Accidents can and will happen, not matter how prepared you are for them. But sometimes a person's temporary lack of common sense has more to do with the accidents happening than anything else. By being as prepared as possible, many homeowners doing renovation on their property can save themselves some trips to the doctor or the hospital.
Safety comes first. The last thing you want to do is push your renovation timetable back because you were trying to take a short-cut that got you hurt. Simple things, like making sure your ladder is on even ground or that you are grounded when repairing something electrical, will go a long way to making sure you remain safe. Use goggles and other protective clothing to protect your face and body from flying particulars. If dealing with asbestos or lead-based paint, use a respirator. Don't try to take any short-cuts. They only cause you more problems in the long run. And never assume that something can't happen to you.
Another mistake of home renovation that can be avoided and save you time and headaches is not having a plan in place and sticking to it. There are free resources on the Internet, in books, even at your local library, to help you plan out the exact steps you need to take in order to renovate your property smoothly. Use them. If you're not sure where to start, take a step back and re-evaluate what you want to change in your home until you are sure of the best place to begin. Listen to expert's advice and never start a project that you cannot finish due to lack of funds. It's better to wait and build up the finances to start and complete a project then having your house torn apart.
If you have your house torn apart and you know you need to rewire something or add insulation, do it now! You're going to have to replace the drywall. It makes more sense to do the additional work before you finish off the wall then having to tear it open, patch it up, spackle it and repaint it later. Leverage your opportunities for all they are worth when you can. Time is money in construction. Save a little money by saving a little time.
While hiring a contractor or subcontractor is a great idea for some of the bigger aspects of your project, it's also a great idea to talk to a few of them and get three estimates. Ask them to specify exactly what the price they charge is including and then sit down, compare them, and make the best choice. One contractor may offer better service for a lower price than another or vice versa. Do your homework and don't be afraid to keep shopping around if the first three quotes don't quite fit what your budget or needs.
And lastly, ask for help if you've taken on too much of the renovation by yourself. Sometime having a professional come in and do something as easy as hanging drywall will keep you from being in the doghouse with you family later down the line when the wall still isn't finished and everything's covered in dust.