A home renovation home run

During the renovation

Factor in the cost of a temporary move
If this is a major renovation or if you or a member of your family has asthma or other health issues, you may want to move out temporarily. Otherwise, at least make sure you can separate the construction zone from the rest of the house by hanging up painters' tarps or polyethylene sheeting. You'll be less exposed to the dust and noise, and you'll have privacy in the rooms where you are living.

Prepare the work site
Remove all furniture and personal items from the work site. Establish rules about the areas and facilities that workers can use (bathrooms, water, telephone, parking).

Monitor progress
It's essential to closely track the progress of the work. If you have a problem with anything, immediately discuss it with the contractor, who will likely have a good explanation. If he does not and does nothing to resolve the problem, send him a registered letter and send a copy to your lawyer.

Also note that it's possible you will want or need to make changes to the project along the way; for example, you might encounter a snag you hadn't thought of during the planning stages. Discuss this issue with the contractor and work with him to find a solution; your contract will have to be amended to include a detailed description of such a change and what it will cost.