It is not always easy to decide whether you should hire a contractor or do it yourself. However, one advantage is always clear. DIY home repairs can save you some money. You can use DIY tricks to save cash on house maintenance, landscaping, car repairs and home decorating.
One of the keys to saving money on DIY work is to have a properly stocked toolbox ready. But you do not want to go out and buy every single tool at the hardware store just because you might need it. It makes more sense to spend your budget on a few and quality tools that you will use multiple times.
Here are some of the tools that every DIY worker will need.
1. Hammer
What’s the good of a nail if you cannot hammer it down? Nailing down nails is something you will do all the time on your DIY projects which is why you should buy yourself a good hammer. Most hammers have a claw on the opposite side of the hammerhead, so you can use one end of the hammer to pry out nails while with the other you can nail them down.
Most experts say that the best type of hammer is a 15-ounce hammer with a curved claw and a smooth head. This size can be used both for heavy-duty jobs like repairing your fencing and for more delicate jobs like hanging pictures in your home. The curved claw will make pulling nails out much easier.
2. Screwdrivers
Almost everything inside your home has at least one screw attached. Screws hold together furniture and connect outlet cover, doorknobs and cabinet doors. So anytime you need to fix these types of things, you will need a good screwdriver which will be able to remove the screws and if needed, put them back in again. Experienced DIYers say that this is the tool you will use the most often.
There are two types of screws: Philips with a small cross in the middle and a flat-head with a single slot on the top. To handle each type of screws, you will need both a flat-head and a Philips screwdriver. You should probably have several of each type so you can use it on different sizes of screws.
3. Cordless Circular Saw
Circular saw is one of those tools every DIY enthusiast has to have. While corded circular saws can cut lumber, steel, masonry, and plywood when used with the appropriate blade, most cordless saws are much better equipped to handle more light or medium-duty jobs where maneuverability and portability are the two most important things. Learn more about cordless circular saws.
4. Adjustable Wrench
Things that are not attached with screws or nails are connected with bolts and nuts. To loosen or tighten bolts, you will need a wrench. An adjustable wrench is the best tool for the job because you can change its size to grasp onto bolt or nuts of any size.
5. Utility Knife
A lot of cutting jobs like trimming wallpaper or opening boxes can be a bit tricky if you try to use scissors. For these types of jobs, you will need a utility knife. A utility knife can also be used for marking notches on boards, sharpening a pencil, or for shaving wood.
