Starting your journey into the world of DIY is always exciting. Not only is it the chance to learn dozens of useful skills that’ll come in handy over and over again, but it’s also the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on home repairs. It’ll be a lot of work to acquire the plethora of skills you’ll need to do a job right, but it’ll be more than worth it.
Of course, any would-be DIYer requires the right tools, so in this article, you’ll learn about a few essentials you’ll need to get going. Here are five things you can’t do without!
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1. Screwdriver Set
One of the most important things on your list should be a good quality screwdriver set. Screwing in screws will make up a large percentage of your DIY work, so you want to make sure you have something that fits all types of fixings you could encounter.
One of the best options is a set with detachable bits: this way, you save space by only having one handle, and you can also get battery-powered models to make any given job quicker and easier.
2. Essential Hardware
One of the most frustrating things that can happen during a DIY job is not having the right hardware, so do yourself a favour and stock up on plenty of screws, nails, washers, bolts, and so on.
Buy a variety of sizes of each type to make sure you’re never caught out, and get yourself a decent box to store them all neatly (they’ll very easily get lost otherwise).
3. Hammer
You won’t get very far without a good hammer, and thankfully, high-quality models aren’t particularly expensive. The best type to go for is a claw hammer: these are the ones with a crowbar-style attachment at the back that enables you to make quick work of tough nails.
Head to your local hardware store to try a few different models, and prioritise the one that has the best grip.
4. Tape Measure
You’ll need a tape measure for nearly every DIY job you take on, so don’t skimp out here. Get one with a decent length (three meters is a good place to start), and ensure it has increments that are easy to read.
You may want to invest in a model that’s glow-in-the-dark, as it’s more common than you think to find yourself in a situation where your vision is obscured.
5. Utility Knife
And finally, there’s the utility knife. Sometimes referred to as a Stanley knife due to the ubiquitous nature of the brand, these retractable blades will prove invaluable for scoring plasterboard, stripping grouting, and many other important tasks. They’re inexpensive, and they usually come with a couple of replacement blades, too.
Wrapping Up
You’ll need many other tools as you embark on your DIY journey, but the above five cover a lot of ground. If you haven’t got one already, you should also consider a high-quality toolbox – not being able to find a tool you own is just as annoying as not having it in the first place!
