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When making the transition from renter to homeowner you should plan on purchasing a few tools which will make your tasks around the house a whole lot easier.
Below are the Top 10 tools for new homeowners
- Ladder
- Screw Driver
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Tape Measure
- Stud Finder
- Garden Hose
- Shovel
- Level
- Cordless Drill
Want a little more help? Keep reading and I will provide more details and tips for each of the 10 tools. Additionally, at the end we will share the tools which just missed the list and also how to save money along the way.
1. Ladder
As early as your first day in the house you will most likely need a ladder for cleaning, simple maintenance like changing a light bulb, or even those earlier home improvement projects.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- Get a 13 foot – 17 foot multi-purpose ladder which will cost around $100 – $150 and cover 99% of your needs around the house.
2. Screw Drivers
There is a good chance you already have at least a screw driver or two but you will want to make sure at minimum you have a slotted head and phillips head screw driver. In addition to these two main types of screw drivers it would be helpful to also have a couple different sizes. Depending if you are tightening a phillips head screw on a cabinet door or opening up your thermostat by removing a small slotted screw you will need a couple sizes to choose from to ensure you don’t damage the screw while tightening.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- Either buy a 6 or 8 piece variety pack of screw drivers which will surely cover your needs or go the path of a multi-bit screw driver which will include 1 handle but multiple “bits.” Either of these options should cost around $20 – $30 for a reasonable quality set.
3. Hammer
What tool collection would be complete without a trusty hammer? You will probably put this to use more for building IKEA furniture at the start of home ownership more than carpentry but it is a must for your tool bag.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation – A normal claw hammer would be your best bet and these will run you about $5- $15 depending on the quality and features.
4. Pliers
There is a wide range of pliers available but having a few common pliers will come in handy for a variety of home maintenance and improvement projects. I usually use pliers in the areas of electrical and plumbing but it is always handy to have a couple pairs close.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- Similar to the screw drivers I would recommend picking up a 4 or 6 piece variety pack with at least a pair of slip joint, long nose, linesman, and diagonal pliers costing around $20 – $30.
5. Tape Measure
If you want to follow the timeless saying “measure twice and cut once” you are going to need a good tape measure to give you those accurate measurements. You will put this tool to use immediately measuring for furniture, ensuring items can fit through the door, and planning where all your stuff is going to go in the new home.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- There are a lot of options out there but hard to go wrong with a 25 foot Stanley PowerLock metal tape measure. These things have been around forever and will only run you about $10.
6. Stud Finder
In most modern wood homes there are wood “studs” spaced about 16 inches apart and covered with 5/8 inch drywall. So to hang anything on the wall it is always smart to find a stud to secure the nail or screw into to effectively hold the weight. Since the vast majority of the wall is hollow space you will need to use a stud finder to find these studs. With a little practice a stud finder will be easy to use and help you quickly find the location of studs in your walls.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- There are many stud finders to choose from on the market with some even giving you the equivalent of a x-ray vision but I would recommend starting off towards the lower end of the electronic stud finder spectrum. Expect to pay around $20 for a stud finder with electrical wire warning (additional feature).
7. Garden Hose
Moving to the outdoor portion of your house you will want to grab a garden hose to help with everything from washing your car to cleaning off those items not meant for the kitchen sink.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- Depending on your house and yard I would most likely stick to about a 25 foot to 50 foot garden house as a good all purpose length. If you buy a 100 foot cheap garden hose you will spend more time untangling the hose than the task at hand. You will be looking at about $30 – $50 for a 50 foot quality garden hose.
8. Shovel
A simple shovel will be a commonly used tool for a new homeowner assuming you did not purchase a townhome or condo where all of the outdoor areas are maintained for you. A shovel will come in handy for normal maintenance, landscaping, or even gardening.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- There are many different types of shovels to cover the different type of projects/application but a flat edge digging shovel will be a good all purpose shovel and cost between $20 and $30.
9. Level
A simple level will ensure you can install mirrors, paintings, or shelves level to the floor and not hung crooked or at a slight angle.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- Either a 12 inch or 24 inch carpenters level with 3 different glass vials or cylinders would work great for new homeowners. The 3 glass vials will allow you to measure horizontal (level), vertical (plumb), and 45 degree angle. You can easily spend over $100 if you want but a simple $20 level will do just fine for most applications.
10. Cordless Drill
The cordless drill has come a long way over the past 10 years with lithium Ion batteries, LED lights, and multiple settings to fit your needs. With the purchase of a cordless drill it would also be a good idea to pick up a screwdriver bit set and drill bit set.
Everyday Home Repairs Recommendation- You might get a bit overwhelmed by the shear number of cordless drill options but there are plenty of great drills available for under $100. You can even get a 18 volt or 20 volt combo kit with the cordless drill, screwdriver bits, drill bits, and additional pieces for as little as $50. Make sure the battery is lithium ion which will be lighter, last longer, and charge quicker compared to the old Ni-Cd batteries.
Want More?
Tools Which Came Close to Making the List – Utility Knife, Putty Knife, Hack saw, Adjustable (Crescent) Wrench, Reciprocating Saw, and Plunger
Need Help on Home Repairs?
Don’t forget to check out our youtube channel over at Everyday Home Repairs which will help you put all your new tools to good use.
On a Budget?
All of the tools above can cost close to $500 and right after buying a house can put most of us on a tight budget. With this is mind you can search garage sales, estate sales, thrift shops, facebook marketplace or many other online platforms to get the tools you need for a fraction of the cost.
