It is a good idea for every homeowner to have a few essential tools around the house for routine maintenance, mandatory repairs, or should an unfortunate emergency fix need to be handled.

Here are 18 Tools that Every Homeowner Should Have Around

Phillips Head Screwdriver

A Phillips head screwdriver looks like an x or a + sign at the tip and is one of the most common tools in a toolbox. Even better is a screwdriver with interchangeable heads. This will allow you to work with screws of different sizes as well as flathead screws.

Flat Head Screwdriver

The flat head screwdriver is the most universal and useful of screwdrivers. It is good to have a few sizes such as small, medium, and large. As noted above a screwdriver with interchangeable heads allows you to only need one screwdriver in your box.

Tape Measure

A tape measure is useful for so many things, including helping to hang pictures and determining if a piece of furniture will fit in a room.

Level

So important for hanging anything on walls and making sure all of your handy work is straight.

Utility Knife

From helping to cut open Amazon packages to pulling out old caulking in the bathroom there are countless helpful uses for a utility knife.

Hammer

This one is probably the first tool people think about when they think toolbox. Not only is a hammer essential in the use of nails, it is good as a crowbar, for pulling out nails, and tapping things into place. A good quality hammer is long and lightweight.

Putty Knife

These of course are helpful for spreading putty they are also very helpful in the scraping of items like glue and paint from where they don’t need to be.

Nail Set

This is not a set of actual nails, it is a set of tools used for pushing nails further and below the surface of wood. This allows you to fill in the dent the nail has made with wood putty and sand it so the unsightly nails disappear. They are also handy if nails pop out in the sheetrock on walls.

Pliers

Pliers help to hold objects or pull them out. They are also handy for pinching or bending metal.

Adjustable Crescent Wrench

An adjustable wrench fits most hexagonal nuts and is much more useful for turning them without stripping the edges. They make tightening and loosening much easier.

Hex Key or Allen Wrench

Some items like furniture and bikes use screws that require an Allen wrench. You can get a set of several sizes or a swiss army knife style with several different sizes in one tool.

Flashlight

Not all repairs wait for daylight to call out for your attention. Some repairs may also need to be made in dark cramped spaces like a utility room. A flashlight helps you to make repairs in dark places, or even better, a hands-free lantern.

Ladder or Step Stool

Painting projects, reaching light fixtures, trimming tall hedges, and getting into the attic can all be made easier with the use of a ladder or step stool.

Broom and Dustpan

Chances are you already have one of these in your home. It is best to have a separate set for handy project cleanup. It will save your household broom and your nice floors.

It is always good to have a few tools on hand to make small repairs and perform small routine maintenance tasks in your home. Of course for larger projects and anything you have never done before it is always wise to hire some professional help.

As a Central Indiana real estate agent, I love helping homeowners, buyers and sellers get exactly what they want. Whether you are setting up a new home, looking for your next dream home, or need to sell fast, contact me at any time. I specialize in these areas and would love to help in your real estate journey. 

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