The following list contains some tools and products that we have used for more than a decade and many others that, while newer-to-us, are just as important for our renovation projects.
Here is a rundown of our ‘Top 25 Must Haves‘ from a semi-pro perspective! While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are things we use all the time. These are not sponsored items, but rather tools we use and we love.
CONSTRUCTION BASICS
Everyone probably has a favorite tool brand – ours just happens to be DeWalt. We use their 20v Max line of cordless tools and LOVE them.
We have used it on innumerable projects over the years.
We also use a lot of air tools – that is, tools powered by an air compressor. There are plenty to choose from across the spectrum – including lower and higher priced brands. These are our trusty favorites, without respect to brand, retail store, or cost.
This is a FAVORITE among favorites. Lightweight and compact –
it even fits in between studs – which is great for remodeling! Make sure you buy an adapter (3/4″ to 1/4″) to attach to the air hose, which are 1/4″. They should include this with the tool!!
Easy to use – never jams up!
This is the compressor that runs all our tools. Small, but powerful!
Finishing tools
Like many remodeling and renovation folks, we do a LOT of drywall finishing and painting…so much painting…nightmarish amounts of painting….does the painting ever stop???!!! Here are some favs.
10) Inside Corner Tool
11) Perfect Finish Self-Adhesive Mesh Drywall Tape
12) Strait-Flex Perfect-90 degree Drywall Tape
13) Blue Hawk Spackle/Mud tray
This is the one you’ve been looking for! We LOVE this sprayer (can’t you tell? It’s a tad dirty!)
As long as you clean it out well after each job, you’ll have no problems. We can’t believe we only used rollers for all of those years.
This is what we use to spray on wall/ceiling texture.
Electrical Supplies
Electrical is NOT our favorite and often best left to the pros. But but for basic needs, like installing lights, fans, and the like, these are some tool bag must haves.
18) LED Headlamps (we use these ALL the time)
19) Klein and Sperry Electric Testers (test voltage and if wire is hot)
20) Wire Cutter/Stripper
Other tools we love
We make all our furniture and built-ins using this kit. LOVE it.
Chris rarely uses this to blow leaves. He uses it to blow the sawdust out of the workshop and dust out of the garage. Much better and more fun than a boring broom.
Stihl is a solid and reliable brand and we use this frequently.
Okay – this may seem like an odd “must have”, but they’re too great to not include.
These are super easy to install. You need a 3 1/4″ saw bit (hooks to your drill) and you’re good to go! Truly the best designed kit light out there. The key: each wire has a plastic tab that allows you to connect lights together just by pushing wires into the tab. This way, you can daisy-chain a bunch of these together without having to twist (and cap) a bunch of wires together. Also, the LED bulbs are directional and replaceable.
After stringing 6 of these lights together, you feel like an electrician (but you’re not LOL).
