What insurance should a flooring contractor carry in New Brunswick?

A flooring contractor working in New Brunswick should carry a minimum of general liability insurance ($2 million is the industry standard) and, if they have employees, WorkSafeNB workplace injury coverage. These two forms of protection serve different purposes, and both are essential for protecting you as a homeowner.

General liability insurance covers damage to your property that occurs during the flooring installation. Flooring projects involve heavy equipment, sharp tools, adhesives, and significant physical work in your home — and accidents happen even with experienced installers. A plumber's line nicked during old flooring removal, a scratch across your kitchen island from a dropped tool, water damage from a subfloor moisture issue that was not properly addressed — these are real scenarios that liability insurance covers. Without it, you would have to pursue the contractor personally through small claims court for compensation, with no guarantee of recovery. A $2 million liability policy is standard in the NB construction industry and costs the contractor a relatively modest annual premium, so any legitimate installer carries it as a basic cost of doing business.

Ask for a certificate of insurance, not just a verbal confirmation. A certificate is a one-page document issued by the contractor's insurance provider that confirms the policy is active, lists the coverage amount, and shows the policy dates. Some homeowners go a step further and ask to be listed as an "additional insured" on the policy for the duration of the project — this is common practice on larger projects and gives you direct standing with the insurer if a claim is needed.

WorkSafeNB coverage is the province's workers' compensation system. Any flooring contractor who employs workers is legally required to register with WorkSafeNB and pay premiums. This coverage pays for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and wage replacement if a worker is injured on the job — including while working in your home. Critically, it also protects you from being sued by the injured worker. If an unregistered contractor's employee falls on your stairs or suffers a knee injury while installing tile, you could face a liability claim as the property owner. You can verify a contractor's WorkSafeNB status by asking for their clearance letter or contacting WorkSafeNB directly.

Solo operators present a common grey area. Many flooring installers in New Brunswick work as independent sole proprietors without employees. They are not legally required to carry WorkSafeNB coverage for themselves, though they can purchase voluntary personal coverage. If you are hiring a solo installer, general liability insurance becomes even more important. Also confirm that they truly work alone — if they bring a helper to your job, even informally, they may be operating as an employer without proper coverage.

Some additional insurance considerations for NB flooring projects include: vehicle insurance covering tools and materials in transit (relevant if materials are stored in the contractor's vehicle overnight), and errors and omissions coverage for higher-end projects where an installation mistake could result in significant financial loss. These are not mandatory but indicate a more professional operation.

When comparing quotes from NB flooring contractors, factor insurance into the price difference. A contractor quoting $3/sq ft for labour without insurance is not actually cheaper than one quoting $4/sq ft with full coverage — the uninsured price simply transfers risk from the contractor to you. NB flooring installation labour rates of $2-$6/sq ft for hard surfaces include the cost of proper insurance for legitimate contractors. Get matched with insured, professional flooring installers through New Brunswick Flooring for free.

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

• Thirty Four Renovations
• Arctic Fox Construction Inc.
• Gionetterenovations
• First united design & construction inc.
• M&L Commercial and residential services