No matter your level of DIY experience, having the proper tools is crucial for successful home improvement projects. Here are 10 essential items every homeowner must keep on hand in their toolbox.
A tape measure is one of the most useful hand tools. Even an entry-level 25-foot model should suffice for most beginner DIYers.
1. Tape Measure
Are You Needing Help Hanging Pictures or Measuring for Flooring Installation? A tape measure can be an indispensable asset when renovating, with multiple uses from hanging artwork to measuring for flooring installation. Here are some helpful tips to make the most out of it.
Learn the components and how they function on a tape measure so you can read your measurements like an expert.
2. Hammer
Hammers are essential tools in every DIYer’s toolkit, from hanging pictures and assembling flat-pack furniture, to nail removal. Look for models with both a flat striking surface (known as the ‘head”) and an end with claw-shaped jaws for nail removal.
Pliers are another essential hand tool for DIY home improvement projects, especially ones which can bend wires and cut materials. Look for models which feature bend and cut capabilities.
3. Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are essential tools in any DIY toolkit. Make sure you invest in a comprehensive set featuring flathead and Phillips head screws of various sizes as well as one with ratcheting capabilities to help turn screws quickly and more easily on tired hands.
Precision screwdrivers feature small, narrow tips designed to tighten or loosen tiny screws found in glasses frames and appliances. You should consider purchasing an extended length screwdriver in order to reach hard-to-reach spots more efficiently.
4. Saw
Possessing the appropriate tools is crucial to successfully completing DIY home improvement projects. By purchasing quality tools in advance, purchasing will save on rental equipment expenses while also helping prevent costly errors such as drilling through live wires.
Hand saws are essential tools for cutting wood. Jig saws can also come in handy when dealing with curves or irregularly-shaped objects.
5. Pliers
Pliers are versatile tools used for gripping, tightening, loosening, cutting and more. From bending thick metal wire to loosening faucet nuts on their own plumbing fixtures – DIYers often rely on versatile combination pliers as essential tools.
Lineman pliers (commonly referred to as electrician’s pliers) can help make electrical tasks simpler by stripping away protective layers from wire insulation and revealing it underneath. Also consider including needlenose pliers and wire cutters in your tool box for additional electrical needs.
6. Drill
No home improvement toolbox would be complete without an efficient cordless drill, which is essential to assembling furniture, hanging mirrors or repainting the walls with new paint. A powerful one will enable you to accomplish these tasks efficiently.
As part of any project, having drill bits with flat and phillips heads – as well as flat bits for drilling through wood for screws – will make the work go faster.
7. Reciprocating Saw
Reciprocating saws, commonly known as hacksaws, possess enough power to demolish wood and metal materials with ease. Some models even come equipped with special blades for more specialized tasks such as cutting protruding pipes or opening smooth rectangles in drywall.
Reciprocating saws are popularly used for demolition and remodelling of stud wall partitions and timber framed structures, as well as demolition/remodelling projects of any kind. They’re great power tools to have in your arsenal when hand tools, wood saws and jigsaws just aren’t cutting it.
8. Hammer Drill
Drills are essential tools for assembling contemporary furniture or installing a doorbell or gate, and can even be fitted with special attachments like heavy-duty cleaning scrubbing brushes, stirrers for paint mixing and even sharpening bits for sharpening lawnmower blades.
A hammer drill features an additional mechanism that gives its bit a linear striking action as it rotates, enabling it to penetrate brick, concrete and other forms of masonry with ease, particularly thick walls.
9. Hammer Bits
An assortment of nails and screws in various types and sizes should cover most simple repairs as well as creative decorating projects. Consider also including finishing nails, galvanized nails or drywall screws in your collection for even greater coverage.
Utilizing the appropriate tools for home improvement and construction projects is key to saving money on labor costs. A variety of cutting tools is an absolute necessity in any undertaking, while the right drill can make work much simpler.
10. Nailer
Nailers are multifunctional tools used for DIY and construction work. This device drives nails of various lengths into various materials.
Brad nailers are used for carpentry and trim work such as baseboard installation or window and door casing installation, while finish nailers use thicker 15 or 16 gauge nails with larger heads to secure more secure holds.
