Whether you just bought a house or want to upgrade your tired tool kit, use this guide to nail down the essentials.

There’s something empowering about having your own set of tools to take care of the home you own. Having a well-stocked toolbox can be liberating — it means you don’t have to call a handyman or a friend to tighten a loose cabinet pull or assemble the bookshelves you just bought. So, which tools should you start with? We consulted a few tool experts and home improvement influencers, and here are the essential tools for homeowners they recommend.

1. Hammer - A hammer is the hardest working tool you’ll ever own. And it should be at the top of your list of tools every homeowner needs.

2. Socket Wrench Set - A socket wrench is basically a wrench with multiple heads. Instead of buying a bunch of conventional wrenches in a range of sizes, get a socket wrench set.

3. Tape Measure - Tape measures are the second most essential tool for homeowners. Get one that is 25 feet long so you can measure big and little stuff.

4. 4-in-1 Screwdriver - Instead of buying a set of screwdrivers, opt for this affordable tool that does the work of four screwdrivers. It comes with two pairs of double-ended heads (called bits) that can be swapped out of the screwdriver handle.

5. Level - No need to eyeball in and up with pictures hung askew and sloping shelves.

6. Stud Finder - Studs are the wood beams that hold up your walls. When you hang a heavy framed photo or a shelf holding heavy items, you need to find a stud because it will hold a screw or nail more securely than the drywall.

7. Flashlight - You can’t fix or install what you can’t see. Add a portable light source to your toolbox in the form of an LED flashlight.

8. Pliers - Opt for a three-piece set that includes slip-joint, needle-nose, and diagonal pliers so you can get a grip on whatever you need to work on.

9. Tongue and Groove Pliers - Get these pliers in addition to the three-piece set. Their big jaws (think giant slip-joint pliers) are useful for gripping pipes, fittings, fasteners, and other large items.

10. Nails and Screws - Buy one box each of assorted nails and screws, so you are ready for any household task, from hanging a picture to repairing the deck.

11. Utility Knife - All that online shopping you’ll be doing to furnish and decorate your new house means you’ll be opening a lot of boxes. Don’t do it with a bread knife.

12. Multi-tool - This multipurpose gadget has between 9 and 21 tools, depending on the model. Most multi-tools have pliers, a knife, a ruler, scissors, and a screwdriver or two.

13. Duct Tape - This heavy-duty adhesive tape is a jack of all trades and has a recurring role on lists of tools every homeowner needs.

14. Allen Wrench Set - You know those little L-shaped metal tools that come with Ikea furniture? They’re called Allen wrenches — or hex keys — and you should get a whole set of them so you always have the one you need for any job.

15. Cordless Drill - Battery-powered drills are the best power tool to have in your arsenal of essentials.

16. Lubricating Oil - So much depends on having this handy: a spray can of lubricant anti-corrosives that can stop doors from squeaking, garden shears from rusting, loosen an uncooperative door lock, and unstick stuck zippers.

17. Extension Cord - Bring the power where you need it, whether to a drill or a string of lights on the patio.

18. Tool Box - Now that you have the tools every homeowner needs, you need a container to store them in so you aren’t rummaging around the storage room looking for a hex key when the towel rack falls off the wall.

    Original Blog Post: Zillow - Here

Rich Dallas

The Dallas-Fincham Team and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

412-365-4622 | Rich@DallasFinchamTeam.com

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