Always know where your water shut off is located.
Regardless of whether you or someone else is doing the work. Same goes for gas service shut off
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Last spring I was preparing to install my new bathroom sink in a similar setup. I turned off the hot water under the sink and tried to unhook the hose line but couldn't really get in there to get a good grip. It was rubber hose so I cut it, figuring I could get at it easier with the hose out of the way. But the water wasn't off and soon enough I was being blasted with hot water. I tried and tried but could not turn the handle any further so I ran down to the cellar where the whole-house shut off is. I could not get the door open. Ran back upstairs and kept alternating buckets underneath the spray. Every towel I owned was on the floor. Fortunately there was no carpet involved. But what to do?!
So I called 911. Hey, it was an emergency. I live in a very small town and the police and public works offices are right next to each other a few blocks from my house. In about 15 min. a guy showed up to turn off my water at the street. I cleaned up all the mess and called around to find a plumber who came out first thing the next day. He unhooked the fitting, got the valve shut and turned the water back on at the street. Whew!
Ah, the joys of home ownership. 
