inside New Orleans.
Mississippi native Susan Currie developed an artistic eye at an early age. From Mid-Century ranches to antebellum homes, her exposure to historic residences contributed to the development of her remodeling style. Today, she leads a curated team of seven professionals. Currie is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and one of only 25 Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) in the greater New Orleans area.
3) Sensa Design
3102 Fern St., New Orleans, LA 70125
Sensa Design is a design-build firm known for its remodeling projects, which are inspired by designs from all over the world. Colombia-native Andrea Mejia started Sensa Design in 2016 after working for ten years as an industrial engineer in Hong Kong. Working abroad exposed her to different cultures, architecture, and styles of living, which broadened her perspective on design.
For kitchens, the firm usually favors contemporary styles. This sleek and ultra-modern kitchen features flushed laminate cabinets. The large island can seat two to four people and has enough space for preparing meals. The firm’s kitchens have been featured in The Advocate and on the New Orleans Home and Garden show.
2) Entablature
8438 Oak St. Suite C, New Orleans, LA 70118
Named after a popular element of classic architecture, Entablature is a design-build firm that is adept at incorporating the traditional style of New Orleans into its creatively modern homes. The firm’s accomplished team of professional builders and designers is led by expert duo Chris Kornman and Scott Logan. Kornman is a third-generation builder who has extensive experience renovating New Orleans homes and has been featured on Professional Builder’s “Top 40 Under 40.” He manages the day-to-day operations of the firm. Logan is a licensed attorney with a successful career in real estate and is in charge of the firm’s business, financial, and legal aspects.
Entablature’s expertise in creating modern translations of classic New Orleans architecture is especially evident in its kitchens. This elongated kitchen also features high ceilings and abundant natural light. The long lines in the hardwood flooring, navy cabinets, and kitchen island reinforce a look common in most shotgun houses in the city.
1) DMG Design + Build
2345 Metairie Rd., Metairie, LA 70001
Design Management Group’s award-winning projects, stellar client reviews, and innovative designs make it a premier remodeling company in New Orleans. This fairly young firm has achieved a lot during its five years in business. It has participated in the 2016 International Builders Show as the New Orleans representative, graced the pages of New Orleans Living, and was featured as the 2017 Builder of New Orleans in Preservation in Print. Additionally, the firm has been featured on HGTV’s “Small House, Big Easy,” where it restored a small but historically significant home.
Ryan McCroskey heads the firm as owner and principal. The 37-year-old CEO was recently named one of Pro Remodeler’s “40 Under 40” of 2019. He aims to improve the firm’s work by using new technologies and eco-friendly materials in its builds. He has led the firm in notable projects, such as the restoration of the historic Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8973, which is one of the last VFW posts still standing.
In the residential scene, the firm has earned awards from the annual Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Awards for its whole-house renovations and kitchen remodels. A winner of a 2016 Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Award for contemporary kitchen exudes modern luxury. A wall was removed to make space for a new kitchen island. Recessed LED lights and under cabinet lighting make the space bright, inviting, and environmentally conscious.
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.