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Essential Handyman Tools & Equipment
Are you looking for a checklist of tools to help you on your journey to becoming a handyman or woman? It can be overwhelming trying to understand which tools a handyman should have to complete the range of jobs they’re bound to come across, but don’t worry! We’re here to help.
In this article we’ve summarized all of the necessary tools necessary for a handyman’s toolkit and divided it all into various sections for ease of navigation.

More essential handyman equipment and work wear: Toolbox, toolbelt, Protective work wear/clothing, safety glasses, safety gloves, boots, hardhat
The basic Handyman Tools set
There are a ton of different types of wrenches and spanners, each with specific applications, properties and purposes. If you’re just starting out with DIY jobs around the house a single adjustable wrench might be a cost effective but suitable option. If you’re planning on becoming a professional handyman, it’s worth investing in a set that contains a comprehensive selection of wrench types.
You don’t need to be a handyman to put a screwdriver set to good use, but you can’t be a good handyman without it! A set of screwdrivers to suit a wide variety of screw heads and jobs will never go unused. If you have the funds, it’s also worth considering investing in some high quality screwdrivers considering how much you’re bound to be using them. Many screwdrivers even come with magnetic heads to minimize the amount of bolts you’ll lose.
A hammer is a must. Plain and simple. While there are different shapes and styles of hammers, we recommend getting one that’s high quality enough to do the job and comfortable enough to hold and use regularly. Ideally, you’ll want one that has a claw head also for pulling nails out.
Mostly used for wire work, having two simple types of pliers is a good place to start. Needle nose and adjustable pliers are essential tools to have at your disposal.
More often than not the level of perfection of your handiwork will come down to whether or not you’ve measured correctly. Every handyman needs a solid tape measure for handy usage when the job requires it.
A clamp might not seem essential now, but if you’re planning on getting involved in repair work or woodwork, amongst other applications, a clamp will be invaluable in keeping the object you’re working on in place.
A spirit level is a nifty little device that uses a suspended bubble to help you determine perfect horizontal or vertical positioning. While there are cheap versions and expensive types, it’s worth going for quality over short term savings.
We’ll get to electrical and power saws later on, but for now consider a good old fashioned saw a must-have if you’re planning on working with wood of any kind. Sturdy and high quality saws even allow you to cut through harder materials like metal or plastic.
A utility knife is another essential tool every handyman needs. They are endlessly useful in day-to-day maintenance and repair work. Make sure to purchase some replacement blades as well or opt for the snap-off kind of knife as the blades do tend to wear out quickly, especially if you use them a lot.
Essential Handyman power tools
Drills are ridiculously useful--and not just for drilling holes and screwing in bolts. There are tons of variations in the types of drills available. Armed with the right attachment you can even use a drill to mix paint or cement. Power drills save time and energy when you’re doing those big jobs and are a valuable tool in your handyman tool kit.
While not every power saw will be equally useful for every handyman, it’s helpful to know what essential power saws are out there. Even if you don’t buy them all upfront, building up your handyman tool set over time is what it’s all about.
Circular saw A circular saw is essential for heavy cutting. With the proper blade, there’s just about nothing it can’t slice through. It’ll save you a ton of time, not to mention sweat and likely even tears.
Jigsaw A jigsaw is useful for small and delicate cutting jobs. Think of it like a mini circular saw it has the same power but on a smaller scale.
Don’t be intimidated by it’s name, when used properly a nail gun is very safe, efficient and easy. Even if you don’t plan on hammering in dozens of nails a day, a nail gun will save you a ton of effort and time on those bigger projects.
There are many cordless power tools on the market that offer modern day convenience and run on simple batteries or rechargeable battery packs. From impact drivers to flashlights, there are a lot of options out there. Many hardware stores even sell cordless power tools in sets which can be convenient and cost-effective.
Other tools a Handyman should have
Putty knives are great for a variety of applications. If you’re going to be painting, working on, around or with drywall, or are carrying out simple repair work, a putty knife will come in handy.
Wire cutters are probably unnecessary for your run of the mill DIY enthusiast. If you’re looking to build out a comprehensive handyman toolkit of essential tools and equipment though we recommend adding this to the list.
Another gun! Caulking guns do the opposite to nail guns and are used for patching up holes caused by nails. They’re great for other repair and maintenance work too like sealing, molding cracks and a whole lot more.
Strong adhesive tape seems a little unnecessary but can be a real lifesaver. Depending on the jobs you’re using (and your own creativity) it may be worth your time and money investing in a high quality tape. One way or the other, a roll or two of adhesive tape won’t go astray.
Wood chisels are probably not for everyone but if you’re working with wood in one way or the other it’s probably worth looking into getting an affordable but comprehensive chisel set.
Particularly useful for woodworking, metal files help to smoothen angles and surfaces with ease. Interestingly a metal file is actually multi-purpose as well. For example, you can also use it to sharpen other tools and blades.
Sometimes productivity comes in small packages. You’re going to want a set of allen keys (or two sets in case a key goes missing). Allen keys are essential for a lot of screw heads and can be very useful for getting to hard-to-reach screws and for putting furniture together.
This might seem to be on the list because it’s mostly fun to use (safely of course!) but the truth is that many handymen find themselves in need of a sledge hammer when carrying out extensive renovation, maintenance or repair work.
You won’t get far (at least not vertically) without a ladder. There are tons of ladder types and designs. You’ll want to find the ladder that is most suitable for the majority of work jobs you carry out. Multi-purpose ladders are also available as well if you’re willing to shell out for their often higher prices but one multipurpose ladder will replace a few different types of ladders so they can be cost effective and save you storage.
Pencils, really? Yes. Really! A pencil, or two or three, is truly essential when marking measurements or writing things down. Cheap, easy to store and necessary, don’t skip over this underrated tool.
Handyman jobs can cause a mess. Having an easy go-to cordless vacuum that’s handheld and versatile will help you keep your workspace and your customer’s home clean and sparkling. They’ll definitely appreciate it!
More essential Handyman equipment and work wear
Just about all handymen move from site to site as they complete jobs for customers. Having a mobile handyman toolbox that’s hardy and comfortably fits everything you need in an organized and accessible way will make your entire experience that much easier.
Not everyone loves a toolbelt, but if you find the one that’s right for you we’re sure you’ll come round! Our recommendation is to find a snugly fitting tool belt that’s not too heavy but can accommodate the essential tools you need frequent access to. If the toolbelt is high quality you’ll use it all day every day.
Protective work wear is incredibly important for a handyman. Here are the essential work wear equipment you need:
Clothing Durable clothing will protect your skin and undergarments from oil stains and other liquid exposure. If you work outside a lot it’s important to stay sun safe with long sleeves and a high UV resistance rating.
Safety glasses Your eyes are very vulnerable, especially when you’re working with flying wood chips, bits of metal and other bits of metal and wood.
Safety gloves Having access to a quality pair of latex or leather gloves will give your hands the protection they need without sacrificing grip or dexterity.
Boots Accidents do happen even on domestic handyman projects. Investing in a pair of durable work boots will keep you feet and toes nice and protected. You can even consider steel capped boots if you want as well. Leather or rubber soles are especially important if you’re going to be involved in electrical work.
Hardhat Whilst not necessary for everyone on all jobs, having access to a hardhat is important to ensure your workplace health and safety.
Got your Handyman toolkit? Now you’re ready to get started with AllFeito
Once you’ve assembled your own personal handyman startup tool set and all the equipment you should have, you’ll be armed and ready to start taking on projects and jobs.
Make sure to head over to the Pro sign up page on AllFeito website So that you can connect with clients & start earning with your new tools!