Essential Tools Mike Holmes Says Everyone Homeowner Needs

No matter your skill level or expectations for home upkeep, anyone heading a household will need a set of tools to take on the inevitable maintenance chores. Sure, there's no shame in calling a pro to handle most projects, such as installing new flooring, fixing appliances, and refitting pipes. But what about those everyday updates that make a house a home, like replacing cabinet hardware and hanging artwork? Hiring help for basic DIY-friendly home improvement projects like these is rarely necessary. Yet you'll still need a well-curated set of tools to manage them yourself. HGTV building expert Mike Holmes recommended a few essential tools every homeowner should have: a tape measure, level, screwdriver, stud finder, hammer, and drill.

The good news is that you can do a lot even with the bare essentials. "You don't want to overwhelm yourself with tools you might (or should) never use. That's how some accidents happen," Holmes explained in The Winnipeg Free Press. Various hand tools make a solid foundation for an expanding toolset. You can get specialty equipment and power tools, like jigsaws and sanders, as you gain more confidence in your DIY skills. But Holmes discussed how starting with a few basic items will help anyone accomplish a ton of routine tasks.

Everything from setting up a new rug to hanging mirrors demands tools. Even if you generally aren't the DIY type, you'll need at least a few gadgets at some point. Tape measures and levels are crucial for building projects but also for seamlessly-mounted fixtures. "Most jobs around the home require a level, such as installing a flat screen television, putting up shelves and hanging pictures," Holmes stated in The Winnipeg Free Press interview. Meanwhile, tape measures help you center decorations and size everything from doors and windows to curtains and furniture.

While levels and measuring tapes offer accuracy, the other affordable tools every homeowner should buy let you get the job done efficiently. A stud finder identifies secure anchor points for hanging items, while hammers, screwdrivers, and drills allow you to add and tighten connections. Screwdriver sets are best to have on hand. These kits have different heads that can handle a variety of screws and are often compatible with drills. Holmes shared that magnetic head screwdrivers are ideal because they keep screws from falling off while you're working. With a power drill, you can speed up projects and handle tough tasks that may be impractical to do manually. "By replacing the bits (attachments), you can use a drill to sand, make different sized holes, grind metal, remove rust and mix paint, grout, thinset and mortar," Holmes added.

Perhaps the only thing more important than doing a job well is doing it safely. DIY home improvement projects account for several ER visits, with lacerations, fractures, and contusions being the most commonly reported injuries. Accidents happen, but with the right gear, they're easy to manage or avoid altogether. "Every home needs to have a fully stocked and up-to-date emergency kit," Mike Holmes wrote in an Associa blog post, listing first-aid materials, flashlights, and sanitizing wipes among the key kit items. Further, you should always have the right safety equipment for the particular DIY job, such as cut gloves, eyewear, or steel-toe boots.

Aside from your protective gear, safety also comes down to having well-made equipment that is appropriate for the job. As you do more projects, you'll likely discover other tools to make your DIYs not only higher-quality but also easier and safer to complete. Beyond the basics Holmes highlighted, items like wrench kits and stable step ladders can be valuable additions to your essential case of tools every homeowner should have. Start with a budget-friendly kit like the STANLEY Tool Set, and build your collection as you find more projects to tackle around the home.