Do I need WorkSafeNB coverage to hire a painting contractor for my residential project?

You do not need to purchase WorkSafeNB coverage yourself to hire a painting contractor for a residential project in New Brunswick — but you should always verify that your painter carries their own coverage or understand your potential liability.

WorkSafeNB is a no-fault insurance system that covers workers injured on the job. The obligation to carry coverage falls on the employer, not the homeowner. If a painting contractor operates as an incorporated company or has employees, they are generally required to register with WorkSafeNB.

Where this becomes a liability issue for you is if you hire an unregistered self-employed painter who is injured on your property — WorkSafeNB may determine that you are considered the "employer" for the purposes of the claim, and you could be assessed for premiums retroactively.

The practical protection steps for NB homeowners:

First, ask any painter for their WorkSafeNB account number and verify their good standing by calling 1-800-222-9775 or checking at worksafenb.ca.

Second, verify general liability insurance — ask for a certificate showing at minimum $1-2 million in general liability coverage. Any professional painter pricing jobs in the $2,000-15,000 range should carry this as standard.

Third, review your own home insurance policy. Some NB homeowners’ policies include coverage for contractor injuries — others explicitly exclude it for unlicensed or uninsured contractors.

For small interior jobs ($300-800 for a single room), many NB homeowners hire local independent painters without verified WorkSafeNB registration. For larger exterior projects involving ladders and scaffolding with real fall risk, the coverage question matters significantly more.

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Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting contractors through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting
• Loves Painting Ltd.
• Worry No More Handyman Services