EXPECTATION: I’m going to love everything about my final result. I saved for this project, I planned it out carefully, and nothing can keep me from being ecstatic when I take my first bubble bath in decadent luxury

REALITY: There will always be something you’re going to wish you had done differently. Even if everything looks perfect upon completion, the plumbing might spring a leak, the white grout may turn black, or the countertops might stain (Why did you let your contractor talk you into black honed granite?). Learn to roll with it, and know that everything can be fixed … for a price.

HOT TIP: When you don’t know what finish to choose, always get a second opinion from a professional in that field. For example, a countertop expert will know what sealer to apply to your new stone slabs — and will remind you that it is your job to reseal them in six months to protect your investment for years to come.