The Tools and Equipment Home Renovators Need to Collect
By: Alex | Date Posted: June 11, 2021
Table of Contents
Have you recently purchased your first home and plan to renovate it, doing as much of the work yourself as possible? Or perhaps you plan to do up an investment property and flip it to make a profit? Either way, if youâre new to renovating, itâs essential to make sure you have all the tools necessary to get the job done right.
You donât want to have to keep stopping what youâre doing to buy, hire, or borrow equipment from others, especially when youâre on tight deadlines. There are multiple items you want in your collection today.
Protective Gear
Stock up on protective gear so you can do your work safely. Wear safety glasses when using power or hand tools where sparks, dust, or objects might fly. Choose safety-tested glasses or full-face shields when using a grinder or other more dangerous tools. Itâs also necessary to wear a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs from sawdust, insulation fibers, chemicals, toxins, and the like. Protect your hearing by wear earplugs or over-the-ear muffs, too.
Ladder
An indispensable tool to have on hand is a decent ladder. Youâll invariably have to get up high to attend to things on the ceiling, roof, top of walls, cupboards, etc., and for painting and patching. Youâll probably need to get into the roof access of your home at some point, too, and need a ladder to do so. A decent fiberglass grating extension ladder is also helpful for outside work, such as pruning tall trees or cleaning or inspecting the roof of your home. Plus, it pays to have a small stepladder on hand for quick jobs at lower levels, so you donât always have to drag out a bulky product each time.
Measuring Tape
A piece of equipment thatâs small but mighty is the helpful measuring tape. Buy a reliable, retractable tape with plenty of lengths and a locking level. Itâs nice to have one with a convenient belt hook, so youâre not constantly looking for the tape. Use the tape measure around your property to determine flooring and wall sizes, your kitchen appliance needs, and more. You may want to buy a second one to put in your car for when youâre at the home-depot store or other shops buying drapes, furniture, pieces of wood, etc.
Saws
Depending on the level of renovation work youâre going to tackle, you may not need a huge assortment of expensive power tools, but youâll likely want to have at least a couple of saws available. Purchase a hacksaw and set of tine snips to handle many of your basic metal cutting needs, as well as a sturdy handsaw for cutting wood and for landscaping tasks.
Power saws are particularly handy. A cordless jigsaw will allow you to cut curves and make straight cuts effectively, while circular saws are better and faster at dealing with thick material such as lumber. Youâll also want to have a miter saw on hand for trim work and other jobs. A sliding saw is the most versatile.
Drills
A drill is a tool youâll no doubt use frequently. A cordless drill eliminates the need to be close to electrical switches, so itâs handy for a multitude of jobs, including those up in the roof, outdoors, or in a basic attic or basement space. Itâs a good idea to invest in a drill with a nickel-cadmium battery that should last longer while also recharging more quickly.
When choosing your tool, look for a product with trigger control so you can easily change from slow to fast drilling, too. Another tip regarding the cordless tools you buy (including battery-operated sanders and the like) is to stick with one brand. That way, the batteries may be interchangeable. What are some Reliable Cordless Tools?
Screwdrivers
One of the most important pieces youâll find yourself reaching for time and time again has to be the trusty screwdriver. Youâll need a supply of these tools on hand in different types (including straight and slotted designs) and sizes.
Alternatively, to reduce gear and save space, consider purchasing a multi-bit screwdriver. This will allow you to avoid having so many individual options. You can buy inserts for these multi-use products that fit a wide variety of screws to suit all sorts of situations.
Painting and Patching Supplies
Any renovator tends to do at least some patching and painting work over the years, whether to repair walls or freshen up with a fresh coat of color. Fill up your supplies closet with products such as quality brushes and rollers in different sizes, plus at least a couple of putty and taping knives to use for filling and spackling jobs.
Plus, youâll need a sanding block to smooth rough surfaces. It pays to invest in an electric handheld sander for bigger jobs, too, to take some of the load off your arms and shoulders.
Landscaping Tools
Donât forget that youâre sure to do some work on the external areas of your property, too. As such, youâll want to stock up on useful landscaping tools. For example, buy a lawnmower for grass maintenance and a spreader and aerator for fertilizing the lawn and getting more air down into the roots of it. Plus, purchase a shovel, a good-sized rake or two, a gardenerâs trowel, at least one long hose, and hand pruners and loppers. An arboristâs saw is also handy, as is a wheelbarrow.
Sledgehammer
Many renovation jobs involve at least some demolition work. As such, have a sledgehammer nearby to help you get the job done faster and more easily. These can be pretty heavy so test out a few to find one light enough for you to wield.
Some other key pieces to stock up on for your remodeling jobs are proper lighting equipment for night-time or work in dark spaces, a laser level, extension cords, and pliers. Youâll need one or two hammers, a wrench, and appropriate cleaning gear, what you can buy on local electrical supply store. Once stocked up, you can get going with all your renovation work and wonât have to keep stopping to source items.
Thank you for reading!
