Not only should the workmen wear masks while inside the house, but you also need to pay attention to the air filtration system in the house.

During these times, consider buying several of the 1 inch thick replacement air filters and not the 4 inch thick variety.

Why? You can expect to replace the air filters at least once every two weeks....in some cases, every week! While a 4 inch thick air filter is preferred (for those that do not have a HEPA type or an electronic type of air filter) for day to day use when not renovating, you will need to replace the air filter constantly during the demolition and during interior wall erection and sanding activities. Whether it is a 4 inch or 1 inch thick air filter, both will become clogged just as fast with all the dust caused by the renovation.

Why waste money on a 4 inch thick filter when it will not last any longer than a 1 inch during these situations?

As well, there are products on the market now that you can buy which act like air filters for individual heat registers / vents. We didn't use these (because we didn't know they existed to be honest) but are another idea to keep in mind.

There is no escaping the dust that will be around the house. It will get into every part of the home. Be prepared for it, both emotionally ( "Geeeze, I just dusted that on the weekend!"), health wise (change the filters weekly and consider masks while inside) and financially (buy lots of the 1 inch thick filters to save money) until the activities causing the dust are finished.