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Top Ten Tools: The Basic Must-Haves for Handymen and Homeowners Alike!

 

Ten indispensable tools that our professional handymen are using, that you should have too!

Getting a basic toolkit together is easy! Justin, the expert behind Odd Job Handyman Services, lays out the top ten tools that every handyman has and explains why every home-owner should have one of their own.

Having a basic set of tools can help you save time and money, and make simple repairs around the house. You don’t need to be a handyman to have these basic tools, but they will definitely come in handy when you need them.

10. Channel-lock pliers
While not a multifunctional tool, it is the only thing that will do the trick when you need to get into the drain under the sink. Go ahead, be the hero who can rescue a dropped earring from the p-trap!

9. A Utility Knife.
Also known as a box-cutter, this will always have an undisputed place among the top ten tools. Be sure to get a knife with a retractable blade, one that is replaceable. That way, you can always use a clean, sharp edge. Utility knives are inexpensive, but they’ll cut through most materials, from moving boxes, to carpet and thin wood veneer.

8. Adjustable Crescent Wrenches. 
Every tool kit should have adjustable wrenches in two sizes: a 6” and a 14”. Because not every bolt comes loose with the twist of an Alan-Key.

7. Strong Pliers with Built-in Wire Cutters.
Pliers allow you to get a grip where your fingers might not – tight spaces, sharp or heated surfaces. Not to mention that you can bend, strip and cut materials safely and easily with a good set of pliers.

6. A Drill/Driver Combination Tool. Essential to anchoring frames on the wall, everyone should make this their first power tool purchase. Get a combination drill and driver tool that can drill holes in the wall with a drill bit, then seamlessly get to work fastening with flat- and phillips-head attachments.

5. A Tape Measure.
Pick up a tape that’s at least 25 feet long one inch wide. This will be big enough to measure most things and strong enough not to bend for up to 8 ft.

4. A Laser Level.
Sure, you can pick up a cheap plastic level at the Dollar Store, but a savvy homeowner will invest the money in a laser level. You’ll get hands-free, precision accuracy every time, and you don’t have to keep sliding and readjusting as you work along larger surfaces.

3. A Multi-head Screwdriver.
These little guys come with different tips to accommodate different screws.  Ensure that the set you choose has various sized Phillips (cross-shaped), Robertson (square-shaped) and flat heads.

2. A Sturdy Hammer.
The 16oz Rip Claw Hammer would be my tool of choice. It’s a sturdy hammer that is easy to control.

1. My Card!

That’s right – we’ve listed the top ten tools, and number one is, hands down, the Odd Job Team. Property owners, real estate brokers and thousands of homeowners will attest to this, alongside brands like Shoppers Drug Mart, Burberry, Holt Renfrew and LensCrafters.

Whether you’re hanging up pictures, fixing a leaky faucet or putting together a new piece of furniture, having these tools at your disposal will make any job easier. And if you run into a project that requires a little more expertise, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals at Odd Job Handyman Services.

Sure, it’s great to handle the small stuff on your own, but every homeowner will be faced with projects they shouldn’t tackle alone. That’s where we come in! If your task has taken you beyond these basic tools, give my team of experts a call at 416-520-1161 or use our online “book-a-handyman” form.