Moving into a new space brings with it a lot of excitement. You'll likely have a long list of things you want to decorate and furnish the place with, but there are a few tech essentials you need so you're prepared for anything. We're not talking tablets, or laptops, since you likely already have what you need there. We list basic essentials that every homeowner should have in their utility belt as they make the transition from renter to landlord.
• Cordless Drill - This should be number one on your list because you're going to use it and use it often. Things will get loose and need tightening, and IKEA furniture will need assembly. There probably won't be a more used tool around the house, so make sure you get a good quality one with a Lithium battery and a high power output (at least 18V).
• Flashlight - In case of emergency or a power outage a flashlight is going to be your saving grace. Get one that can stand on its own and with a pivotable head to give you more freedom.
• Laser level - Whether it's posters, art, or shelves, you're going to need to hang stuff in your new space. Make things easier by investing in a combination laser level and stud finder. You'll save time by doing things right the first time.
• Digital Temperature probe - Getting a new space can inspire you to cook more — especially if you find yourself with more kitchen space. Make sure you don't overcook a meal with a digital temperature probe. If you think you'll be doing a lot of roasting or grilling, then I believe a remote temperature probe is essential. Set it, forget it, and it'll alert you when your food is done.
• Batteries - With a new space you'll likely acquire a few more electronics that require batteries. Save yourself money in the long run by getting new rechargeable models that have larger storage capacities and with longer charge retention. It's better for the environment too.
• Lawnmower - A new home also likely brings along some lawn responsibility. If you can afford it, a good electric lawnmower will be a quiet and fume-free solution that you'll appreciate — swing for the newer 36V varieties. If you don't have trees in your lawn, then you can get by with an easy-to-store rotary mower. New models are lightweight, with thicker blades to make yard-work less strenuous.
(Images: 1.4.5.6. - Chris Perez 2. Amazon 3. Beam Laser Level)
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Stud finder, a good hammer with a rubber grip, A graph notebook and pen/pencil for when you need to jot down measurements and notes.
Digital Temperature probe, really? Pulled that one out of thin air.
YES on drill. I use it constantly for this or that around the house. Mine isn't cordless, and it functions just fine. (Someone gifted me a girly cordless one once that wouldn't even drive a tiny screw - I guess they make powerful ones, too?)
Tape measures (several because you keep misplacing them).
Wire snips.
Exacto knife or box cutter.
A variety picture-hanging pack with wire, like the big kit you can buy at Home Depot or Wal-Mart.
Hammer, yes.
Pliers - a few kinds. Pulling things out, holding things, tightening things.
Sharpies - you'll find you need one and wish you had one.
Duct tape (so useful!) and blue painter's tape (comes off cleanly).
Good post! One of my friends recently got divorced and didn't own a single tool-like object. I had SO MUCH FUN at Wal-Mart, buying her all the things that I wished I had when I first moved into my own place.
Patching compound (wood and drywall) for all those hardware holes from the previous owner's curtains, pictures, and wall mounted shelving.
We have a good quality cordless electric screwdriver that we use for IKEA furniture lots more than our drills...
Definitely a hammer, picture hanging kit, box knife, Sharpie and duct tape! Some finishing nails in a couple of sizes are nice to have...
As I mentioned elsewhere, I'd ask the landlord or seller for any leftover touch-up paint they might have, until I got around to painting my own color choices.
After that, I think I'd go buy what I need as I need it. By now, my partner and I have a pretty complete tool box from many projects over the years, so we generally can do whatever we need to, but we had a reason for each choice.
Is a flashlight really something that a renter doesn't need? Power goes out in apartment buildings, too.
A drill YES ABSOLUTELY! I went years without owning one, and now that I have my 10V cordless Makita, I can't imagine life without it. I use it allllllllll the time for little projects around the house.
Get a drill, stop bugging your friends when you need to borrow one :)
I don't ever want to own a lawnmower. I live in a condo, but if I had a house would much rather hire out than do something I don't want to do and do a hack job at best. I've never needed a cooking probe (lifelong vegetarian), but agree with the other mentioned items. Absolutely agree with the need for a good drill. I'd add a metal tape measure to the list.
Add: A Ladder, a hammer, duct tape and a voltage tester.
Drill - a resounding yes.
A good hammer and a set of screwdrivers, or one of those screwdrivers with changeable heads.
A ladder or step stool that's high enough that you can paint the ceiling, sweep cobwebs, change lightbulbs in ceiling fixtures and hang curtain rods.
Hammer drill.
Vice grips.
WD-40 for the stuff that should move, but doesn't.
Duct tape for the stuff that doesn't move, but should.
(actually, WD-40 is a terrible lubricant. Use 3-in-1 oil instead.)
Correction: Impact driver, not hammer drill.
(although a hammer drill is handy, just not as handy as an impact driver)
It's unfortunate that the laser level in the photograph is being used for a wallpaper border. Does anybody really put those up anymore?
Everything said so far is fine if you don't plan on doing too much (except the temp gauge... seriously?), if you enjoy a bit of DIY or have a number of jobs to tackle, I would suggest going a bit further.
My list comes from first hand experience on a large first renovation, i.e. I learned the hard way. It's a longish list so you could take your time and build up the gear as different jobs require it, 'however', I bet a substantial number of people would be better off taking the time/spending the money upfront, as the 6 trips to the hardware store to grab a few things/tool each time you start a new project will cost you way more overall. Anyway, this is my basic list:
#1: Totally agree with a drill, or if you are doing any semi serious work, an impact driver. Get a decent quality one (or better get a combo set if your budget will stretch to it). I have burned through 2 cheap sets, and the difference between cheap and quality is the difference between joy and despair when your wedged 20 feet under the house and your cheap drill fails you. I (now) have a pro quality makita 18v set now and a smaller, lighter 10.8v hitachi set both with drills and separate impact drivers - I use the 10.8v impact driver about 80% of the time and i love it , as it is small, very light and powerful enough for most jobs.
Tape measure x3: one for the car - trust me if you are buying furniture or anything that needs to 'fit' somewhere it will be a godsend, a cheap one for doing jobs outside in the garden (nothing ruins a tape measure faster than dirt and moisture), and one for your toolbag. Also a longish aluminum spirt level that can double as a straight edge.
A sturdy step ladder
A decent hammer and a decent wreaking bar if you are doing any kind of demo. If you ARE doing some demo work, a 18v recip saw as part of a kit is well worth the extra $
A sturdy box cutter, and small to medium handsaw - a inexpensive one with small teeth will do many jobs well
A sharpie and a pencil (a small note book is also well worth it)
A foam sanding block - super handy
A ratcheting manual screwdriver with assorted bits - if you use that fancy new 18v drill on the delicate stuff you will regret it.
Duct and electrical tape + some zip ties - always!
A LED light of some description that runs on AA batteries (something you can stand up or hang is best so you can keep your hands free and point it where you need it)
A pair of linemans pliers and a mid sized adjustable crescent spanner. A small to medium width flexible bladed scraper (putty knife? - I am not sure what they are called in the US?) for applying filler, scraping off flakey paint, etc etc
Some eye, ear and breathing protection (sorry channeling my mother there)
Lastly (for this list anyway) some all purpose caulking/sealant, a caulking gun, and some PVA or other general purpose glue, and a small foam roller set if you are doing any patch painting.
I have probably missed 50 things, but I don't want to put of aspiring DIYers! Oh and a cheap tool bag or large plastic tool box is a must to keep everything handy and in one place.
I am lucky enough to have built up a fairly large selection of hand and power tools over the last few years, and I always wish I had the foresight to get the good quality gear at the beginning when I would have really benefitted from it, not so much now when all the hard work is done (it is still nice to have them though!).
Cheers
Drill, yes! Cordless ... well??
Personally I prefer corded drills because batteries often cost half or more of what you paid for the drill and they will die. The new Lithium batteries are a lot better but they cost a lot up front as well.
Cordless is handy but there's something about not running out of juice on a big job that appeals to me.
Agreed 100% with Battra92. Also consider that a powerful corded drill costs MUCH less than a powerful cordless drill.
Think about it: how often are you going to drill or use a power screwdriver that is nowhere near an available outlet? Honestly, not often.
However, the likelihood that a cordless drill's battery will be dead on you when you need it most right now? Pretty much a certainty. (See: Murphy's Law.)
if you get a good drill, 18v won't really be needed. I have a new dewalt drill driver / impact driver set with the lithium batteries. It is only 12v and it is amazing. More powerful then my 18v set i had before lithium was an option. The dewalt set is nice because both of them have LED lights. Seems like a "want" instead of a "need" but honestly the little light is very helpful
Benefits: lighter, smaller, easier to carry around.
i just moved and had to de-assemble and reassemble everything, and it has done it all, on one charge.