Edwards Enterprises is a residential and commercial handyman and repair service in Southern California. We are always happy to assist our customers with what ever they need inside and outside their homes. But there are plenty of jobs you can tackle yourself with YouTube and the right tools, and it’s always great to be able to limit the frustration that comes with your latest IKEA purchase or a broken sprinkler head in the back yard.

Here’s a list of what we think are the most useful tools for someone to have in the closet at home.

A Cordless Drill

A drill can be incredibly handy for various home tasks and projects. Here are some examples:

Hanging Décor: Use it to drill holes for mounting shelves, curtain rods, picture frames, or mirrors.
Furniture Assembly: Speed up the process by driving screws while putting together furniture.
Home Repairs: Tighten or replace screws on door hinges, handles, or cabinets.
Installing Fixtures: Drill holes for mounting TV brackets, light fixtures, or smoke detectors.
Garden Projects: Create drainage holes in pots or assemble wooden planters.
DIY Projects: Build custom furniture, birdhouses, or small woodworking projects.
Removing Screws: Use it to unscrew bolts or remove old, rusted screws effortlessly.
Creating Holes: Whether for wiring or plumbing, a drill is perfect for making precise holes in walls or other materials.
Mixing Materials: With a mixing attachment, you can blend paint, cement, or adhesives.
Crafting Projects: Drill holes in various materials like wood, metal, or plastic for creative projects.

A drill is an essential tool that saves time and effort—once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you managed without one!

Which Cordless Drill is right for you? Here are some comparisons….

A Claw Hammer

A hammer is a classic and indispensable tool for many home tasks. Here are some examples of how you might use it:

Driving Nails: Secure nails for hanging pictures, assembling furniture, or building wooden structures.
Removing Nails: Use the claw end to extract old or misplaced nails.
Repairs: Fix or reinforce items like loose floorboards, furniture, or outdoor fencing.
Demolition: Break down old drywall, tiles, or small wooden structures during renovations.
Upholstery Work: A tack hammer can help with reupholstering furniture or fastening fabric.
Crafts and Projects: Assemble small DIY creations that require delicate nailing or tapping.
Prying: Gently pry apart wood or other materials using the leverage of the hammer’s claw.
Tightening: Tap lightly to adjust or tighten joints and fittings when needed.
Breaking Apart Materials: With the right type of hammer, you can break bricks, stones, or even ice.

Having a hammer handy ensures you’re prepared for anything from minor fixes to more ambitious home projects.

A hammer isn’t just a hammer. Here’s a helpful comparison of how different hammers will work for you….

A Flashlight/Work Light

Obviously you will use this tooooo…. light things in the dark. But we often don’t realize how often we may want this. Working in a closet or under a sink? How about a badly lit garage or basement area? Behind the TV or furniture? What about when your power is out? Having a source of light on demand is great.

Pro tip. Get a head mounted work light to keep your hands free and the flashlight out of your mouth. AND get a magnetic flashlight that can attach to metal surfaces and grab fallen screws. The first time you drop a screw down a garbage disposal you will be glad you did.

Home Depot has a pretty wide selection of headlamps that will work for anybody.

This Luxpro Flashlight/Work light is pretty great for the home.

A Measuring Tape

A measuring tape is an incredibly useful tool for many tasks around the home. Here are some examples:

Furniture Placement: Measure your furniture and available space to ensure it fits before purchasing or rearranging.
Home Décor: Check dimensions for hanging artwork, mirrors, or shelves evenly and precisely.
Renovation Projects: Measure areas for flooring, countertops, or wall panels during renovations.
Window Treatments: Determine the size of curtains, blinds, or shades needed for your windows.
DIY Projects: Measure wood, fabric, or other materials for crafting or building projects.
Appliance Installation: Ensure that new appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine will fit in their designated spaces.
Room Dimensions: Measure the length, width, or height of a room for planning layouts or purchasing materials like paint or carpet.
Clothing Adjustments: Use it to measure fabric or clothing for hemming or alterations.
Gardening: Measure spaces for planting beds or garden layouts.

A measuring tape is one of those tools you’ll find yourself reaching for more often than you’d expect! There are also some features and size differences that may be worth considering for you. Here’s a good list of tape measures to help you decide.

A Level & A Stud Finder

The first time something rolls off the shelves you just installed you realize A level is a super handy tool to ensure precision and balance in a variety of home tasks. Here are some examples of what you might use it for:

Hanging Artwork or Shelves: Make sure your pictures, mirrors, or shelves are perfectly level on the wall.
Installing Appliances: Ensure that appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or ovens are evenly aligned to prevent operational issues.
Furniture Assembly: Check that tables, desks, or bookcases are standing straight and balanced after assembly.
Construction Projects: Verify that walls, fences, or posts are plumb (vertically level) or level (horizontally straight).
Tile or Flooring Work: Ensure tiles, laminate, or hardwood flooring are even for a seamless finish.
Mounting TV Brackets: Confirm that the TV mount is straight before securing it to the wall.
DIY Projects: Use it to keep work surfaces or materials even while building or crafting.
Outdoor Projects: Level ground for decks, patios, or garden beds to achieve a neat and sturdy result.

A level is an indispensable tool for both small fixes and major projects where precision matters! There are options for your home tool kit that range from old school bubble levels to robots with lasers. What will work for you? Look here…..

Take the mystery out of drilling or pounding a nail into your walls. A stud finder is a practical tool for a variety of tasks around the house. Here are some examples of how you might use one:

Hanging Heavy Items: Locate studs in the wall to securely mount heavy objects like shelves, mirrors, TVs, or artwork.
Installing Cabinets: Ensure that cabinets are anchored to studs for proper support and stability.
Wall-Mounted Fixtures: Attach items like curtain rods, towel racks, or grab bars to studs for extra durability.
Renovation Work: Identify stud locations when cutting drywall or planning electrical, plumbing, or other structural modifications.
Avoiding Damage: Locate studs to avoid accidentally driving screws or nails into wiring, pipes, or unsupported areas.
Creating New Openings: Identify the stud locations when planning to add a new door or window in a wall.
Framing Projects: Assist in marking the positions of studs when framing walls for home improvement projects.

A stud finder is especially useful when precision is key to ensuring safety and functionality in your work. Lowes has a wide range of stud finders for you….

A Utility Knife

The first time you catch yourself trying to use a kitchen knife outside the kitchen you’ll realize a utility knife is a versatile tool that’s perfect for a variety of tasks around the house. Here are some common uses:

Opening Packages: Effortlessly cut through cardboard boxes, tape, and packaging materials.
Craft and DIY Projects: Precisely trim paper, fabric, or other materials for crafting or home improvement projects.
Cutting Carpet: Slice through old carpet or trim new carpet to fit perfectly.
Scoring Drywall: Use it to make clean cuts when working on drywall installation or repairs.
Trimming Materials: Cut vinyl, linoleum, or thin plastic sheets for flooring or other projects.
Removing Caulking: Scrape away old caulking around sinks, tubs, or windows for a fresh seal.
Pruning Plants: Trim small branches or unwanted growth in your garden.
Stripping Wires: Carefully remove the outer coating of wires during electrical projects.

You can shop for a utility knife here….

Pro Tip: Also get a Leatherman’s tool or something similar. They are very very useful multi-tools to have in a kitchen drawer.

A Screwdriver Set

A screwdriver set is an essential toolkit staple for a wide range of tasks at home. Here are some common uses:

Assembling Furniture: Tighten or loosen screws while putting together flat-pack or DIY furniture.
Fixing Appliances: Open and repair small home appliances, such as toasters or fans, that are secured with screws.
Tightening Loose Screws: Secure door hinges, cabinet handles, or drawer knobs that have become wobbly over time.
Installing Fixtures: Attach light switch covers, curtain brackets, or hooks to walls or surfaces.
Electronics Repairs: Use precision screwdrivers to work on gadgets like laptops, phones, or game consoles.
Changing Batteries: Open battery compartments of toys, remotes, or other devices.
DIY Projects: Build or fix wooden structures or craft items that require screws.
Car Maintenance: Tighten or adjust small screws in your car’s dashboard or engine components.
Childproofing: Install or adjust baby gates, outlet covers, and cabinet locks to keep little ones safe.

Here’s a good comparison of some different screwdriver sets…..

An Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench is a versatile tool that can be used for various household tasks. Here are some examples:

Tightening Bolts and Nuts: Secure or loosen bolts on furniture, appliances, or plumbing fixtures.
Plumbing Repairs: Adjust pipe fittings, tighten faucets, or work on showerheads and other bathroom fixtures.
Assembling Items: Use it to fasten bolts when putting together machinery, furniture, or equipment.
Bike and Car Maintenance: Adjust nuts on your bicycle’s wheels, handlebars, or vehicle battery terminals.
Garden Tools: Tighten bolts on garden tools, wheelbarrows, or outdoor furniture.
Home Repairs: Work on anything requiring a secure grip on a nut or bolt, such as gates or ladders.
Appliance Fixes: Tighten or loosen fasteners on washing machines, refrigerators, or stoves.

It’s a must-have tool for handling adjustable tasks with different sizes of nuts and bolts. There are some great options to look at here….

A Set of Pliers

A set of pliers is an incredibly handy tool for a variety of tasks around the house. Here are some examples of how you might use them:

Gripping and Holding: Securely grip small objects, such as wires, nails, or bolts, while working on projects.
Bending and Shaping: Adjust wires or metal pieces for electrical or crafting projects.
Cutting Wires: Use cutting pliers or a combination tool to trim electrical wires or cables.
Removing Nails or Staples: Pull out small nails, tacks, or staples with precision.
Loosening or Tightening: Turn nuts, bolts, or other fasteners in tight spaces where wrenches might not fit.
Fixing Jewelry: Repair chains, rings, or other delicate items with needle-nose pliers.
Working with Pipes: Grip and hold small plumbing components for repairs.
Opening Stubborn Lids: Use pliers for extra leverage when opening stuck jar lids or bottle caps.
Crafting Projects: Hold or bend materials like wire or beads for intricate craftwork.

Whether you’re doing repairs or tackling a creative project, pliers are a versatile and essential addition to your toolkit. You can shop around for what works best for your needs at Lowes….

A lot of the time, at least trying to Do It Yourself first is a great option and if you have these tools then you will usually have what you need to tackle most simple fixes and even some larger jobs at home. You’ll also probably have “the tool you need when you need it” in almost any basic situation. You don’t need to buy the highest quality tools and you don’t need a power saw in most cases, but if you invest in these items you will most likely get your monies worth for a long period of time.

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