So what do you need and why do you need it?

• Screwdrivers – flathead (straight) and Phillips (cross/star). You’ll use these for all sorts of jobs, from tightening screws on hinges to taking kitchen chairs to pieces. The flatheads area also great levers for opening paint tins. Also consider getting square screwdrivers, tiny screwdrivers and Allan keys.
• An adjustable wrench. This also gets used for all sorts of jobs – anything that involves nuts and bolts. The bigger, the better. At the very least, make sure that yours is big enough to unscrew a blocked drainpipe.
• A ladder. Make sure it’s a good one, preferably of the A-frame stepladder type, as these are the safest and most stable. And much safer than the usual chairs that get used for high-up DIY jobs.
• A can of WD-50 or similar. This is one of those products that really does live up to its reputation when it comes to oiling squeaking anythings or freeing up rusted things that ought to move.
• A paintbrush – obviously for painting jobs, but also for delicate dusting.
• Rags in all shapes and sizes. No home can have too many rags (well, maybe some homes do have too many). Used for wiping up spills, applying oil or polish, wiping your hands and for cushioning edges and corners so they don’t get bumped in transit.
• Sandpaper and wire brushes. Use these for removing old loose paint prior to repainting. Sandpaper can also be used to take a few millimetres off a door or drawer that won’t close properly.
• A craft knife. For cutting things, of course. Hopefully not your fingers.
• Tape – masking tape, insulation tape and duct tape. A multitude of uses, including temporary until-I-get-round-to it repairs.
• A hammer and a selection of nails.
• A saw. A good general purpose saw will be all you need for most jobs, including trimming tree branches.

Power tools are handy to have around, but if you’re just beginning to do a little DIY, then you may be able to get by with borrowing rather than buying. If there’s a number of you needing several tools, then instead of everyone buying everything, how about forming a tool co-operative with each person buying one item, which will be shared by the group while officially belonging to the buyer.

If you need to buy your own power tools or larger bits of DIY equipment, the following come highly recommended:

• A chainsaw
• Power saw
• Power drill – makes short work of inserting and removing screws as well as making holes for the screws.
• Belt sander
• Angle grinder for sharpening things
• Clamps, cleats and vices.
• Paint rollers and trays
• Scrapers

When using any tools for any DIY job, make sure you keep safety in mind so you don’t end up in the local emergency department. I have a better idea – why don’t you give us a call? We are well known around London and always do a good job. Submit your requirements here and get a free no obligations quote within a few hours.

I hope you like it. I do. Since this task is off our task list we are ready to start doing what we do best – fix, install, repair, refurbish, build and help people with their property maintenance.