The homeowner toolkit
Six tools cover 90% of home repair tasks. Here's what to buy, what to rent, and what to skip.
Buy these six
The one power tool you'll use every month. Enough torque for deck screws, gentle enough for cabinet hinges.
Every bit you need in one shaft. Lives in the junk drawer; comes out weekly.
Stiff standout (holds straight over 10 ft), shatter-resistant case. The one tape that survives.
Plumbing-grade jaws. If you only own one wrench, this is it.
Press-and-hold blade change, not a screw. You'll notice the difference the first time.
No calibration, no false reads. Lights up the entire stud width — worth every penny over the cheap ones.
Rent these
Rent for ~$60/day. Not worth owning unless you tile 3+ rooms a year.
Rent $70/day. Owning is fine if you have a deck and driveway. Electric is a different tool — see our guide.
Grocery-store rental ($30/day) beats a $400 purchase for most homeowners.