Power Tools That Will Come In Handy During A Kitchen Remodel

Large-scale renovations are often best left to the professionals, and many people think twice before doing a DIY kitchen remodel. Still, DIY projects in the kitchen have become pretty popular, with 43% of people opting for this method over hiring a professional, according to a report from the Home Improvement Research Institute. If you land in the percentage of homeowners who feel confident enough to tackle kitchen upgrades, the first step to starting your reno is gathering everything you need, especially the tools. Power tools are a must-have for any handy homeowner — check out our best power tool brands ranked — but when it comes to redoing a kitchen, you'll need a few specific ones to help you get the job done, including a power drill, a sander, and a power saw. 

There are tools every homeowner should have, like hammers and screwdrivers, and if you have done a DIY project in your home before, you likely already have a small repertoire of hand tools. But when it comes to remodeling your kitchen, you're going to want to add a few power tools to the mix, or else you might be looking at a very difficult, tedious task. From drivers to sanders, here are the power tools you should have on hand before tackling your kitchen.

While some power tools are just convenient to have, others are absolute necessities for kitchen renovations. At the top of this list is a cordless power drill. Providing you have the right drill bit, a power drill can be used to bore into almost any material, from metal to stone, making it a tool you'll be reaching for throughout your kitchen remodel. Not only is a power drill the easiest way to make holes and drive screws, but it can also be used for other tasks throughout your kitchen reno, like mixing paint properly. You can even add a wire brush attachment and use your drill to get rust off metal (looking at you, appliances) or a sanding attachment to turn your power drill into a drum sander that can get into tight holes and easily navigate curves. 

Most tool brands sell cordless power drills, but if you want to net some savings, Makita has a great option. Of the many budget-friendly Makita tools, the FD06R1 Cordless Drill is a standout staple, which you can find on Amazon for just over $100. Other power drills that are ideal for a kitchen project are the Bosch PS31-2A 12V Max ⅜ inch drill, which is super lightweight, allowing you to use it for longer periods of time and get the job done faster (you can find it on Amazon for $99) and the Milwaukee 3403-22 M12 Fuel ½ inch Drill/Driver, which is great for larger drill bits and can be found at Home Depot for $169.

Beyond the cordless drill, another must-have power tool for your kitchen remodel is an orbital sander. Having an electric sander will take the elbow grease out of refinishing work and allow you to easily prep materials for painting. While a sanding drum attachment on your drill can help with smaller areas, if you are doing a full remodel, you'll want to invest in a good orbital sander that can tackle expanses of cabinetry, new timber shelves, you name it. Options for a quality sander include the Dewalt 20V Max Orbital Sander on Amazon for a list price of $179 or the Bosch 120-Volt 2.5-Amp Orbital Sander found at Lowes for $79. Both of these options will provide you with that smooth, clean finish you'll want for cabinets, open shelves, and any butcher block countertops.

A power saw is another essential tool, especially if you are working with drywall or flooring. The Dewalt Circular Saw is a popular option, with over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and a list price just shy of $140. Alternatively, the Craftsman Circular Saw is a budget-friendly option and can be found on Amazon for $59. A circular saw can also be used for cutting through tile in a pinch, but this will create a lot of dust. If you're redoing your backsplash or putting in new tile flooring, it will probably be worth your while to either buy or rent a tile saw. Dewalt makes a well-reviewed wet tile saw suited to small projects, which is available on Amazon for just under $160. 

There are a couple more orbital and reciprocal saws out there that can make a kitchen renovation a whole lot easier as well. While optional, an angle grinder is a great addition to your toolbox, especially if you have to tackle stone or other difficult materials. In your kitchen remodel, it can also be used to cut bricks, pipes, and steel, and even slice into mortar, which can be very handy if you're building a brick wall, knocking out an old one, or cutting a new doorway. For a budget-friendly option, consider the Metabo HPT 4-½-Inch Angle Grinder, which you can buy on Amazon for under $50.

In addition to an angle grinder, you may also want to consider a jigsaw for your kitchen project. Jigsaws are great for those little details you often come across in a kitchen, like small cutouts in your backsplash design or cabinetry. For ultimate flexibility, try a cordless version like the Dewalt 20V Max XR Cordless Brushless Jigsaw, found on Amazon for under $140. Finally, a basic oscillating multi-tool like this one on Amazon from Dewalt can give you ultimate flexibility, allowing you to tackle tricky jobs like undercutting a door jamb with ease. While a kitchen renovation can be daunting, having the right tools can make the job much easier and less stressful. Once you have your tools, all you need is a bit of time and a whole lot of patience.