Renovate, not exasperate

So many friends have been renovating and building new homes, I have been asked to share my experiences and those of my many girlfriends, so that we all collectively learn. Then we won't "kena chrome". Well, I still got chromed big time when I did my renos last year and picked a contractor under time pressure. I hope to be able to share those vexing things I learnt and also just do I don't have to keep repeating myself to various girlfriends and it has occurred to me that there are others who can teach me, in case I ever need it - Never say never again! I hope not to ever repeat this process but we can all pool out tips and help each. For me, at least I get to vent!
Hope some of you reading this will find something helpful.