Top 15 Tools for the DIY Homeowner
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Despite having virtually no home renovation experience, we bought a fixer upper in Spring 2022 and are doing 95% of renovation ourselves. Naturally, this required us to get really comfortable working with power tools really fast.
After working on our DIY home renovation for the last 18 months, here are our 15 must-have tools for any DIY home renovation project.
If you’re missing any of the tools on this list, they’re perfect to add to your birthday and holiday wish lists.
Top 15 Tools for the DIY Homeowner
5 in 1 Tool
We find ourselves reaching for a 5 in 1 Tool at some point in almost every project. A 5 in 1 tool is a multi-functional tool that combines five different tools into one handy gadget. It usually includes a scraper, a putty knife, a paint can opener, a roller cleaner, and a nail puller.
It saves space, time, and money, and makes tackling home improvement projects a breeze!
Plus, who doesn't love a tool that can do it all?!
Putty Knife
A putty knife is a flat, thin blade used for scraping, spreading, and smoothing various materials such as putty, spackle, and caulk.
Whether you're patching up holes in your walls or doing some DIY projects, a putty knife is a must-have for any homeowner. If you plan on doing any sort of repair work to your walls, you’re going to want this in your tool box.
We’ve also used it to remove wood grain from doors, and even for some arts and crafts.
Definitely add it to your toolkit - your future self will thank you!
Utility Knife
A utility knife is another cutting tool that can handle a variety of tasks around the house. It's great for opening boxes, cutting through rope or carpet, and even trimming plants.
As a homeowner, having a utility knife on hand can make your life easier and more efficient.
Plus, it's just plain fun to use! (just be safe when using it)
Hammer
A staple in any tool kit—a hammer is a tool with a heavy metal head attached to a handle, typically used for driving nails into wood or other materials.
Homeowners may need a hammer for various DIY projects or household repairs, such as hanging pictures or assembling furniture, and it’s come in handy while demoing our bathroom, baseboards, etc.
Pliers
Pliers are a hand tool with two handles and a pair of jaws that pivot to grip, twist, or cut objects. They can be used for many different tasks such as gripping nails, bending wires, tightening bolts, and cutting through tough materials.
As a homeowner, having a set of pliers can come in handy for DIY repairs, gardening, and other household projects.
Think of them as the superhero of hand tools! We genuinely use this kit at least once a week.
Wrenches
Wrenches are tools used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. They come in different sizes and shapes, but the most common ones are adjustable wrenches, socket wrenches, and combination wrenches. We invested in a kit similar to this one for our tool collection, and it’s super helpful having multiple sizes and shapes of wrenches available when you need them.
As a homeowner, having a wrench is essential because it allows you to perform basic maintenance and repairs around the house, such as fixing leaky faucets, assembling furniture, and changing light fixtures.
With a wrench, you can easily tighten or loosen bolts and nuts without damaging them.
10/10 recommend if you don’t have any already.
Speed Square
This is one of those tools that I initially thought was a waste of money when Oliver ordered it, because I had no idea when we would ever actually use it.
I was so wrong!! It’s now one of my top reached for tools, and it really came in handy while we were installing new floors in our home.
A speed square is essentially a triangular-shaped tool with markings that allow you to easily measure angles and make straight cuts. Whether you're building a deck, framing a wall, or just need to make some quick measurements, a speed square can save you time and make your projects more accurate.
We now own three—a 7 inch, 12 inch, and 14 inch.
Tape Measure
You absolutely need a tape measure in your toolbox.
(Don’t just try to measure things using your wingspan like I used to do… this led me to buying a china cabinet that was 7 INCHES longer than the wall I wanted to put it on 😂)
This versatile, nifty, and indispensable tool can help you measure furniture, plan home improvement projects, and unleash your inner DIY pro.
Pry Bar
A pry bar is a tool used to pry or lift objects. It’s helpful for tasks like removing nails, prying open doors or windows, removing drywall, and leveraging heavy objects.
We’ve used it every time we’ve removed drywall, baseboards, tile floors, and basically every type of demo work in our home.
It is a versatile tool that can come in handy for various DIY projects.
Ratcheting Screw Driver
A ratcheting screwdriver is a tool that allows you to tighten or loosen screws without having to lift and reposition the tool after each turn.
This makes it waaaay faster and easier to use than a traditional screwdriver. I pretty much refuse to use a regular screwdriver unless it’s the only one available, because a ratcheting screwdriver is so much better.
Homeowners should have one because it can be used for a variety of tasks, from simple repairs to more complex projects. Its versatility and convenience make it a valuable addition to any toolbox. We really love this ratcheting screwdriver multibit set by Craftsman.
Moisture Meter
A moisture meter is a device used to measure the moisture content in a material or substance, such as wood, concrete, or soil. It can help prevent damage and ensure the material's quality.
Every homeowner should own a moisture meter because it can help detect water leaks, prevent mold growth, and protect the structural integrity of your home… which can save you time and money in the long run.
If we had known moisture meters existed before buying this home, we probably would have caught the black mold growing in our basement during the inspection that our inspector missed (he didn’t have a moisture meter either).
Impact Driver
An impact driver is a powerful tool used for driving screws and tightening nuts and bolts.
With its high torque and quick bursts of power, an impact driver can handle tough materials, such as thick wood and metal. Plus, it's lightweight and compact, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
So, whether you're building a deck or assembling furniture, an impact driver is a handy tool that can save you time and effort.
And who doesn't love getting things done faster and easier?
Orbital Sander
An orbital sander is a power tool that uses an oscillating circular sanding pad to smooth surfaces.
It's typically used for refinishing furniture, sanding down rough spots on walls, or removing paint and rust from metal surfaces.
An orbital sander can save time and effort compared to manual sanding, and it can help achieve a more professional-looking finish.
As someone that hates sanding, 11/10 recommend.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is a power tool that uses a circular blade to cut through various materials such as wood, plastic, and metal. It's commonly used in construction, woodworking, and DIY projects.
As a homeowner, a circular saw can be a versatile tool for cutting lumber for home repair and renovation projects, and even for making custom furniture.
With a circular saw, you can achieve straight and precise cuts quickly and easily.
Plus, it's a fun and empowering tool to have in your toolbox! Just make sure you are being safe and careful while using it.
Laser Level
A laser level is a tool that projects a straight line of light, making it easy to level surfaces and ensure accuracy in construction or DIY projects.
We’ve used our laser level for tasks like hanging curtain rods, picture frames, installing shelves or cabinets, laying tiles, and more.
Having a laser level can save time and frustration by making sure everything is level and straight the first time around, without needing to hold a regular level straight. If you’re doing any solo DIY work, a laser level is a must have.
Final Thoughts
These 15 tools are essential for any DIY homeowner looking to tackle projects around the house.
From the basic tape measure and screwdriver to the more advanced power saws and drills, having these tools on hand will make home improvement tasks easier and more efficient.
Investing in quality tools will save you time and money in the long run, and allow you to take on bigger and more challenging projects.
Happy DIY-ing!