Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

These are the 5 things every homeowner needs for repairs and maintenance of their house

Essential tools you need to include in your home toolkit, according to the experts

Amelia Wilson
By

Every homeowner will have to make home repairs at one time or another. Whether you have clogged gutters, the dryer needs tuning, you’re adding new hardware to your kitchen cabinets, or simply hanging up a shelf in your living room, you’ll need the right tools to get the job done. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the essential tools for home projects and repairs, according to experts!

Open tray ff toolbox with tools

The basic toolkit

The most important item for home maintenance that every homeowner needs is a basic toolkit. Barry Gray, an archeologist, woodworker, and founder of The Tools Square, says that the basic toolkit “should include items such as screwdrivers (both Phillips and flathead), pliers, a hammer, a tape measure, a level, and an adjustable wrench.” These are all simple, affordable tools that any homeowner can easily add to their arsenal.

Related Videos

Carol J. Alexander from Fixr.com, adds that other items like a “utility knife, putty knife, stud finder, wire cutter, extension cord, set of painting supplies, [and] cordless drill” could also be valuable additions to your basic toolkit. Alexander stated, “In addition to the list of basic tools [above], I would put a caulk gun on my list.” These tools tend to get the most use in household projects, so it’s a good idea to have them on hand.

Person fixing window inside home

Power tools

Power tools are always a must-have for homeowners who enjoy taking on any DIY project. Forrest McCall, co-owner of the home improvement blog Mama Needs a Project, said, “Drills are extremely convenient tools to have for any homeowner, regardless of the task. Not only are they great for regular maintenance, but also one-off projects, like mounting a television, hanging a picture, and more.”

Pegboard with tools hanging on it

Don’t forget small essentials

While it’s easy to opt for the basic tools and get excited about power drills to add to your home repair kit, we mustn’t forget about some of the smaller essentials.

Humberto Marquez, a real estate broker at awning.com, stated, “It’s also a good idea to have a variety of fasteners, such as nails, screws, and bolts, on hand for attaching materials together.” The last thing you want is to be ready to mount your TV only to find you have no screws or drywall mounts.

Person with a yellow tool belt

Safety gear

Marquez also emphasizes that homeowners shouldn’t “forget about safety gear, like gloves and goggles, to protect [themselves] while working on home repairs.” Safety is vital, and it’s often overlooked when compiling a comprehensive toolkit. After all, working with power tools can be dangerous, and it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions.

Man on a ladder cleaning rain gutters

A ladder

“A ladder is essential for reaching high places and performing tasks, such as changing light bulbs, cleaning gutters, and painting,” said Jeremy R Henley from TheQwikFix. “Look for a ladder with a sturdy, slip-resistant design and a weight capacity that meets your needs.” Ladders are a great tool to have in your garage or shed. While they don’t fit in the toolbox, they are still a fantastic item to have in your basic “toolkit.”

These tools can set any homeowner up for success. Keep these items in your tool chest or garage so you can be prepared for any home repairs or improvement projects.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
6 essential questions to ask a handyman before you hire them
handyman with a yellow tool belt

When your home is in disrepair, it can be a big stressor. If you're a capable DIYer, you may be able to make home repairs on your own, but some jobs are best left to someone with specific areas of expertise. That's where a handyman can be a big help. They can save you time and effort and even save you money that you would have spent on new tools for the job. Most of all, a quality handyman will do quality work and you'll be happier with the result. Here's how to find a great handyman for those pesky home repairs.

Types of jobs a local handyman could help with
Handymen tend to be jacks of all trades, and most minor home repairs are within their scope of abilities. Whether the job you need to be done is too time-consuming, requires tools you don't have on hand, or is simply too advanced for your DIY capabilities, here are some common projects that a handyman near you should be able to complete.

Read more
Make spring cleanup easy: The only home maintenance checklist you’ll ever need
spring tulips in front of a white house

The weather will soon be warmer and the days longer, but the effects of winter are still all around your home. That's why a spring home maintenance checklist is so useful. It can help keep you organized as you prepare your home for summer, and it can save you time and money on unnecessary repairs. Here are some commonly neglected items, both indoors and outdoors, that should be on every homeowner's spring checklist.

Outdoor spring home maintenance checklist
If you live in a region with cold weather, the exterior of your home takes quite a beating in the winter. The impact that snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have on the home's structure can make any homeowner nervous. The good news is, you can save yourself some big headaches if you're diligent about inspecting your home in the spring and fixing minor repairs before they become major problems.
Check for and repair damage to roofing
The weight of just a few inches of snow can do damage to your home's roof. Particularly when it comes to older roofs, one big snowfall in the beginning of winter can let in moisture or even cause a leak. Grab your ladder, safety equipment, and a buddy, and climb up to your roof to take a peek. Loose shingles, broken shingles, and popped nails will need to be replaced.
Check for and repair concrete and asphalt damages
Another woe of freezing weather is that it can damage concrete and asphalt. Examine your driveway, concrete stairs, walkways, and patios for any visible cracks. Even if the crack is minor, if water gets inside of it and freezes, it will expand the crack and require an even more expensive repair. It's a good idea to repair the crack while it's small.
Consider an exterior paint job
Spring is the perfect time to paint the exterior of your home since the temperature and humidity won't negatively impact your paint job. If the outside of your home could use a little TLC, put this project on the list for spring home maintenance.
Consider staining exterior wood surfaces
Cold weather and moisture make wood stain fade quickly. Check your decks, fences, and any other wooden outdoor surfaces to see if they are in need of a good staining.
Check window screens and caulking for damage
Just as your windows should be sealed well in the winter to keep the warm air in, they should also be tightly sealed in the summer to keep the cool air in. Examine the caulking around your window panes to be sure no cracks or gaps exist, and re-caulk if needed. Also, check window screens for tears and holes that might let in bugs when the windows are open.
Clean window exteriors and screens
Get all that grime off of your windows' exteriors after the long winter. It's not advised that you use a pressure washer for windows on upper levels since the force could easily break the glass. Instead, climb up on your ladder and clean those windows by hand. Use window cleaner and a squeegee to make them sparkle.

Read more
Crown molding can offer huge visual impact to your kitchen cabinets
Kitchen with blue frame fronted cabinets

If you're looking to scale up your kitchen cabinets or give them a more polished look, consider adding crown molding to them. It's relatively cheap and easy to do yourself, and it adds more character than traditional, squared-off cabinet tops. It can also add height to your cabinets if they are shorter. If you're not super handy and are wondering how to add crown molding to cabinets yourself, we've provided a list of everything you'll need, along with some frequently asked questions to get you started.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, installing crown molding can be done in a day, as long as you have everything measured and all the tools in place to begin.

Read more