New Orleans Custom Homes Built the Way You Actually Want Them
Building a custom home on the Southshore takes a builder who understands the region, the soil conditions, the flood zone requirements, the neighborhood character, and the permitting landscape. West Custom Homes works with homeowners across the New Orleans metro area, from Uptown and Lakeview to Harahan, Kenner, and Metairie, to build homes that are designed around how people actually live here.
Keith West, the company’s owner, is personally involved on every project. He manages the site, coordinates the subs, and stays in direct communication with each client from the design phase through final walkthrough. That level of involvement is not standard in this industry, and clients throughout the Southshore notice the difference.
Why Southshore Homeowners Choose a Custom Build
Production builders build to their model. If the floor plan does not suit the way your household functions, or the elevation does not fit the lot, you end up working around the house instead of the house working around you. A custom build starts from the other direction — with your lot, your program, and your preferences — and produces something that functions the way you need it to from day one.
On the Southshore, that flexibility matters even more than it does in other markets. Lots in established neighborhoods like Uptown, Lakeview, and Old Metairie tend to be narrower and more constrained than suburban lots further north. Flood zone requirements affect foundation design. HOA guidelines vary by subdivision. A builder who has experience in this market knows how to navigate those constraints without letting them dictate the entire project.
Metairie and Old Metairie
Metairie is the largest residential market on the Southshore outside of New Orleans proper. Old Metairie in particular has seen growing demand for custom construction as homeowners seek to replace aging structures with homes built to current codes and designed for how they live today. Jefferson Parish has its own permitting and inspection system, separate from Orleans Parish, and working with a builder who knows the difference saves time and friction throughout the build.
Kenner
Kenner sits at the western edge of the metro area and offers reasonably priced lots with access to the airport corridor and the interstate. Homeowners building here often want value-efficient custom homes that prioritize function — solid construction, well-designed layouts, and finishes that hold up — over architectural complexity. Keith’s background in accounting and finance informs how he approaches project budgeting, and clients building in Kenner appreciate that he is focused on delivering what was agreed at the price that was quoted.
Lakeview
Lakeview’s recovery and rebuilding following Katrina produced a wide range of construction quality across the neighborhood. Homeowners who want to build new here are often working with lots in areas that have already seen significant new construction since 2005, which means navigating the City of New Orleans permitting office and building to current elevation requirements. West Custom Homes works through that process with clients directly, so nothing gets lost in translation.
Uptown and the Garden District
Uptown is one of the most architecturally layered parts of New Orleans, and new custom construction here requires careful attention to the surrounding context. Homeowners building or rebuilding in this area often want architecture that respects the neighborhood’s character while delivering the modern systems and layouts that older homes cannot provide. Keith understands that balance and designs toward it from the beginning of the project.
Harahan and River Ridge
Harahan and River Ridge offer more lot depth and setback flexibility than most urban Southshore neighborhoods. For families who want a larger footprint — more square footage, a larger garage, outdoor living space — this corridor is one of the better options on the Southshore. West Custom Homes has built in this area and knows how the Jefferson Parish permitting process works.
What Sets West Custom Homes Apart on the Southshore
Most custom builders in this market are general contractors who coordinate the project but remain at arm’s length from the daily work. Keith’s model is different. He stays actively involved on the job site, works directly with the subcontractor teams he has built relationships with over years, and makes himself available to clients in a way that larger operations typically do not.
One Builder, Every Project
When you hire West Custom Homes, Keith West is the person managing your project. He is not handing your job off to a project manager you have never met. He is walking the site, reviewing the work, and communicating with you directly. That continuity of involvement produces better outcomes at every phase of construction because the person who made the commitments is the person executing them.
Financial Clarity Throughout the Build
Keith’s background in accounting and finance changes how the financial side of a custom build gets managed. Budgets are tracked carefully. Allowances are explained up front so clients understand what the numbers include. When scope changes arise, costs are presented clearly before decisions are made. Homeowners who have gone through difficult builds with other contractors often cite cost surprises as the biggest source of stress. Keith’s process is built around preventing that.
Subcontractors You Can Count On
The quality of a custom home depends heavily on the tradespeople doing the work. West Custom Homes works with a consistent group of subcontractors who have been on Keith’s projects for years. They know his standards, and they know what he will and will not accept. That continuity of relationship translates into work that gets done correctly the first time, which keeps the schedule moving and reduces the chances of rework delays.
How the Custom Home Building Process Works
West Custom Homes follows an 11-step building process designed to keep clients informed and involved from the initial design conversation through the final walkthrough. Each step has a defined scope, and clients know what is happening at every phase of the project.
The process typically begins with a site evaluation and budget conversation to determine whether the project is feasible as conceived and where the biggest cost drivers will be. From there, the design phase translates the client’s program into drawings that can go to permit. Permitting on the Southshore — whether through the City of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, or another jurisdiction — takes time, and that timeline is built into the project schedule from the start.
Once permits are in hand, construction proceeds through a logical sequence: foundation, framing, rough mechanicals, weatherproofing, insulation, drywall, finishes, and the final systems work that brings everything together. Keith is on site throughout and maintains a clear communication schedule with each client so there are no surprises.
For a full breakdown of what each step involves, see the West Custom Homes 11-Step Building Process page.
Building in Flood Zones on the Southshore
Flood zone compliance is one of the most consequential decisions in any new construction project on the Southshore. Your base flood elevation (BFE) designation determines how high your finished floor must be built, which affects foundation design, grading, and the elevation certificate that your insurance carrier will require.
West Custom Homes works with clients to understand their specific lot’s flood zone designation before design begins, so foundation decisions are made based on accurate information rather than assumptions. Building to or above the required BFE protects your investment and typically reduces flood insurance costs over the life of the home.
Flood zone maps in the New Orleans area were updated significantly following Katrina, and they have continued to be revised in subsequent FEMA map amendment cycles. If you are purchasing a lot for a custom build, confirming the current flood zone designation before closing is a step West Custom Homes recommends to every client.
Licensed, Bonded, and Accountable
West Custom Homes holds an active license with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), which governs residential and commercial construction licensing in the state. Louisiana requires general contractors working on projects above a defined value threshold to be licensed, and working with a licensed contractor is the baseline standard for protecting homeowners on any significant construction project.
You can verify any contractor’s license status directly through the LSLBC’s public verification portal at lslbc.louisiana.gov. Keith encourages prospective clients to do exactly that before signing any construction agreement — with him or with anyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building New Orleans Custom Homes
How long does it take to build a custom home on the Southshore?
What does it cost to build a custom home in the New Orleans area?
Can I build a custom home in an established New Orleans neighborhood?
Do I need to worry about flood zone requirements for a new build in New Orleans?
Which parishes and jurisdictions does West Custom Homes build in?
How involved is the homeowner during construction?
Is West Custom Homes licensed to build in Louisiana?
Start the Conversation About Your New Orleans Custom Home
If you are thinking about building a custom home on the Southshore, the first step is a straightforward conversation about your lot, your program, and your budget. Keith will handle that conversation personally and offer an honest discussion about what your project requires and whether West Custom Homes is the right fit.
Use the contact form below or call directly to schedule a time with Keith. He builds across the New Orleans metro area and takes on new projects based on timing and alignment, so reaching out early is the best way to secure a spot in the schedule.