FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e JULY 12, 2018 • AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 51
A handy guide to starting a home remodel
Apprehension and inexperience keep
many homeowners from pursuing renovation
projects that would make their
homes more functional, enjoyable and
comfortable. Getting your hands dirty on
the front end - with some planning and
preparation - is the best blueprint for a
successful home remodeling project.
To help you start your remodel on the
right track, consider these tips from Gary
White with JCPenney Home Services.
Start with a plan
Although it may sound obvious, the
fi rst step really is to decide what you
hope to accomplish with your renovation.
At the least, begin to outline rough
ideas to discuss with an expert. Reaching
out to contractors before you’ve determined
a basic idea for your project can
waste time and money. Spend time listing
the features you must have, as well as
some nice-to-haves if budget allows. Also
think about overall functionality, design
and layout. If you get overwhelmed or
need ideas, don’t hesitate to turn to online
showrooms or magazines for inspiration.
Set a budget
If the sky is the limit, skip ahead, but
if you’re like most homeowners, money
matters. Have a clear idea of what you
can aff ord to invest in your renovation
before you get started, and if necessary,
research the fi nancing options available
to you. Look for fi nancing that provides
deferred interest or low monthly payments
to help manage the project cost.
Setting a clear budget can help keep your
contractors accountable, and it goes a
long way toward ensuring you can enjoy
your fi nished project without regret.
Draw up the plans
To help set your plan in motion, there
are numerous online tools you can utilize
to simplify each step of the process
including design, budgeting and more.
If you’re planning a home remodel, a
comprehensive resource like JCPenney
Home Services off ers a one-stop-shop
for bathroom remodeling, countertops,
custom window treatments, fl ooring,
heating and cooling, water heaters
and whole-home water treatment.
You can fi nd unique landing pages for
each service that provides product information,
complimentary in-home consultations
and online pricing quotes at
JCPenneyhomeservices.com.
Involve a professional
Unless you have the time and skills,
you’ll want a licensed and insured contractor
to lead the project when you’re
ready to get your renovation in motion.
It can be wise to solicit multiple bids, not
only to ensure you get the best value, but
also to fi nd someone whose work, style
and experience is most in line with the
needs of your project. Aft er all, this person
will be a big part of your life during a
fairly stressful time period. Always check
references and verify the contractor’s
standing with local associations.
Get ready for work
Remember that you’ll need to create
a work environment that is safe for
your contractors and protects your valuable
possessions. Establish a clear path
to the project space for easy access and
removal of debris. Furniture, appliances,
room furnishings, valuables and breakable
items should be removed from both
the path to the work site and the work
site itself. If your renovation project will
involve an essential room, such as the
kitchen or a bathroom, make alternate
arrangements such as creating a makeshift
kitchen with the bare necessities in
another part of the house.
Countertops 101
Kitchens and bathrooms are among
the most common renovation projects,
and countertops are oft en a focal point
of these redesigns. However, choosing
the right countertop can be overwhelming.
To help make the diffi cult decision
a little simpler, JCPenney Home Services
experts off er insight on two of the most
popular choices:
Granite countertops have long been the
mainstay of a beautiful kitchen or bathroom.
Granite is a natural stone, quarried
from large stone deposits around the
world. It can have many diff erent variations
of patterns and colors, giving each
slab a unique appearance that is visually
rich and dynamic.
In addition to its distinctive beauty and
classic elegance, granite is also extremely
durable. Granite is highly resistant to
heat and scratches and, with proper sealing,
off ers good water and stain resistance
and is easy to clean.
Granite typically needs to be sealed,
both prior to installation and at least once
per year. If properly maintained, a granite
countertop will last for as long as you own
your home, making it a potential longterm
investment.
Quartz is another popular choice for
countertops due to its durability, stain
resistance and ease of maintenance.
It’s an engineered product made mostly
from up to 93 percent quartz, a non-porous
natural stone, combined with a small
amount of binder and color. Small particles
of glass or refl ective metal fl akes can also be
added to some quartz designs to achieve a
more unique look. Th e result is an attractive
slab that can be made in a wide variety
of tones and colors, and can be fi nished to
duplicate high gloss polished stone.
Quartz is one of the most durable countertop
materials and one of the easiest to
maintain. It is highly resistant to heat,
water and stains, including stains from
coff ee, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar
and more. Unlike granite, quartz does
not need to be sealed, making it easier to
maintain over time.
To aid in the planning process
without the need for a salesperson, a
resource like the Countertop Wizard
at JCPenneyhomeservices.com lets you
scope out the project and order samples
online. Simply enter measurements,
browse and select materials and options
to get instant quotes.
Courtesy Family Features