Be the obnoxious homeowner

As my contractors were doing the kitchen there were things that I wondered about, but just assumed would be fixed by the end. For instance, when I first saw the floor tiling job, I thought that the tiles seemed a little uneven. At that moment I should have pointed it out and said, "I hope you plan to make those flush." Well, I didn't and they didn't. Many people probably wouldn't notice or care, but as a person who doesn't like to wear shoes, I can feel the unevenness of my kitchen tiles when I walk across them.

Tips: Pay attention to the details, ask questions, insist that everything is done just as you want.