How Do I Plan a Home Renovation Without Stress?

I’m preparing for a renovation soon, and one thing everyone keeps telling me is how stressful the process can be. So I’m asking the community for advice: how do you plan and manage a renovation in a way that avoids chaos, delays, and surprises?

I’d like tips on scheduling, budgeting, hiring contractors, ordering materials, and living in the house during construction. If you’ve found any planning tools or checklists useful, feel free to mention them. I’ve been browsing guides on https://www.justaskgenie.co.uk/ and https://www.businessnorthwest.co.uk, which offer good general advice, but I’m hoping for real experiences that helped keep things smooth.

What steps made your renovation easier? What mistakes should I avoid from the start? Any advice—big or small—will help me feel more prepared and confident.