Here at ToolNerds.com we get asked the same questions a lot, and the number one question we get from new homeowners is what tools, if any, do I need when I buy a house. So we put this list together to help people understand what they need and why.
#1 a quality tape measure - There is nothing worse then buying a piece of furniture or even worse flooring and not getting the correct size or amount. Buying a 30 foot long tape measure with a long standout (standout is the length the tape measure can be extended without anyone holding the end) will come in handy and save lots of time and money on mistakes. We recommend Stanly FatMax 35ft. tape as it is long enough to do any job and build to last decades, and for around $30 totally worth the investment.
#2 Claw Hammer – A 16 – 20 oz claw hammer is one of the most used tools in any tool bag, from hanging pictures to chasing down spiders a claw hammer is one must have tool for your bag.
#3 Screwdriver set – This is one thing most people overlook but a necessity, getting a quality screwdriver set in both Flat and Phillip head drivers in varying sizes can take the stress out of many projects. Not all screws have the same heads and not all heads are the same size so using the proper driver for the job saves a lot of hassle by not stripping the head off the screw.
#4 Stud finder – There is nothing worse then trying to hand something on a wall and not being able to find the stud. Modern stud finders are honestly amazing and work really well compared to the models only a few years old. Stud finders can be found in every home improvement store and it takes the guesswork out of hanging anything.
#5 Basic level – as simple as this sounds a basic bubble level is one of the most overlooked and important things a person can own. It saves time and energy when hanging things and is the simplest tool to use and allows you to know things are even the way they should be.
#6 Vise grip pliers – From pulling nails, bending metal to opening stuck tubes of glue there is no replacement for the gripping power and strength of vise grip pliers. They are a must have and a no-brainer for your bag.
#7 Retractable blade box cutter – As strange as this sounds this is one of the most highly used tools in home repair. When you need to cut or score something these do the job and quickly, the best part is most hold extra blades so you will have the ability to do hundreds of projects without thinking about it.
#8 Tool Bag – There is no point in buying tools if you have no place to store them to keep them nice and in one spot, a quality tool bag can cost as little as $15 and gives you one location to go when you have a project to do. There is nothing worse then having something as simple as hanging a picture and having to search the house for your hammer.
The more advanced DIY would also benefit from a cordless 18 volt (or greater) multi-tool kits. These kits are great, can be used for countless projects and will last years if properly stored. Most kits include a drill/driver, a circular saw, reciprocating saw, skil saw, flashlight and oscillating multi-tool. Due to the fact you will have them a long while, if the budget allows we recommend buying a professional grade like Dewalt as they have great warranties and the batteries last a long time.
We choose these tools because they are versatile, can come in handy on most any project and are the base tools we keep in our tool bags.
If you have more questions or need help selecting a tool stop by ToolNerds.com and we would be glad to help.
This article was writen and owned by Tyler Saunders and ToolNerds.com and is to not be copied or modified in anyway.
