Home Renovation Risks You Don't Usually Think About

Renovations are rarely 'on plan'. In fact, a lot of people plan for renovations to get off the rails (at least for a little bit). 

This has mostly to do with how unpredictable it all can be, how multiple different handymen don't sync their schedules (or straight-up don't show up at all).  And that becomes a problem, especially if we're renovating a room that's often used (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, sleeping room). Your whole life can be flipped upside down quickly. But it's all worth it, because you know that after a week, all of this will be cleaned up and it'll be over.

Right? Well, that's the problem.

You need to watch where you step because there are tools and uneven boards everywhere. Even just moving from one room to the other stresses you out because the surroundings have changed so much. 

There's also that weird in-between phase where nothing works the way it normally does. While that's happening, none of these details seem dramatic on their own, but they add up. 

A home that's under construction is like a whole other world, and this is where most risks start.

The Parts of a Home Where Most Accidents Happen

Home renovations might look harmless, but certain areas get risky REALLY  fast. 

If you have contractors (which you probably do), you should get familiar with the basics of injury law because if someone gets hurt, like after a fall from a height, you deal with more than just having one less contractor, depending on which state you live in. 

For example, a Chicago ladder accident lawyer would tell you that Illinois uses a comparative-fault system, which means that responsibility for the accident is shared based on how much each person contributed to it. 

In New York, on the other hand, things are different because of the Scaffold Law, which makes homeowners (and general contractors) almost automatically responsible when a worker is injured in a fall from a height.

With that out of the way, let's get on to the areas which can be most problematic during renovations:

Kitchen

Unless you're working in an 'open plan' kitchen, you're likely working in a small/tight space. Not being able to move freely is a problem in its own right. But when you've got plumbing and lots of electricity involved, this is straight-up dangerous. 

And to add to that, there are likely a lot of appliances that are detached and further hindering movement. During kitchen renovations, contractors are usually forced to drill/cut in a tight area, and if there's more than one person involved, every cut needs to be controlled; otherwise, there's a good chance of causing/suffering injury.

Bathroom

Where there's a bathroom, there's also water. 

And wet tiles and exposed plumbing can make the floors extremely slippery. As you can imagine, it's a breeding ground for slip and fall injuries. You also need to be careful about water near the electrical cords – electricity and water don't mix well, especially if we're using our bodies as conduits.

And the worst problem of all is that bathrooms are (usually) pretty small. Which means you've got 2-3 people working in a tight space, there's not much air, and moving is extremely difficult. And if one person falls, it'll likely affect everyone else in the room (in a negative way, of course).

Bathrooms really have a lot that can go wrong. 

And to add insult to injury, most of the tools used in a bathroom renovation will usually be 'stored' in the hallway in front of it to save space. This means that you'll have cords lying on the ground, just inviting you to trip over them, plus there might be pointy, sharp objects which, if you aren't careful, could cause an injury to anyone who passes through that hallway.

Living Area

You know your living room and hallways like the back of your hand, but renovation changes how safe they are. 

Once materials are removed, you have exposed nails and loose boards all over the place. Furniture that was moved to make room for tools now blocks your normal walking paths, and dust that settles on the floor reduces traction. 

Outdoors

While you might think that renovating your outdoors is the best possible scenario, it really isn't. 

Projects on roofs, decks, siding, and gutters involve different heights and surfaces that don't stay stable. Add to that wind, sun, rain, or ice, and it's obvious how unpredictable the conditions can be. 

Plus, the ground itself is almost never totally even, so every step needs more balance than usual. 

How to Stay Safe

Before anything is taken apart, you first need to know what you're working with. 

A simple walkthrough or inspection will help you see which areas will weaken, shift, and behave differently once walls and/or floors come up. You'll also get a clear idea of where your electrical lines and plumbing are. This is important because it's how you prevent drilling and cutting into something you shouldn't. 

Once the work begins, you need to wear proper gear. 

Gloves, goggles, sturdy shoes, and a mask are all a must because you need to protect yourself from sharp edges and flying debris. Also, make sure to use tools that are meant for the exact task rather than reaching for whatever is closest. 

There's also one other thing that people don't like to think about, which is the fact that some jobs aren't worth the risk. 

Things like electrical work and anything that affects the structure of your home can go very wrong very fast if it's not handled correctly. 

Think of renovations as a 'living puzzle'. It's good to know your points A and B. But it's not really good to not be flexible with it. Expect the puzzle piece to move on its own, in a way that you can't really predict. And your job is to adapt to how it moves.

The thing you CAN prepare yourself for is 'safety'. Spend plenty of time prepping everything up so that you maximize your chances of having a safe project – this is the most important part.

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