Planning to remodel your kitchen?

Bruce Partridge, renovations manager at Stephen Thomas Homes in Richmond, recommends Ed Crews’ strategy of assembling a folder with photos of décor that you like. The folder will help you discuss your desires and expectations with remodelers, decorators and salespeople.

Here are Partridge’s top 10 kitchen remodeling tips:

-Plan on spending 5 percent to 10 percent of the value of your home on your kitchen makeover. Kitchens are huge selling points.

-Ask family, friends or coworkers for recommendations before hiring a contractor or consult The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council online (http://www.nahb.org/). Check qualifications to ensure that the remodeler is licensed and insured. Put every detail into a contract. Be sure your personalities mesh.

-If you’re working with a low budget, retain your kitchen’s basic layout. Changes that affect heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing lines will escalate costs.

-Decide whether you want traditional or contemporary cabinets. Dark woods such as cherry and maple are hot, although white cabinets are still popular. With the green-building movement, renewable materials such as bamboo are becoming more attractive.

-Pick appliances that match your lifestyle. Models range from gourmet, commercial-grade to lower-priced off-brands that look and function well for most families.

-Buy the best countertops you can afford. Laminate countertops such as Formica and Wilsonart are durable, fairly inexpensive choices with a variety of finishes and colors that have a high-end look. Solid surfaces such as Corian and Gibraltar have numerous color choices and virtually invisible seams. Top-of-the-line counters made of granite and engineered stone such as Silestone, Caesar Stone or Cambria are known for beauty and durability.

-Don’t make the sink an afterthought. Sinks come in a wide range of styles and price levels and numerous bowl configurations, mounting options, and accessories.

-Adequate lighting is crucial. Your plan should include general lighting, indirect lighting — such as a strategically placed window or skylight — and task lighting that’s mounted under cabinets or hung above a food-preparation area.

-Select paint colors and accents that highlight your cabinetry and countertops. To be environmentally friendly, choose low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint or backsplash tiles made from reclaimed material.

-Choose a sturdy, easily maintained floor that best matches your décor and kitchen traffic. Choices include tile, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, cork and bamboo.

Source: Richmond-Times Dispatch