As a homeowner, you naturally want to keep your home in the best condition possible. There are always little odd jobs that need to be done around the home. Whether you are changing a light bulb, fixing a loose chair leg, hanging some art pieces or putting up some shelves, you need to ensure that you have the tools you need to get the work done right. Looking after odd jobs or even taking on larger DIY projects is a great way to keep your home at its very best while saving you money in the long run too.
Being able to take on DIY jobs yourself will not only save you money by hiring a handyman, but it can be very rewarding too. Looking after your home yourself can give you a great sense of accomplishment. However, to do the work properly and to enjoy your DIY work, you need to have the right tools in your toolbox. Using the right tools will allow you to work more efficiently, stay safe and complete the work to the best standard possible. There are countless different tools that you can buy nowadays but if you’re just starting out with DIY, there are some essentials that you will need.
Let’s take a look at the most important tools you will need to take on DIY projects in your home.
Power Drill
Whether you’re hanging curtains or building furniture, a power drill is one tool everyone should own. Cordless drills are a great option as they give you more flexibility when it comes to moving around or getting into hard to reach places. There is a great selection of drills online that offer a range of different features. Be sure to research your options to find a solution that will work for you.
Hammer
A hammer is an absolute must for any toolbox. There is a range of different hammers you can choose from but a regular claw hammer is the best option. Claw hammers allow you to easily remove nails, lift floorboards or use the claw as a mini crowbar.
Screwdrivers
Every DIY enthusiast needs a decent set of screwdrivers. At a bare minimum, you will need a big and a small Philips screwdriver, as well as a big and a small flat-head screwdriver. Its’ always wise to have a set of mini screwdrivers and a set of Allen keys are always useful to have. A great solution for beginners is a multi-bit screwdriver set which comes with a handle and a selection of bits of different sizes and shapes.
Stanley Knife
A good knife is an important tool to have in your DIY toolbox. Whether you’re marking timber, cutting lino, or you simply need to sharpen your pencil, a Stanley knife is always good to have to hand. A knife with a retractable blade is advisable as it will be less likely to injure you when it’s not in use.
Tape Measure
As the old saying goes “measure twice, cut once”. To ensure your measurements are correct, you will need to have a good tape measure. Tape measures are a simple tool that allows you to be more accurate when you are doing your DIY projects. There are countless models available, just be sure to choose a durable model that can take heavy use.
Level
If you’re putting up shelving, hanging a photo or installing a new cabinet, you need to ensure that everything is in a straight line. You need to ensure that whatever you are working on is perfectly level. This is also a great tool to have for sketching straight lines on surfaces when you’re decorating.
Pliers
Once you have added pliers to your toolbox, you will wonder how you ever got by without them. Pliers are incredibly versatile tools allowing you to pull, grip, tighten, loosen, twist, screw and cut, depending on your requirements. They can be used to pull things apart, twist things together, provide leverage, or grip pieces that you are working on. This is one tool every DIY enthusiast should own.
Crescent Spanner
If you are working with nuts and bolts, you will need a range of spanners to fit the different sized nuts around your home. As you get further into your DIY career, you will realise that there are countless different sized nuts and bolts around your home and it can be almost impossible to have individual spanners for every possible size. A crescent spanner is a perfect solution to this problem as the head can be adjusted to fit whatever size nut you are working with.
Make Sure You Always Have The Right Tool For The Job At Hand
Having the right tool for the job you are working on will allow you to work more efficiently and get the best results possible from your DIY projects. The tools mentioned above are the first tools you will need to buy. However, as your DIY journey continues to evolve, your toolbox will swell as you continue to add more tools to your arsenal.