Introduction
If you’re a contractor, then you know that remodeling homes is a huge job and requires advanced knowledge of home improvement skills. Remodels, as opposed to renovations, involve more advanced carpentry, demolition, electrical work, plastering and dry walling, plumbing work, and tiling. Whether the home remodeling project is for a kitchen, bathroom, basement, garage, or patio, here are some of the best tools to have to get any home remodel done.
Hand Tools
Hand tools are probably the most common and most essential tools used by contractors and subcontractors. Many hand tools are used for a specific purpose, while others can be used for a variety of purposes. The hand tools that contractors need when working on a home include:
- Carpenter’s pencil (a pencil with thicker lead) for marking on wood.
- Chalk Line for marking on concrete and metal.
- Hammers, such as a solid-steel framing hammer with a ripping claw for demolition.
- Nail puller for pulling nails out of wood.
- Speed Square for marking angles.
- Tape measure
- Tin snips for cutting metal
- Torpedo level for leveling smaller areas
Utility knife for cutting and sharpening your carpenter’s pencil.
A broom is another handy hand tool needed when remodeling a home. The use of tools, both hand tools and power tools, create a mess and a messy work environment can become unsafe. On the same note, a shop vacuum with be helpful too, not only to clean up messes, but to suck debris out of cavities.
Power Tools
Power tools are needed for projects both small and large, especially for projects that increase the value of a home, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels. Essential power tools for contractors are:
- Circular saw to help make straight cuts.
- Miter saw to help make cuts at angles.
- Power drills
- Table saw for the most precise and accurate cuts.
Because power tools run on electricity, it’s also necessary to have an extension cord just in case power outlets aren’t close by. It would be extremely hard to have to plug your power tools into one place to cut wood, and walk a farther distance to where you need the wood to be placed.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment is a necessity when it comes to remodeling a home. Remodels mean that the structure of the building is going to change in some way, so it’s important to have the proper safety equipment. Make sure to have these:
- Dust mask to protect your lungs from debris.
- Coveralls, in the event you have to work in a crawl space.
- Hard hat to protect your head from objects that may fall from a distance.
Hearing protection, such as ear plugs or earmuffs.
- Safety gloves to protect your hands from wood that may contain splinters.
- Safety goggles to protect your eyes.
- Steel-toed boots to protect your toes and feet from heavy objects falling.
Equipment to Carry Tools
Anyone who does any type of construction work knows the importance of having a way to carry around tools. Contractors, construction workers, and carpenters alike all carry tool belts or tool pouches to have their most essential tools on them at all times. Another thing you’ll need is some sort of transportation to not only transport you and your team to the worksite, but to also carry all of your tools and equipment. Some contractors may use their own vehicle as a means of transporting everything to the worksite, but one truck may not be enough for some projects. Fortunately, there are fleet companies that offer truck rental towing packages specifically for contractors working on construction projects.
Conclusion
Home remodeling is a big job, so it’s important for contractors to have all of the necessary and best tools available to get the job done in a timely manner. The equipment used to carry and transport tools are just as important as the tools themselves. Contractors also need reliable transportation in order to be able to carry out a home improvement project.
