The Tools That Every Homeowner Should Own

The article lists fifteen essential items and six “nice-to-haves”. The essentials are:

Toolbox (~$30): You don’t even need to spend money on a toolbox. We use a cheap Rubbermaid tub that Kris picked up for a couple bucks.

Hammer (~15): The article recommends a rubber grip, but I prefer a wooden handle.

Pry bar (~$15): I didn’t have one of these at the old house — I have two now (of different sizes).

Vise-grips (~$10)

Needle-nose pliers (~$8)

Screwdriver set (~$20)

Wire cutter/stripper (~$10): I think this is optional, depending on your house. We didn’t own a wire cutter at our first house (a 20-year-old ranch) but it’s essential at our current house (a 100-year-old farm house).

Tape measure (~$4)

Electrical tester (~$2): I don’t think this is essential — I’ve never owned one — but it’s cheap.

Reversible drill with bit set (~$40): I strongly agree with the article’s evaluation — “although stores are filled with cordless varieties, stick with a corded model: they’re lighter, cheaper, and never run out of juice”.

1/2-inch steel chisel (~$10): Again, I’ve never needed one of these, so I don’t think it’s “essential”.

Utility knife (~$4)

Handsaw (~$15)

9-inch torpedo level (~$9)

Safety glasses (~$6)

The nice-to-haves are:

7-1/4 inch circular saw (~$80): I don’t have one of these, but that’s only because I inherited my father’s table saw.

Electronic stud finder (~$10)

Carpenter’s square (~$6)

Random orbital sander (~$55): I have never had a need for one of these.

Staple gun (~$17)

Clamps (~$2-$40)

In summary, the above is a list of tools that every homeowner should have. 

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