12 Must-Have Tools for Homeowners in Sarnia-Lambton
Becoming a homeowner is such an exciting part of life. Your new home becomes a canvas that portrays an image of who you are. From the paint colours you choose to the floorings you desire and all the furniture in between, it is a reflection of yourself, your personality and your taste. In many cases, this step introduces you into the great world of DIY! A time for your inner creativity to shine, whether it’s bold and bright, or naturally simple, there is always room to make it your own.
Here is a starter kit of 12 must-have tools to set you on your way to ensuring your home is filled with all of your own personal touches!
1. Measuring Tape
From the day you first visit your home to the day you move out, your measuring tape will be your best friend!! You’ll be amazed at how many measurements you’ll need to take. Will that bookshelf fit beside the fireplace? Can you fit that couch through the door? A measuring tape will help you with everything from furniture placement to hanging paintings to fitting new flooring and more.
2. Screwdriver Set
You would be surprised by the amount of different headed screws you can find around your new home. Make sure you’re prepared, as easy as you think putting matching screws in every wall outlet would be- it rarely ever happens! The best option is to buy one with changeable heads and stock up on a wide variety of bits. This way, you’ll always have the screwdriver you need. The uses are endless, from putting furniture together to bleeding radiators. Smaller heads are essential for electrics, although it’s a good idea to look for a set of tiny watchmaker’s screwdrivers for your smaller needs.
3. Hex Keys
Like screwdrivers, hex keys are really useful around the home for all your makeshift needs. They’re especially good for flat-pack furniture and bikes. A good tip is to buy a set with a case or make sure you have good organization because they can be small and easy to lose!
4. Pliers
Pliers come in several shapes and sizes and are useful to have a variety of them in your home. Regular pliers are short and stubby and good for getting a firm grip on smaller objects, and they also typically have a cutting edge, which is great for making a clean cut on wires. Needle-nose pliers are thinner and longer and are ideal when you need to grip something that is smaller and hard to get to. Multi-grips are larger with an adjustable mouth and are good for a wide range of tasks.
5. Cordless Drill
A cordless drill will be your saving grace if you plan to carry out a lot of DIY work. Get a decent model that has the power to tackle drilling into masonry if you think you’ll need it. Not only do they drill holes, but drills can also be used as electric screwdrivers which will save your wrists a lot of unnecessary work and pain! They cover a wide variety of tasks – such as fitting shelves and assembling large pieces of furniture. Plus, with the right bit, they can be used for drilling larger holes.
6. Level
The perfect tool for the perfectionist! A level will ensure that you’re keeping everything straight! Even items that are ever so slightly tilty can be a huge eyesore in a home! Levels are easy to use and available in a wide range of lengths, most DIYers will only need a 6” or 12” level to keep them on track.
7. Utility Knife
Important for not only boy scouts- a utility knife can be used for all kinds of household tasks. They save a lot of frustration when opening stubborn packages and parcels, and will slice through most plastic, cardboard, and rubber with ease. Replacement blades are cheap and easy to swap out, so it’s okay if the blades get used a lot. They will save you lots of time and effort around the house!
8. Ladder
If you are moving into an apartment, you probably won’t need a full-size ladder, but a step ladder/stool is useful for swapping out light bulbs or cleaning the cobwebs from the ceiling. However, a typical six-foot ladder can help with a variety of tasks inside and outside the home, from putting up Christmas Lights to cleaning out the gutters!
9. Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench is the perfect tool to attack a diverse amount of jobs. It can be adjusted to fit your personal needs, as you can use it on a variety of different sized nuts and bolts – making it useful for working on furniture, vehicles and much more.
10. Scraper Set
Scrapers are must-haves when working with walls! They can help apply filler or plaster for repairs and are handing when removing wallpaper! They’re also fantastic at scraping dirt and grime, such as dried glue or caulk from other surfaces.
11. Saws
It’s never a bad idea to have a few different saws in your toolbox! A regular hand saw is useful for cutting things like moldings, while a hack saw is great for plastic or metal. The advanced DIYers might consider electric saws like a circular saw or a miter saw. Make your life easier by investing in a couple of decent sawhorses, as well.
12. Stud Finder
A stud finder is a total game-changer! It’s great for helping add simple personal and finishing touches to your home! It’s a must have when you want to hang decorations or fit shelves to your walls. Cheap and effective, they’ll let you know when you come across a stud in the wall, ensuring a safe and secure fixing each time.
You may not be a carpenter or a DIY professional but that doesn’t mean you can’t work on your home to make it just the way you like! These are the perfect tools to help make your homeownership a little easier.
