A Home Renovators Essential Tool Kit
When it comes to renovating, there’s plenty that can go wrong – we’ve all heard the horror stories. It becomes even more stressful when you’re hoping to create a unique and trendy home design but don’t have much experience in bringing your dream home into a reality.
Whether you're renovating your own home or an investment property, it’s important to make sure you’re equipped with the right tools to help you get the job done in the safest and most efficient way possible, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Below you’ll find some of the most valuable things you can have in your toolbox for tackling a new home renovation project.
Duct Tape
If you’ve done any type of construction or renovation work before, you’ll know that one of the things you’ll constantly be reaching for is the humble duct tape.
Duct tape can be used in almost any step of the renovation process. Patching, sealing, sticking, repairing – duct tape has your back for all of it. The right duct tape will adhere to rough surfaces, meaning you can use it on wood, stone and brick, so make sure you check the duct tape you’re buying is good quality.
A Good Crowbar
Any seasoned home renovator will tell you there’s nothing quite as satisfying as using a crowbar during the demolition stages.
Other than smashing down walls and carpentry you want to get rid of, crowbars can be used for more nuanced jobs such as removing nails, lifting slabs, prying apart boards, and breaking and removing concrete.
Crowbars are a multi-use tool that can take the place of several other tools during renovations, so grab yourself a quality crowbar to save time and effort.
Voltage Tester
When it comes to renovating, especially older homes, you need to be aware of where electrical wiring is – and whether the wire is live.
To be sure of whether the wire is safe to workaround, you can get a voltage tester – it will detect whether there’s a current in the wire and alert you with a beep. This cheap, easily available tool could be a lifesaver when it comes to home renovations – literally.
Steel Cap Boots
When it comes to keeping yourself safe while renovating, you can’t go past a good sturdy pair of steel cap boots. Any tradie worth their salt will have a pair or two of steel cap boots in their work wardrobe. All construction sites require them to be worn for safety, and it should be no different when it comes to renovating your own home.
Steel cap boots prevent your feet from accidents, no matter how small. Look for a pair made of good sturdy leather, and which cover and support your ankle.
A good pair of steel cap boots will have a firm and supportive arch to help stop your feet from fatiguing while standing all day, and you’ll need to measure your feet to ensure you get the correct fit for maximum safety.
Temporary Fencing
While it won’t fit in your toolbox, one of the most valuable assets while renovating your home will be temporary fencing.
If you’re planning to renovate several areas around your home, your best bet is to purchase temporary fencing because you’ll be able to use it repeatedly. You’ll also avoid the sneaky hidden fees that can come with hiring.
Temporary fencing is great for corralling your pets in a safe area while renovating and keeping children out of potentially dangerous construction areas. If you’re renovating the outside of your house, temporary fencing can also help keep the public safe, and stop unsavoury persons from wandering onto your exposed property during renovations.
Storage Space
It's very difficult to work in a cluttered environment and, as the old saying goes, ‘a clear space equals a clear mind.’ So, before you even start on your home renovation project, it's important to declutter. Get rid of items you no longer use, or which don't represent any sentimental value. Remove furniture from the room you're working in and store remaining possessions away in cupboards. If you're short on space, consider hiring a mobile storage unit.
Working in a clear, tidy space can do wonders for your productivity and stress levels!
Whether you're renovating your own home or an investment property, it’s important to make sure you’re equipped with the right tools to help you get the job done in the safest and most efficient way possible, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Below you’ll find some of the most valuable things you can have in your toolbox for tackling a new home renovation project.
Duct Tape
If you’ve done any type of construction or renovation work before, you’ll know that one of the things you’ll constantly be reaching for is the humble duct tape.
Duct tape can be used in almost any step of the renovation process. Patching, sealing, sticking, repairing – duct tape has your back for all of it. The right duct tape will adhere to rough surfaces, meaning you can use it on wood, stone and brick, so make sure you check the duct tape you’re buying is good quality.
A Good Crowbar
Any seasoned home renovator will tell you there’s nothing quite as satisfying as using a crowbar during the demolition stages.
Other than smashing down walls and carpentry you want to get rid of, crowbars can be used for more nuanced jobs such as removing nails, lifting slabs, prying apart boards, and breaking and removing concrete.
Crowbars are a multi-use tool that can take the place of several other tools during renovations, so grab yourself a quality crowbar to save time and effort.
Voltage Tester
When it comes to renovating, especially older homes, you need to be aware of where electrical wiring is – and whether the wire is live.
To be sure of whether the wire is safe to workaround, you can get a voltage tester – it will detect whether there’s a current in the wire and alert you with a beep. This cheap, easily available tool could be a lifesaver when it comes to home renovations – literally.
Steel Cap Boots
When it comes to keeping yourself safe while renovating, you can’t go past a good sturdy pair of steel cap boots. Any tradie worth their salt will have a pair or two of steel cap boots in their work wardrobe. All construction sites require them to be worn for safety, and it should be no different when it comes to renovating your own home.
Steel cap boots prevent your feet from accidents, no matter how small. Look for a pair made of good sturdy leather, and which cover and support your ankle.
A good pair of steel cap boots will have a firm and supportive arch to help stop your feet from fatiguing while standing all day, and you’ll need to measure your feet to ensure you get the correct fit for maximum safety.
Temporary Fencing
While it won’t fit in your toolbox, one of the most valuable assets while renovating your home will be temporary fencing.
If you’re planning to renovate several areas around your home, your best bet is to purchase temporary fencing because you’ll be able to use it repeatedly. You’ll also avoid the sneaky hidden fees that can come with hiring.
Temporary fencing is great for corralling your pets in a safe area while renovating and keeping children out of potentially dangerous construction areas. If you’re renovating the outside of your house, temporary fencing can also help keep the public safe, and stop unsavoury persons from wandering onto your exposed property during renovations.
Storage Space
It's very difficult to work in a cluttered environment and, as the old saying goes, ‘a clear space equals a clear mind.’ So, before you even start on your home renovation project, it's important to declutter. Get rid of items you no longer use, or which don't represent any sentimental value. Remove furniture from the room you're working in and store remaining possessions away in cupboards. If you're short on space, consider hiring a mobile storage unit.
Working in a clear, tidy space can do wonders for your productivity and stress levels!
