Buying a new home is exciting, but once you unpack all the boxes and get settled in, the real work begins. You’ll start decorating rooms, changing cabinet hardware, hanging pictures, or worse, something breaks. It’s bound to happen, and while you don’t need a bunch of fancy pro-grade tools, you’ll need the essentials.
Whether you’re fixing doors, hanging shelves, starting a project, or dealing with a problem, a handful of tools can handle most tasks. So, here are five tools any first-time homebuyer needs.
A good cordless drill
The first thing you’ll want to buy is a cordless drill. It’ll save you time and serve you well for so many tasks that it’ll pay for itself in no time. This is especially true for a new homeowner or even someone renting. You’ll use a drill for putting together furniture, hanging curtains, mounting a TV to the wall, mixing paint, drilling holes, installing shelves, and so much more.
Obviously, you’ll also want some screwdrivers and such, but a drill will be faster and easier. There are multiple brands to choose from, but since you’re just getting started, look for something affordable yet capable, like a Ryobi 18V ONE+ 1/2-inch drill from Home Depot for $79. They have cheaper options, but the “HP” model is worth paying a little extra.
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Green
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Drill
The Ryobi ONE+ 18V HP drill/driver is a great starting point for any project. Whether you’re drilling holes or assembling furniture faster, this drill comes with a battery and charger.
Tape Measure
You probably already have a tape measure, but if not, now is the perfect time to finally spend a few dollars and get one. You don’t need anything fancy, either, as you’ll likely be measuring walls for pictures, floors for rugs, and other casual tasks.
The Amazon Basics 25ft (2-pack) self-locking tape is a solid little setup for $14. Plus, now you’ll have one for the garage and one for the house.
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Yellow
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Tape Measure
How does the saying go? “Measure twice, cut once.” Get yourself this 2-pack of affordable tape measures, and you’re all set.
Everyone needs a Claw Hammer
A hammer is one of those classic must-have tools, especially a “claw” hammer for removing nails and such. Again, you’re not a professional that needs the best of the best, so get a solid hammer from a brand you know and trust, like Craftsman.
Hammers come in handy for all sorts of tasks. I’m talking about removing door trim, hanging picture frames, and prying up old nails. A solid 16oz hammer like the one below is a great place to start.
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Red
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Hammer
Every homeowner needs a good hammer like this classic 16oz fiberglass option from CRAFTSMAN.
Get a laser level and start decorating
Once you start putting TVs on the wall and making a house feel like home by hanging pictures, you’ll want a good level to find true vertical or horizontal surfaces. And while a good 24-inch level is handy, laser levels are equally useful.
Whatever the task at hand, use something like this Ryobi 15ft compact laser level to not only find your angles, but display a laser across the wall while you’re measuring distances or hammering in nails.
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Green
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Level
With a rotating bubble to help find a level point, push pins for wall mounting, and a 15ft red laser, this level has you covered.
Pliers and wrench set
Just like the trusty hammer, pliers and wrenches are classic tools that deserve a spot in every garage. Pliers are great for gripping, turning, fastening, etc., and adjustable wrenches will save the day if you’re dealing with a leaky toilet, tightening a hose to the bib, and more.
I use pliers for working on my truck, cutting wires and zip ties, and for all sorts of tasks. You’ll also want a good set of wrenches for nuts and bolts around the house, for automotive repair, household DIY projects, or plumbing tasks, not to mention general home maintenance.
As we all know, tools can get expensive quickly. Unless you need something specific, look for something like this affordable 7-piece pliers and wrench set from WORKPRO on Amazon.
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Blue
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Pliers and Wrenches
Start your homeowner journey right with this affordable 7-piece set of pliers and wrenches for all your DIY projects and repairs.
Over time, you’ll certainly end up with a lot more tools than the few mentioned above. That said, keep in mind that Ryobi 18V battery packs power over 350+ tools, so once you get your first one, the rest are a bit more affordable. Then, honorable mentions for other general tools include a good flashlight, a utility knife, a stud finder, and a solid adjustable ladder, to name a few.
Now get busy tackling projects and enjoy your new home.
