Having spoken to Taskers across cities, suburbs, and countries, we’ve rounded up the most common go-to tools for Minor Home Repairs tasks. Hopefully this list and these Taskers’ suggestions will help you feel well equipped for your tasks in this category. But keep in mind that knowing what tools you need for each task type comes with experience, and it may take trial and error to develop the best tools for your toolkit.
Basic Tools:
- Drill and hammer drill
- Drill bits (for tiles, metal, masonry, wood)
- Driver bits (Philips, flathead, Torx, square, ratchet)
- Rubber mallet
- Pliers (from needle nose to vice grips)
- Hand vice
- Screwdrivers (Philips, flathead, ratchet)
- Measuring tape, ruler, pencils
- Sawsall, hacksaw, woodsaw (particularly for door-related tasks)
- Level (torpedo, 2’ & 4’)
- Channel locks (big enough to work on 1.5” plumbing nuts)
- Voltage meter tester
- Wall plugs, wall filler/spackling
- Cutter with blades
- Paint scraper
- Scraps of wood for drilling into something
- Your own supply of various types of screws
- Air nailer (battery powered)
- Socket ratchet wrench
- Handheld vacuum
How Taskers organize their tools depends a lot on whether or not they have a vehicle, and if they work in an area where hardware stores are readily available. A prime example is that most Taskers aren’t able to travel with ladders, especially in multiple sizes–so always ask your Client if they have the ladder type you know is needed for the task!
Here’s how Minor Home Repairs Taskers keep their toolkits organized and prepare for any type of fix-it task that comes their way:
- Greg S. keeps separate tool bins in his truck, labeled “Mounting,” “Plumbing” (with different size washers) “Electrical” (with wire nuts, screws, threaded rods), etc. He also has a bin of sorted screws. In addition, his every-day toolbag goes over his shoulder, which comes in handy when he’s tasking at a large apartment building and can’t easily run back and forth to his truck like he can at suburban task locations.
- Joe A. keeps customized sets of tools in his hatchback car: one has basic tools (i.e. straight blades, screwdrivers), another one has a wrench, sockets, teflon tape (especially handy for plumbing), miscellaneous nails and drywall anchors (particularly useful for IKEA products), electric drill, ruler, and level. Joe typically carries a step stool but not a ladder unless the task calls for it (and will ask the Client how high a ceiling is to scope the ladder type he needs).
- Iulian D. carries a backpack full of tools to help him navigate London’s public transit to get between tasks, and is able to run to a hardware store to grab any parts that he’s missing–particularly on same-day tasks when he may not have had the opportunity to add a part to his pack in advance.
Are there any must-have tools that you use but you don’t see on this list? Let us know below!
For all my home projects and when helping family and friends I have 5 gallon buckets filled with tools. I have a bucket for general projects that holds a core of tools. I also have a bucket for plumbing and one for electrical. I interestingly, have tool belts that focus on specifics i.e. general construction, building furniture, trim work. I then have another tool belt that is all electrical tools obviously for electrical only. It keeps me organized and I know where to find all my tools based on my jobs. All my power tools are kept in a specific bag along with batteries.
To minimize effort in carrying all the tools I may need and avoid running back to my vehicle for parts I use a rolling tool box with all I need. Inside one box is a tool pouch with all or most I need in case I travel upstairs to a client. The rolling tool box has sections attached one with two drills batteries and sockets screws bolts etc. another contains hanging hardware different hooks, wire, level. And in most cases a variety of anchors from toggle to plastic and lead or steel.