No home improvement project is complete without the right tools and materials. From painting walls to fixing a dripping faucet, having the correct items can make the process go much smoother and faster; not to mention that it can often help keep the finished project looking professional. So what should you have in your toolbox for those essential jobs? Below are some of the most essential home improvement tools and materials.
Protective Equipment: Safety first! Whenever you’re taking on a home improvement task, it’s important to have the right protective gear. Things like work gloves, safety glasses, dust masks, and steel-toe boots can help protect your eyes, hands, feet, and lungs from hazardous substances, dust and other dangers you might encounter.
Power Tools: Having the right power tools on hand is essential for larger and more demanding home improvement tasks. Drills, saws, nail guns and other handheld tools can greatly reduce the time it takes to finish a job and can often make difficult tasks achievable. Make sure to keep them in good condition; always unplug them when not in use and store them in a secure location.
Measuring Tools: No matter which project you’re doing, all of them start with a detailed measure. When measuring for any job, make sure that you’re using proper and accurate measuring tools. A good selection of clamps, levels, measuring tape, and plumb bobs will ensure that you have a precise start for any job.
Woodworking Tools: If you’re looking at doing a project that involves woodworking, there’s certain essential tools that you’ll need to have. These may include coping saws, chisels, wood rasps, files and carving tools. Crouching the correct blade for the job is essential in order to achieve a good result.
Painting and Finishing Supplies: Painting walls, furniture, and other objects require different supplies and tools. Have a good selection of supplies on hand such as paint brushes, paint bucket, drop clothes, paint stirrers, and rags. Depending on the task you might also need sandpaper, putty knives, and scrappers.
Hand Tools: In any home improvement toolbox, there should be a variety of hand tools like wrenches, ratchets, sets of pliers, and some standard screwdrivers. These are essential for minor repairs or adjustments to any project you take on.
Adhesives: One of the more versatile items you can find in any home improvement toolbox is the adhesive. Glue and caulk are musts for every project, and having some hot glue and spray adhesive can also turn out to be very useful.
Cordless Tools: Cordless tools are becoming more and more popular when it comes to home improvement projects. They require less work to use and provide more portability. Having something like an electric screwdriver or drill is a great way to make sure you’re ready for any jobs that require a bit of power.
Fasteners: Fastening items together is a common task in home improvement jobs. So make sure you have plenty of nails, screws, nuts and bolts in multiple sizes.
Power Strips: You use more than one tool or appliance, having a few power strips around the house is a great way to make sure that you have enough outlets for each one. Having a few of these around the house can help keep the project organized and productive.
Wood Filler: Not all projects come out perfect the first time. Wood fillers are a fantastic way to help fix up any screw up and make almost any wooden surface look brand new. You can get different stone fillers in a variety of colors to match with any wood material.
Safety Locks: If you have any potentially dangerous power tools around the house, it’s important to have a few safety locks handy. These can be placed around any tools to help make sure that children or animals don’t use them when you’re not around.
Hinges: Hinges are a great way to make sure that any cabinet doors or furniture you build stays shut and secure. Having a bin of hinges in different sizes and shapes can make any project much easier and worry free.
Decorating Supplies: Sometimes the project your working on may require some extra supplies, such as decorative items like cabinet knobs or drawer pulls. Having a selection of these around the house can make all the difference when it comes to giving your project a personal touch.
Mounting Hardware: Ideas may not always come into place as you imagine them, and any extra help like mounting hardware can be essential to make your project happen. Making sure you have a variety of hooks, brackets, fasteners and other hardware will help you put your project together and let you display it with pride.
Rolling Cart: Home improvement projects can get complicated, especially when you have multiple parts and supplies that you need to keep an eye on. Having a rolling cart can help keep all your tools organized and be easier to move throughout the house.
Using the right supplies can help you get the job done right, quicker and easier. Make sure you have all the essentials and you’ll be ready for any home improvement job.