Every homeowner knows how important it is to have the right tools on hand. But with all the different types of tools available, which ones should you invest in for home maintenance and DIY projects? You don’t want to be caught off guard when an unexpected repair arrives or waste time and money purchasing items you could’ve bought at a fraction of the cost. Make sure you have the tools every homeowner needs when needed.
We’ve created a comprehensive list of essential tools that every property owner needs for basic repairs so you can go into any situation prepared without breaking the bank. This blog post will cover everything from wrenches and hammers to cordless drills and safety glasses -all left for you to do is click the links to see our recommended tools every home should have. No need to get them all now unless you have a repair. However, picking up a few to get started and as you go will help a lot when needed. Here is the list of tools you need around the house.
Start with a Claw Hammer – A Good One
A hammer tops the list of tools for homeowners. The right hammer can be used for banging nails into wood, taking apart furniture, and even hanging pictures. There are various types of hammers to choose from, but it’s best to have one that is heavy-duty and can handle different sizes of nails. Look for features such as an ergonomic handle, curved claw, and a magnetic nail starter to make the job easier. The rip claw end is helpful to remove nails and pray away things that need to be removed.
When using your hammer, make sure you use enough power to get the nail in securely – but not too much, or you could damage the material! Always wear safety glasses and work gloves while working with tools to keep your eyes and hands safe from flying debris or splinters. Investing in a good hammer will definitely come in handy when it comes time for home repairs or home improvement projects at your house.
The Versatility of the Screwdriver Set
A screwdriver, or rather a variety of them, is also a must. It’s one of those tools that you’ll reach for again and again when it comes to handling various tasks. The best sets come with both Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers in both long and short variations. An assortment in your toolbox is essential, and one or two in a junk drawer is also handy.
The Amartisan 10-Piece Magnetic Screwdrivers Set is a premium magnetic screwdriver set with ten professional-grade screwdrivers, each thoughtfully designed for various applications. The robust chromium-vanadium steel construction of the screwdriver bar ensures its long-lasting durability. Each screwdriver has an ergonomic TPR handle that provides a cushioned grip for optimal comfort and control, enhancing the overall user experience. The magnetic tips of the black-finished blades increase their utility by allowing them to attract screws effortlessly. Each set includes a transparent storage bucket to ensure that no screwdriver is lost or misplaced. This set is a must-have for both professional and personal use due to its combination of premium materials, useful features, and intelligent storage options.
When buying a screwdriver set, make sure you invest in a quality kit from a top brand like Dewalt, Milwaukee, Klein Tools or Channellock. Quality brands will provide superior torque and power as well as a comfortable grip that makes putting together furniture or hanging pictures much easier than using cheap knockoffs. Be sure to look for kits that include multiple sizes so you can use them for small nuts and bolts all the way up to larger screws used for heavier-duty home projects.
Why Pliers and Wrench Set are a Must in a Tool Bag
Pliers are an essential tool for many home repairs, as they can be used in a wide variety of applications. Pliers come in handy for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts, gripping materials such as wire, and even cutting items like rubber hoses. A good set of pliers should include a pair of channel locks – heavy-duty pliers with curved jaws that are designed to have more leverage than traditional pliers – as well as needle-nose pliers, which are useful for working in tight spaces. Many sets also come with long nose pliers, diagonal cutting nippers, and slip joint adjustable wrenches; all of these tools can help make it easier to complete home improvement projects.
The WORKPRO Large Pliers & Wrench Set is a comprehensive 6-piece set designed to enhance user practice with larger hand tools. These tools, manufactured from drop-forged and heat-treated carbon steel, ensure durability and robust strength. The surface of each tool is polished to increase resistance against corrosion, while the double plastisol dipped handles provide a comfortable and anti-slip grip. The set includes various types of pliers and a wrench: a 10-inch slip joint plier, 8-inch linesman plier, 8-inch long nose plier, 6-inch diagonal plier, 10-inch groove joint plier, and an 8-inch adjustable wrench, making it an ideal choice for various DIY and home use tasks
The Cordless Drill: An Essential Tool
A cordless drill is one of the best tools you can have in your home. This power tool comes in handy for a variety of tasks, such as putting together furniture, hanging pictures, tightening nuts and bolts, and driving screws into walls or wood. A quality cordless drill will offer you the flexibility to work with different sizes of screws and a range of power options that make it useful for drilling holes into surfaces like brickwork or tile, as well as wooden materials.
The Dewalt 20V max Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless Power Drill/Driver Kit is compact and lightweight for extended use in tight spaces. This cordless drill with battery and charger features a high-speed transmission with two-speed settings, allowing users to select the level of performance required for various applications.
Suppose you don’t want to invest too much money at first. In that case, mid-tier products are also available from brands like Bosch Power Tool Starter Kit, which includes 14 tools at a decent price point and a tool bag for storage purposes, making it ideal for DIY projects around the home.
One final note on a cordless drill: It is not a matter of if but more of when you will be using a drill. You will have projects that require a drill, and a good quality drill will last a lifetime, so a good cordless drill makes good sense to have in your home. You may also want to pick up some bits, such as this 14-piece Dewalt Drill Bit Set, which will take care of most projects.
The Precision of a Utility Knife
While it may not seem like it, certain tools, such as a good utility knife, are essential around the home. From cutting cardboard boxes to opening packages, a good quality utility knife can be used for many different things. It’s also great for DIY projects such as putting together furniture or hanging pictures.
WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife features an anti-slip ABS grip and a high-quality steel handle for increased safety. The ergonomic shape of the grip accommodates your hands. There is no need to worry about the blade slipping while working. In addition, our razor knife is constructed with a back lock that securely holds the blades in place while in use and permits one-handed opening and closing.
A quality utility knife should have adjustable jaws that allow you to replace the blade when it gets dull or damaged. It should also come with two long and short blades so you can easily switch out the right blade depending on your task. When buying a new utility knife, make sure to check if it has imperial and metric measurements marked on its body; this will make measuring easier when needed.
The Trustworthy 25-foot Tape Measure for Homeowners
A tape measure comes in handy for a variety of tasks, like measuring the dimensions of rooms when hanging pictures or putting together furniture, or measuring lumber and other materials when doing home improvement projects.
The CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure, a 25-foot Self-Lock tape measure, is equipped with blades that remain locked until you press a button to retract them. The auto-locking feature provides a smooth, comfortable retraction to prevent the hook from slamming into the case, thereby making the tapes more user-friendly and durable. The blade is printed with fractions to facilitate measurement.
For more accuracy, some higher-end models also feature laser technology, making it easier to take longer measurements without asking someone else for help. And if you need even more precision, consider getting an electronic calibrator or digital caliper instead. These terms are interchangeable, giving you extremely precise readings down to fractions of millimeters or inches.
Achieving Balance with a Level
A level is an essential tool for any homeowner, as it allows you to check whether surfaces are straight and even. If you’re hanging pictures or putting together furniture, a level helps ensure that nothing looks lopsided. It can also be used when constructing walls or shelves to make sure they’re plumb (i.e., perfectly vertical).
Most levels usually come in two sizes: short and long. The shorter ones are great for smaller projects around the house, such as hanging up artwork or checking if your kitchen cabinets are evenly mounted on the wall. Longer levels—24 inches or more—are ideal for larger home improvement projects like building walls or decks. You can either find curved levels with a bubble vial inside them, which reflects light from one end so you can see when something is perfectly level, or digital electronic models that give you an exact reading of how many degrees off-level something is.
The Amazon Basics 9-Inch Magnetic Torpedo Level offers high-accuracy leveling with its 3 vials for horizontal, vertical, and 45 degrees alignment. Its robust construction features ABS and aluminum frame and TPR coating for strength. With a magnetic edge for hands-free use, this lightweight tool is ideal for home decor and furnishing tasks. Its clear acrylic glass vials contain a bright fluorescent liquid for easy reading, and an integrated ruler offers both metric and imperial measurements.
Sandpaper and Blocks for the Rough Edges
Sandpaper comes in handy when it’s time to refinish furniture, hang wall art, or for any other project requiring a smooth finish. Depending on your job, you’ll want sandpaper with different levels of grit; these range from coarse (lower numbers) to extra fine (higher numbers). Look for non-clogging varieties if you need something lasting longer and providing superior results. You may also want to grab some steel wool pads, putty knives, and sandpaper. With the right tools on hand, you’ll be able to tackle plenty of home improvement projects.
The WaterLuu Wet & Dry Sandpapers is a 42-pack kit comprising 14 types of sandpaper grits from 120g to 3000g. The sandpapers, crafted with silicon carbide abrasives and an electro-coated technology, provide a long lifespan and uniform grit distribution. Suitable for both wet and dry sanding, the sandpapers are perfect for diverse applications, such as polishing auto bodies, descaling water pumps, and sanding pool tiles. Sized at 9 by 3-5/8 inches, they fit a 6-1/2 by 3-3/8 inches hand sander sponge for convenient, one-handed operations.
A Putty Knife for Holes and Such
Putty knives should be included in your tool kit. They come in handy when doing basic repairs, such as filling small cracks or holes, removing old paint or wallpaper, and smoothing joints. The most common type of putty knife is the flex blade which has a flexible blade that can reach tight spaces and contour surfaces. A variety of blade sizes are available, including 1-inch to 6-inch blades with different widths that make it easier to work on different projects. It’s also important to look for a putty knife with a comfortable grip so that you can hold it firmly while working on your project.
The Beyotool 4Pcs Spackle Putty Knife Set includes standard-sized putty knives that are suitable for nearly all jobs. They are made of resilient stainless steel, have soft rubber grips, and are ergonomically designed so that you can easily and securely hold them even when the work becomes challenging.
Caulk Gun to Fill in the Cracks
A caulk gun is one of those tools that every homeowner needs in their toolkit. It can come in handy for a variety of tasks, from sealing cracks and gaps to putting together furniture and hanging wall art. The kit includes a standard heavy-duty plastic caulk gun with adjustable jaws to accommodate different sizes of caulking tubes.
The Newborn 930-GTD Drip-Free Smooth Hex Rod Cradle caulking gun has a steel half-barrel frame that accommodates 1/10-gallon cartridges and a 10:1 thrust ratio for low-viscosity materials such as latex. A ratchet-style pressure rod requires more force and is noisier than a smooth pressure rod. After each trigger pull, the rod retracts, relieving pressure on the tube to prevent dripping. The grip and trigger are padded for convenience. In the back, there is a welded plate for securing the cartridge. Built into the side of the gun are a seal puncture tool and a spout cutter for opening cartridges without a knife, and the back hook allows it to be hung from a ladder.
The power goes into the handle, which you’ll need to hold firmly as you pull the trigger and release the material through the nozzle. You won’t have to worry about manually squeezing it here; applying pressure on the trigger will automatically pull back for easy application. You’ll also need to be more careful with how much caulk or adhesive comes out each time because there is no way of controlling the flow, unlike smaller syringes requiring manual squeezing action for dispensing materials.
Finding Studs: The Convenience of a Stud Finder
A stud finder is an essential tool for any homeowner. It allows you to locate the exact location of wooden studs behind walls and other surfaces, which are necessary for hanging pictures, shelves, or other items on a wall.
The Stud Finder Wall Scanner is a multi-functional tool with a highly sensitive micro-sensor chip for rapidly and precisely detecting studs, metals, pipes, and live AC wires within walls, floors, and ceilings. It features a 5-in-1 detection mode for varying depths and types of scanning. The tool is equipped with an LCD display and sound alarm to indicate the exact location of objects. It’s user-friendly with an easy-to-read LCD, ergonomic handle, and automatic calibration to reduce errors and enhance reliability.
The Safe Step Ladder: A Must for Every Home
Ladders and step ladders are essential tools every homeowner needs for basic repairs. Whether you need to reach something up high or to get into a crawlspace, having the right ladder on hand can make all the difference.
When selecting a ladder, consider one of two types: a standard A-Frame or an extension ladder. Both come in handy when doing odd jobs around your home, like changing lightbulbs, hanging pictures, painting walls or ceilings, or cleaning windows. The main difference is that an A-Frame ladder will stay steady once it’s set up, while an extension ladder will need to be braced against something sturdy, like a wall, for stability. Extension ladders also come in handy when reaching higher heights, as they can be extended in length as needed.
With its large tool platform, the HBTower Folding 4-Step Steel Ladder is a portable and compact unit designed for indoor and outdoor use. It is made from high-grade steel, ensuring strength and reliability. It features a non-slip design for added safety, folds to just 1.6″ for storage, and can support up to 330 pounds. The top makes a great place to hold tools while you work.
The Soctone Ladder is a versatile, high-quality aluminum telescopic ladder designed for improved stability and efficiency. Enhanced with two new stabilizer bars, it improves stability by 36%. Its unique features include a removable tool tray for increased work efficiency and safety mechanisms such as Protection Hinge Lock and Solid J Lock. This 17ft ladder, capable of handling up to 330 pounds, caters to both indoor and outdoor applications, such as changing light bulbs or repairing roofs, and you can climb up to the top step.
Safety Glasses for Safty First
Safety glasses are an essential tool that every homeowner should have on hand. Not only do they protect your eyes from debris, but they can also help prevent strain or fatigue during longer projects. When looking for safety glasses, look for products with lenses that offer 99-100% UV protection and a comfortable fit. It’s also important to make sure the glasses don’t fog up easily, as this could inhibit your ability to see clearly while working. Additionally, you’ll want to opt for impact-resistant lenses and be sure to purchase multiple pairs in different sizes so you always have one on hand when needed.
The DEWALT DPG94 Dominator Safety Glasses combine modern design with top-notch protection. They offer an array of lens colors, a secure fit via rubber-tipped temples, and a rubber nosepiece. Meeting the Z87.1 impact protection standard and providing 99% UV protection, they’re praised for their comfort and durability, even under harsh conditions [[2](https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DPG94-1C-Dominator-SAFETY-Glasses/dp/B002IVTX8E)].
Work Gloves to Protect Your Hands
Work gloves are an essential tool for any homeowner. They can be used to protect your hands when handling sharp tools, heavy objects, and hazardous materials. They can also come in handy when doing DIY projects or home improvement projects involving power tools or other types of machinery.
When choosing work gloves, look for durable materials with a good grip on the palm and fingers. The best gloves will also fit snugly around your wrists while allowing you to move comfortably and easily access items like nuts and bolts. Make sure to get a few pairs of different sizes so they’ll be versatile enough for various tasks around the house.
The NoCry Cut Resistant Work Gloves are a high-level protective solution, incorporating stainless steel reinforcements for increased durability. They maintain a cut resistance rating of EN388 Level 5, providing top-tier safety against cuts and nicks. The gloves are lightweight, comfortable, and available in various sizes, suitable for both men and women. They’re safe for food preparation tasks and versatile enough for wood carving, fishing, and more. As an added convenience, these gloves are machine washable and designed for longevity.
The HANDLANDY Mens Work Gloves are light-duty, flexible, and breathable, designed with stretchable spandex back for comfortable wear. The touch screen-compatible fingertips allow the usage of devices without removing the gloves. These gloves also feature foam padding on the knuckles and palms for reduced impact and vibration during hand tool use, making them perfect for gardening and home improvement tasks.
The Underestimated Flashlight: Essential for Every Toolkit
A reliable flashlight is an often underestimated tool but is essential for every homeowner’s toolkit. From power outages to working in dark or confined spaces, a good work light provides the necessary illumination for various tasks. Opt for a durable, compact flashlight that offers a bright light output.
The LE LED Flashlight LE1000 is a compact, bright, portable device with a high lumen output and a 492ft beam distance. It boasts a skid-proof, IPX4 water-resistant design made from military-grade aluminum, ideal for indoor or outdoor activities, even in wet conditions. Its zoomable feature allows the adjustable focus to obtain spot or flood beams. Weighing 128g, this flashlight is easy to carry and perfect for activities like camping, hunting, and dog walking.
Toolbox or Toolbag – Keep It All Together
Having the right tools on hand is essential for any homeowner. A toolbox or a tool bag can come in handy to store and organize your tools, making it easy to find them when needed.
When choosing a toolbox or bag, look for one that’s sturdy and made of high-quality materials. It should be large enough to fit all your basic tools like a screwdriver set, wrench set, pliers, cordless drill, utility knife, tape measure, level, saw, and sandpaper without having to stuff them in too tightly. Additionally, make sure the handle is strong and comfortable so you can carry it around easily if need be.
The WORKPRO 16-inch Wide Mouth Tool Bag is a durable and reliable tool bag made from 600D polyester fabric, ensuring unmatched durability. It features multiple pockets for versatile storage and organization of tools, with a large interior space for easy retrieval. The wide open mouth and double-pull zipper provide convenient access to tools. The tool bag also has an abrasion-resistant and waterproof base, protecting tools from damage and moisture. Overall, it offers exceptional functionality and longevity for professionals and homeowners needing a reliable tool storage solution. It may not hold larger tools like your cordless drill but will take care of the rest with room to spare.
Final Thoughts
A tool kit is essential for every home, and having the right tools on hand is important. Depending on what kind of projects you’ll need to tackle around your home, one of those tools should be a screwdriver set. Choose one with both Phillips and flat heads so you can easily loosen or tighten screws.
A good hammer is also a must-have tool in any homeowner’s arsenal—you’ll need it to drive nails into wood when putting together furniture, hanging pictures, etc. When choosing a hammer, look for one with a claw that’s long enough to rip out old nails but small enough not to split the wood while doing so.
You should also keep a wrench set handy so you can use it for tightening nuts and bolts when needed. For small tasks like these, adjustable wrenches come in handy as they allow you to work on different sizes without having to switch between different types of wrenches all the time. Another great item in this category are channel-lock pliers, which have multiple jaws that can grip onto objects with ease and help you make even tight adjustments quickly and efficiently.
It’s also wise to invest in a cordless drill as well as some drill bits if larger repairs are required from time to time throughout your home ownership journey; power drills provide more force than manual drills do, making them invaluable when putting together furniture or any other DIY project requiring screws or fasteners with larger threads or thicker lumber material such as tongue-and-groove flooring boards that require more torque than traditional nails alone would offer. A good drill will go a long way and will help you with many projects around the home. Many have a led work light built in, but if not, make sure to get a small one for those tasks that need a little light on the subject.
Depending on your needs, your home tool set may have other items, such as clamps, garden shears, or even a socket set. Choose a bag or toolbox with room to grow, as your tool collection will grow over the years. Everyone needs some tools, but many projects may require specialized tools; we are here to help. Call us when you have a larger project than your tools and your skills can handle; we are here to help.
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