Dear Mr. Electrician: What tools for first time new homeowners do you recommend to purchase for general maintenance and repair?
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Answer: For every homeowner task there is a specialized tool for that. First time new homeowners generally learn through baptism by fire or by attending the school of hard knocks what they need to do to make a repair or perform maintenance.
Table of Contents:
- Beginning Tools
- Outdoor Tools
- Plumbing Tools
- Electrical Tools
- Painting Tools
- Carpentry Tools
- Demolition Tools
- Safe Practices
I don’t recommend buying many tools in anticipation of using them some time in the future. You may end up with a lot of unused tools. However there is an exception, buying used tools. There are many perfectly good used tools available at garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales , eBay, and other online marketplaces. The prices are much cheaper than you would pay for new tools and you will only get one opportunity to purchase them.
TOOLS TO START WITH
* Utility knife
* Tape measure (25′)
* Flashlight
* Hammer
* Four-in-One Screwdriver
* Six foot ladder (Type 1 or 1A)
* Adjustable wrench (8″ or 10″)
OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING AND YARD MAINTENANCE HOMEOWNER TOOLS
HAND TOOLS
* Round-point shovel
* Flat spade shovel
* Garden rake
* Leaf rake
* Hand pruners
* Loppers (for thicker branches)
* Hand trowel
* Garden hose with adjustable nozzle
* Wheelbarrow or garden cart
HOMEOWNER POWER TOOLS FOR YARD WORK
* Cordless string trimmer
* Cordless leaf blower
* Lawn mower
* Hedge trimmer (if you have shrubs)
* Pressure washer (electric models are fine for most homeowners)
SUGGESTED PURCHASE: A battery-powered outdoor tool system (same battery for trimmer, blower, hedge trimmer, etc.). Several power tool manufacturers have kits for first time homeowners.
INDOOR TOOLS
NEW HOMEOWNER PLUMBING TOOLS
* 10″ and 12″ adjustable wrenches
* Channel-lock pliers
* Basin wrench
* Pipe wrench (14″)
* Toilet plunger
* Sink plunger
* Drain snake
PLUMBING SUPPLIES TO KEEP HANDY
* Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape)
* Silicone caulk
* Assorted hose washers
* Plumber’s putty
Common Household Plumbing Repairs
* Faucet repair or replacement
* Toilet tank fittings repair or replacement
* Garbage disposal reset or un-jamming
* Drain cleaning
* Repairing or replacing shutoff valves
ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS
* Insulated screwdrivers
* Lineman’s pliers – 9″ long are better
* Needle-nose pliers
* Diagonal cutters – My favorite is 10″ Knipex High Leverage
* Wire strippers
* Headlamp – I suggest a Dual Power model
* Torque screwdriver
ELECTRICAL TESTERS
* Non-contact voltage tester
* Digital multi-meter
* Receptacle tester
POWER TOOLS
* Cordless drill/driver
Some Common Electrical Tasks
* Replacing wall switches and wall plates
* Replacing electrical receptacle outlets
* Replacing light fixtures
* Ceiling fan replacement
* Resetting circuit breakers and troubleshooting circuits
Safety Note: Homeowners should never work on energized wiring. Always verify de-energization with both a voltage tester and a meter.
HOMEOWNER PAINTING HAND TOOLS
* 2″ angled sash brush
* 3″ paint brush
* Putty knife
* 5-in-1 painter’s tool
* Caulk gun
* Sanding block
* Paint roller handle
* Paint roller tray
* Extension pole
* Large Sponge
* Buckets
PAINTING SUPPLIES
* Painter’s tape
* Drop cloths
* Joint compound
* Paintable caulk
* Clean rags
PAINTING POWER TOOLS
* Orbital sander
* Small detail sander
* Paint sprayer (optional for large projects)
Common Homeowner Painting Projects
* Wall painting
* Trim painting
* Drywall repairs
* Caulking gaps and cracks
HOMEOWNER CARPENTRY HAND TOOLS
* Speed square
* Stud finder
* Level (24″ and torpedo level)
* Pry bar
* Handsaw (Crosscut)
* Wood chisel
CARPENTRY POWER TOOLS
* Impact driver
* Electric circular saw
* Electric oscillating multi-tool
* Electric shop vacuum
FOR ADVANCED HOME WOODWORKING
* Miter saw
* Table saw
* Finish nailer
* Air compressor
Common Household Tasks
* Hanging shelves
* Installing cabinets
* Door adjustments
* Baseboard and molding repairs
* Deck repairs
* Assembling furniture
HOMEOWNER TOOLS FOR DEMOLITION
* Electric reciprocating saw
* Heavy duty prybar
* Four pound or heavier hammer
NEW HOMEOWNERS SAFETY TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
For a first-time homeowner, safety tools, equipment, and supplies are often overlooked until something goes wrong. Time and money spent on safety planning and gear can prevent injuries, fire damage, water damage, and expensive emergency repairs.
FIRE SAFETY
* Smoke alarms on every level and outside bedrooms
* Carbon monoxide alarms
* ABC fire extinguisher for garage/workshop
* ABC fire extinguisher for kitchen area
* Fire blanket for kitchen grease fires
Recommended
* Small fire extinguisher in each motor vehicle
* Escape ladder for second-story bedrooms
* Battery-powered emergency lights
EYE PROTECTION
* Clear safety glasses
* Tinted safety glasses for outdoor work
* Safety goggles for chemical use
* Face shield
Most home injuries occur from flying debris while:
* Mowing
* Trimming
* Drilling
* Grinding
* Cutting wood
HOMEOWNER HEARING PROTECTION TOOLS
* Foam earplugs
* Over-the-ear hearing protectors
* Noise Cancelling ear muffs
Especially important when using:
* Lawn mowers
* Leaf blowers
* Circular saws
* Pressure washers
* Shop vacuums
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
* N95 masks
* Half-face respirator with replaceable cartridges
Useful when:
* Sanding drywall
* Attic work
* Insulation installation
* Mold cleanup
* Painting
HAND PROTECTION
* Leather work gloves
* Cut-resistant gloves
* Nitrile disposable gloves
* Rubber chemical-resistant gloves
Different jobs require different gloves.
LADDER SAFETY
Only use a ladder for hard to reach places. Do not use chairs, stools, tables, benches, toilets, milk crates, the backs of buckets, or anything else to stand on instead of a durable ladder. One bad fall can change your life forever.
* 6-foot stepladder (Taller if you have high ceilings)
* 24-foot extension ladder (if you have a two-story home)
* 22′ Little Giant ladder (For working over stairs)
Fiberglass and wood ladders do not conduct electricity. Use them when working around live electricity.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
* Bandages
* Sterile gauze
* Antiseptic wipes
* Antibiotic ointment
* Medical tape
* Tweezers
* Instant cold packs
* Elastic bandages
Workshop additions:
* Eye wash solution
* Burn gel
* Finger splints
WATER DAMAGE PREVENTION
* Water leak detectors
* Water alarm near water heater
* Water alarm near washing machine
* Water alarm near sump pump
* Main water shutoff wrench
Know the location of your:
* Main water shutoff valve
* Gas shutoff
* Electrical service disconnect
HOMEOWNER GARAGE AND WORKSHOP SAFETY TOOLS
* Shop vacuum
* Spill absorbent
* Heavy-duty extension cords
* Portable LED work lights
* GFCI-protected extension cord for outdoor use
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