When your home is being renovated, the contractor owes you a legal duty of care. If they perform the work negligently, violate building standards, or breach the terms of your contract, you may be able to hold them accountable — more so if their actions compromise your safety.

And here’s the thing. They might not make it to the headlines often, but accidents during remodeling happen. And when they do, it’s the people working on site or the dwellers that end up hurt. Contractor negligence is often to blame. 

In either case, you have various rights when what’s supposed to improve your home’s aesthetics and value ends up leaving you or others injured. 

Let’s walk through these rights one by one to keep you informed. 

1. The Right to a Reasonably Safe Work Environment

When you hire a contractor, you are not signing up for unnecessary hazards. It's your right to see that basic safety standards are followed on your property.

But falls, exposed wiring, unstable scaffolding, and poor debris control? These aren’t minor oversights. 

According to the 2025 renovation safety guidance from Safetyfic, common remodeling hazards include:

• Structural instability

• Electrical risks

• Mold exposure

• And improper handling of hazardous materials

That matters to you because those risks can easily affect your family, not just the crew.

2. The Right to Hold Licensed Contractors Accountable For Negligence

Contractors are legally required to perform their work with reasonable care and professionalism. But some may cut corners or ignore codes to rush projects. Some are sneaky enough to hire unqualified subcontractors.

When your contractor does this, it might amount to one thing. Negligence; and they can be held responsible for the harm that follows.

Negligence can show up in different ways

It might be a load-bearing wall removed without proper support. Or maybe faulty wiring got left exposed and sparks a fire. Nonetheless, establishing negligence often requires legal support from attorneys who understand local laws.

Let’s say you were renovating your home in Kansas City, and a contractor’s careless structural work led to a collapse that caused severe injuries. In that situation, seeking guidance from catastrophic injury lawyers in Kansas City would be a helpful first step.

As a guide by DM Injury Law puts it, your injury attorney can help investigate what went wrong and pursue accountability for the negligent party.

3. The Right to Review Your Contract for Breach or Misrepresentation

Your renovation contract is more than a formality. It defines scope and timelines, materials, safety obligations, and even payment terms.

If the contractor deviates significantly from agreed plans or misrepresents their licensing, insurance, or experience, you may have a claim for breach of contract or even fraud. Reviewing the document carefully after an accident can uncover obligations that were never fulfilled.

In many cases, homeowners discover that required inspections were skipped, or safety protocols were promised but never implemented. Those details hold water when determining legal responsibility.

4. The Right to File Insurance Claims

After a serious renovation accident, multiple insurance policies may come into play. You are not limited to just your own homeowner’s policy.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file claims under:

• Your homeowner’s insurance for property damage

• The contractor’s general liability policy

• Workers’ compensation coverage if a worker got injured

• An umbrella policy covering catastrophic losses

Prompt notice is critical. Delays can complicate coverage, and insurers will often request documentation like photos and incident reports.

5. The Right to Seek Compensation for Defective Workmanship

Not every renovation accident involves a dramatic collapse. Sometimes the harm appears weeks or months later – like when faulty workmanship causes water damage, mold growth, or electrical fires.

Defective installation of roofing, plumbing, or other structural elements can reduce your home’s value and create ongoing safety risks. When poor workmanship leads to injury or significant property damage, you may pursue compensation for repair, medical costs, and related losses.

When Defects Lead To Physical Injury

Defective work that results in burns or long-term disability moves your claim beyond simple contract disputes. It may turn into a personal injury case involving damages like:

• Medical bills

• Lost income

• Future care needs

• Pain and suffering

When Code Violations Are Involved

Building code violations strengthen your position. Your evidence of negligence becomes pretty strong if the contractor ignored mandatory safety standards, for example.

6. The Right to Preserve and Present Evidence

After a serious accident, what you do in the first hours and days can shape your legal options. You have the right to gather and preserve evidence before conditions change.

Start by documenting visible damage and unsafe conditions. Save emails and text messages. Keep invoices and inspection reports organized.

You may also want to:

• Photograph tools, materials, and debris before cleanup

• Request copies of permits and inspection records

• Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor

• Avoid signing waivers or releases without legal review

7. The Right to Consult a Qualified Attorney Early

You do not have to figure everything out on your own. Consulting an attorney early allows you to understand deadlines, potential claims, and available remedies before critical mistakes happen.

Also, serious renovation accidents can involve overlapping legal areas, from contract law to catastrophic injury claims. Early guidance helps you avoid giving recorded statements or accepting quick settlements that undervalue your losses.

Protecting Your Home and Future After an Accident During Reno

A renovation should increase comfort and value, not create legal and financial chaos. When things go wrong, knowing your legal rights gives you leverage and direction.

For more insight, explore related topics on home renovations. And if you are facing the aftermath of a serious renovation accident, reaching out to attorneys like DM Injury Law can be a good first step for guidance on protecting your rights and your recovery.

Our writers like to blog about the home. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.