• As with kitchen projects, line up the goods early. Sink or vanity, toilet, tub or shower fixture—whatever the item, get it purchased and delivered before any demolition begins. Open cartons immediately to check for damage and confirm the items are what you ordered. Same goes for tile and other installed materials.

• Protect the rest of the house. Unlike kitchens, which typically have direct access to exterior doors and so allow for a reasonably contained mess, bathrooms are often situated deep in the interior. This means workers, debris, and new materials will be traveling through hallways and other rooms, so insist on some basic precautions. Figure on plastic sheeting on walls and carpets, plus tarps or floor runners over traffic paths.

• Screen your contractors carefully, and make sure they convey the rules of the house to their workers. Is smoking allowed in the house? Where should they park vehicles? As for the bathroom work itself, limit access to areas directly involved in the renovation.