Spending a fortune on home renovations is not always an option if you’re on a tight budget. Knowing when to splurge or save on major purchases can be a tough decision. But with a little know-how and some essential equipment in your tool kit, almost any project can be tackled with ease.
“One of the best ways to keep a home looking good is with a decent paint job. You can do a near-professional job by spending 80 percent of the time on the prep work. All you need is a roll of painter’s tape for ensuring straight, clean edges.”
For tougher home renovation projects that involve cutting and mounting, About.com home renovations expert Lee Wallender suggests that homeowners invest in a few quality tools such as a small handheld drill or a saw that can be used for a multitude of projects.
Expand your tool kit with these home renovation essentials:
Cordless drill. A 12- or 18-volt model will handle most homeowner jobs, including drilling holes, attaching shelves, and assembling furniture.
Reciprocating saw. Handy for cutting through drywall, metal, plaster, tubing, and wood.
Laser level. Ideal for hanging pictures or cabinets, installing chair rails or crown molding, and laying hardwood and tile floors with accuracy.
Construction glue. Strong enough to bond glass, metal, and brick to almost any surface.
Painter’s tape. Not only perfect for painting, this essential tool also works for holding things in place temporarily.
Tools you need in every home
By Brittany Morgan
Spending a fortune on home renovations is not always an option if you’re on a tight budget. Knowing when to splurge or save on major purchases can be a tough decision. But with a little know-how and some essential equipment in your tool kit, almost any project can be tackled with ease.
For a really quick fix, homeowners can rejuvenate a room with a simple coat of paint, says Sid Davis, author of The First-Time Homeowner’s Survival Guide: A Crash Course in Dealing with Repairs, Renovations, Property Tax Issues, and Other Potential Disasters.
“One of the best ways to keep a home looking good is with a decent paint job. You can do a near-professional job by spending 80 percent of the time on the prep work. All you need is a roll of painter’s tape for ensuring straight, clean edges.”
For tougher home renovation projects that involve cutting and mounting, About.com home renovations expert Lee Wallender suggests that homeowners invest in a few quality tools such as a small handheld drill or a saw that can be used for a multitude of projects.
Expand your tool kit with these home renovation essentials:
Cordless drill. A 12- or 18-volt model will handle most homeowner jobs, including drilling holes, attaching shelves, and assembling furniture.
Reciprocating saw. Handy for cutting through drywall, metal, plaster, tubing, and wood.
Laser level. Ideal for hanging pictures or cabinets, installing chair rails or crown molding, and laying hardwood and tile floors with accuracy.
Construction glue. Strong enough to bond glass, metal, and brick to almost any surface.
Painter’s tape. Not only perfect for painting, this essential tool also works for holding things in place temporarily.