What WorkSafeNB coverage should my kitchen contractor have?

Every kitchen renovation contractor working in your New Brunswick home should have active WorkSafeNB coverage, and you should verify it before any work begins. WorkSafeNB is New Brunswick's workplace health and safety and workers' compensation commission. If a contractor working in your home is not covered and a worker is injured on your property, you as the homeowner could be held financially liable for their medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation.

WorkSafeNB coverage means that the contractor has registered their business, is paying premiums based on their payroll and industry classification, and their workers are protected if injured on the job. This is not optional for contractors who employ workers. Sole proprietors can opt for personal optional coverage, but any contractor with employees is required by law to carry WorkSafeNB. When you are getting quotes for your kitchen renovation, ask each contractor for their WorkSafeNB clearance letter or registration number. You can verify their status directly through WorkSafeNB's employer compliance verification.

Insurance Beyond WorkSafeNB

WorkSafeNB covers workplace injuries to the contractor's workers, but it does not cover damage to your property. For that, your contractor needs commercial general liability insurance, typically a minimum of $2 million in coverage. This protects you if a contractor accidentally damages your home during the renovation, such as a burst pipe flooding your basement, a dropped countertop cracking your floor, or a fire started by construction equipment. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it is current.

A properly insured kitchen contractor in New Brunswick should have three things: active WorkSafeNB registration, commercial general liability insurance of at least $2 million, and if they are doing any vehicle-based deliveries or hauling, commercial auto insurance. Some homeowner insurance policies also require you to verify contractor coverage before renovation work begins, so check with your own insurer as well.

Why This Matters Especially in NB

New Brunswick's kitchen renovation market includes a wide range of contractors, from well-established companies with full insurance and coverage to individuals working on the side without proper registration. The price difference can be tempting. An uninsured contractor might quote your kitchen renovation 15 to 25 percent lower than a properly covered one. But if something goes wrong, whether it is a worker injury, property damage, or substandard work, you have no recourse and potentially significant personal liability.

The financial risk is real. A serious workplace injury can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical and compensation costs. Without WorkSafeNB coverage, that liability could fall on you. Similarly, a kitchen renovation gone wrong without liability insurance means you are paying twice: once for the original work and again to fix it.

When evaluating quotes from kitchen renovators in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, or anywhere in New Brunswick, make insurance verification your first step before comparing prices, timelines, or design options. A legitimate contractor will have no hesitation providing proof of coverage. If they dodge the question or claim they do not need it, that is a clear warning sign. New Brunswick Kitchens helps connect homeowners with verified local kitchen renovation contractors through the New Brunswick Construction Network.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations