8 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

The real estate market continues to be running hot, with many people opting to buy versus rent. In 2021 alone, home prices shot up 19% in value thanks to heightened demand.  

Many owners are looking for ways to increase the value of their homes even more. One way to achieve this goal is by remodeling and upgrading. Remodeling can potentially increase your home’s value, lower energy costs, and make the home more enjoyable. Your first step to this goal is to be sure you’ve got the right tools on hand. 

In this article, we’ll share the eight best tools for new homeowners and how much they should cost you. 

Essential Tools for Every Homeowner

While you don’t need every tool in your collection, having these basics on hand can help make your maintenance and renovation jobs easier. 

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Claw Hammer ($10 and up)

Your first step for tool ownership: buy a hammer. FYI — a claw hammer is the ‘formal’ name for an everyday hammer. It has a head, face, and claw molded into one. There is also a tapered hole on the head where the handle will go through. 

A claw hammer’s primary purpose is to extract nails from surfaces such as wood or to pound nails into wood. Pro tip: some people mark the handles of their hammers with measurements from a ruler to have quick access to approximate measurements. 

Screwdrivers ($5 and Up Per Set)

Just like hammers, you need some screwdrivers in your toolkit. You don’t want to be knee-deep in a new wooden deck build without the right screwdriver to connect all the pieces! 

A screwdriver is one of the necessary tools for new homeowners because you can: 

• Use it to loosen or tighten screws and nuts 

• Use a flat-head screwdriver as a chisel 
• Use a slotted head screwdriver for small cabinet-making projects 

At the bare basic, you’ll need a Phillips-head (crosshead or star head) screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver. Though, you’re better off with a set of various screwdrivers to cover your bases. The cost of screwdrivers varies widely, but you can get a set for as little as $5. 

Power Drill ($40 to $100+)

While you could use a manual drill for your screws, that’s a lot of work! Instead, you should also invest in a power drill (corded or cordless). 

A drill is an end-cutting tool that can enlarge or originate circular holes. It consists of a drill shaft that houses the motor and a trigger that activates the drill. In addition, there is a drill chuck that facilitates the attaching and tightening of the drill bit. Most drills come with multiple drill bits. Your primary use for a drill is connecting various pieces of wood or other material with your screws.  

Pliers ($6 and up)

Pliers have handles on one side and clamps on the other. They also have a pivot where the handles join. Pliers are made of iron and steel, but the handle may be made of a rubber material to enhance the grip. 

Pliers are used for bending and cutting wires or gripping and holding small objects. You can also use them to remove fasteners, nails, and pins. Some people even use these tools to remove the outer casing of wires. Pliers also serve as a “whoops” tool for removing stubborn pieces of things, helping to loosen tight bolts and the like. 

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Wrench Sets ($15 and up)

A wrench is essentially three parts: a boxed end, a handle, and an open end. The open end (usually hexagonal) fits over a bolt or nut. A wrench has greater leverage if it has a long handle. 

Wrenches come in several types, such as socket, adjustable, combination, open-end, and box-end. You use them for loosening, tightening, turning, fastening, and gripping things like bolts, nuts, pipe fittings, and pipes. It is important to choose a wrench jaw size made for the fastener you’re loosening or tightening. 

Tape Measure ($5 to $25+)

The reality of any home renovation project is that you’re going to have to measure! That’s why a tape measure is one of your must-have tools for new homeowners. 

A tape measure includes a long, retractable ruler that you can roll or bend for easy portability and precise measurements. The other parts of a tape measure are a belt clip, hook, blade thumb, lock, and spring. 

All tape measures have linear-measure markings, with most showing both metric and imperial units. You can use a tape measure to know the length of a broken pipe or whether a new piece of furniture can fit through your door. 

Remember the age-old adage: “measure twice, cut once.” Tape measures can mark the difference between a botched bathroom counter height or a perfectly level upgrade. 

Duct Tape ($3 to $10 Per Roll)

Duct tape is one of the must-have tools for new homeowners. It is a durable material with a sturdy backing. Duct tape is suitable for outdoor and indoor use because of its water-resistance capabilities and strength. 

You can use duct tape to: 

• Patch a hose 
• Remove splinters 
• Fix a tear 
• Cover seams or holes 

Now if you’re using duct tape for something like a water pipe under a sink, please note that you may only want to use it temporarily! But it’s always good to have duct tape on hand for whatever use you may need. 

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Handsaw ($15 to $50+)

Cutting things is a fact of life in home upgrades and renovations. You’ll frequently find yourself measuring and cutting wood or other materials based on what you need. This is why handsaws are among the most important tools for new homeowners. Handsaws have short blades with cross-cut teeth for removing and cutting materials. You can use them to cut wood, fiberglass, drywall, or wood. 

Handsaws come in various forms, such as: 

• Rip saw: Makes cuts parallel to the direction of the wood grain. 
• Cross-cut saw: Makes cuts that are perpendicular to the wood grain. 
• Keyhole saw: Used for cutting holes in softer woods. 

A Tool for Every Job

Home renovations can be a win-win for you. They can give you great practical experience learning how to build while also potentially increasing your home’s value. 

While some renovations and repairs can only be solved by an expert, there are many projects that you can do on your own. Putting together a starter tool kit is a great first step in the process. Once you have the basics down, you can begin adding more tools based on your specific needs. 

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