A basic tool kit is one of the essential things that should be found in every home. Even if you aren’t someone who’s passionate about DIY (do it yourself) projects, having a few useful tools is still important. That way, if the need arises for you to fix something around the house or put a piece of furniture together, you’ll have the right equipment for the job.
That being said, there’s probably no need for your home tool kit to be overly complex or packed with 20 different tools. However, there are a handful of items that every homeowner should have on hand. Let’s take a look at the 7 things that should be included in your home tool kit.
1) Hammer
No home tool kit will be complete without a hammer. Typically, a 16-ounce claw hammer will be a good option that’s perfect for any task that involves driving nails into wood or another surface. Plus, the hammer’s claw can be used to remove nails with ease.
A hammer will come in handy for a wide variety of household projects, ranging from furniture assembly to carpentry and framing. This tool is versatile, affordable, and easy to use and deserves a spot in your home tool kit.
2) Screwdriver Set
Another essential for your home tool kit is a set of screwdrivers. Ideally, you should have a mix of Phillips screwdrivers and flathead screwdrivers of varying sizes. Fortunately, screwdrivers are frequently sold together in sets, so you won’t need to worry about buying a bunch of them individually.
When you’re doing any kind of handiwork around the house, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need a screwdriver at some point.
Plus, these critical tools are necessary for building just about any equipment or piece of furniture. While there might be the odd situation that requires a different type of screwdriver, the vast majority of projects that the average homeowner will work on will use either a Phillips head or a flathead screw.
3) Tape Measure
There’s the old saying, “measure twice, cut once.” Having a good tape measure can save you a lot of frustration. Rather than having to guess whether a piece of furniture will fit into a specific space or what size curtains you need, the good old-fashioned tape measure will likely be one of the first tools you grab out of your home tool kit.
Measuring is likely to be imperative no matter what type of home improvement project you may be working on. With a reliable tape measure, you’ll never need to estimate sizes or distances again.
Go with a tape measure that will survive workshop conditions and hold up for the long haul. Invest now into a good tape measure, and you’ll likely never need to buy another one again. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality and heavy-duty tape measures available.
4) A Roll of Tape
Whether you’re the handiest person imaginable or you’ve never swung a hammer in your life, you undoubtedly know how valuable a good roll of tape can be. If possible, you may want to get a few different types of tape for the various circumstances that may come up.
A few good options to have in your home tool kit are duct tape, blue painter’s tape, and package sealing tape. If you ever need to tightly seal boxes, patch a small hole, or protect an interior paint job, you’ll have exactly what you need in your home tool kit.
If you put a few rolls of tape in your tool kit and use it sparingly, there’s a good chance they’ll last you for many years before you need to purchase more.
5) Nails and Screws
Just like with screwdrivers, it’s prudent to have a variety of different nails and screws in your home tool kit. You should be able to purchase a pre-packaged box with a nice assortment at your local hardware store. If you have a few different types and sizes of screws and nails, you should be good to go when you have to hang a framed photo or art piece or make any kind of repair around your household.
For organizational purposes, you’d be wise to keep your nails and screws separated based on type and size. When you eventually need to use them, keeping them sorted can save you time and annoyance.
6) Pliers
Another tool that will frequently come in handy is a quality pair of pliers. Pliers have quite a few practical uses, including working with wiring, removing staples, and gripping objects for stability.
You might want to consider having two or three sets of pliers in your home tool kit. Needle-nose pliers are essential, and having a larger, grooved pair will also come in handy if you ever need to do more heavy-duty household work.
7) Cordless Drill
Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat… many people don’t view a cordless drill as an essential item for your home tool kit. And in truth, you can certainly do without it. However, if you enjoy doing work around the house, you should absolutely invest in one. And they certainly make home maintenance jobs much faster.
These versatile tools are surprisingly affordable, but they can make all sorts of projects quicker and easier. In addition to drilling holes, cordless drills allow you to insert screwdriver bits of various sizes. If you’re willing to purchase one, it will be a massive upgrade to your home tool kit.
The Bottom Line
Although these are some of the most important items for your home tool kit, there may also be other things you want to add. Ultimately, every person has a unique situation. When putting your tool kit together, think about your personal needs and the types of projects you anticipate working on. For example, a circular saw may be invaluable for a serious carpenter, but the average homeowner can probably get by without one.
Of course, some projects require an expert to get done. Even if you have all of the tools of the trade, you won’t have the experience, education, or knowledge to be able to do the job properly.
Whether you are looking to buy a home or sell your house, you need a professional home inspector to do a thorough inspection of the home and property. At EDC, we are licensed home inspectors, meaning we must adhere to the standards and practices of our profession.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
