When completing a home repair project, sometimes it is more cost effective to do it yourself. All it may take is a simple tool and a youtube video. Here are some basic tools you may need for beginner home repair projects, and a little about what each one is great for.
Basic Tool Kit for DIY Beginners – Essential Items
Spirit Level: Useful for hanging shelves, picture frames or mirrors not to mention a myriad of other tasks too. A spirit level will be far more accurate the spirit level app on your phone – sorry!
Ratchet screw driver with interchangeable pieces: A screwdriver will always be one of the most used tools in your toolbox, so go for a ratchet model (easier to turn and tighten) with interchangeable pieces so you can change the head from cross head to flat head and many other options too. This will save you money and space rather than buying multiple different screwdrivers.
Hammer and claw hammer: A claw hammer is useful for many tasks most noticeably pulling out rawl plugs – I find ours (it belonged to my Grandfather) quite heavy so prefer using the smaller hammer for more general hammer usage.
Pliers: Good quality pliers will come in handy on many projects and are a must have in your tool kit.
Tape measure: ‘Measure twice, cut once’ isn’t the most shared DIY tip for nothing! Ensure you have a good tape measure so you can build accurate projects.
Caulking/sealant gun: Another cheap item that doesn’t have a workaround. If you’re buying caulk, sealant, most adhesives – you will not be able to use the tube they come in without a caulking gun. Therefore this is another essential purchase for your toolkit – and thankfully it’s super cheap too. Just make sure you get the bigger size so it fits all caulking/sealant tubes.
Laser spirit level: Useful if you’re wallpapering, putting up a gallery wall, shelves or panelling. Easy to use, a simple laser level is a super useful tool to have in your back pocket.
Stanley knife (not pictured): Doesn’t have to be a Stanley but a retractable knife with changeable blades is a definite must have in your tool box – super useful for all sorts of tasks.
Basic Tool Kit for DIY Beginners – Secondary Items
Clamp: Useful for keeping wood in place whilst you’re cutting it. I would recommend owning three if you’re planning on cutting panels of wood, one would be enough if you’re cutting smaller pieces.
Filling knife: These are cheap as chips and come in sets of three or four with different sizes. Useful for applying filler on walls and other similar tasks.
Wrecking bar: Slightly different to the one pictured, but a wrecking bar will make light work of any demolition work you have.
Voltage tester: A voltage tester can check for live wires which is useful if you’re drilling holes in walls near sockets or switches, or a little more advanced, changing the switch plates for your switches and sockets.
Ear defenders: If you’re feeling brave and using power tools, you will need to get a pair of ear defenders to protect your ears. Sanding and mitre saws in particular are common tools that can create quite a racket!
Safety goggles: Another item necessary if you’re planning any demolition or power tool usage – protect your eyes – you need them for further projects!
Decorators tape: I use Frog Tapes and haven’t found a cheaper alternative I prefer yet. These are useful for decorating, color blocking, painting stripes and protecting your glass when painting windows.
There are many simple home repairs that homeowners should be able to do themselves However, for more advanced home repairs, it is best to call a professional.