Top Must Have Renovation Tools | Home Renovation

"Having the right tool will make any Home Renovation go smoothly"

Sometimes home renovations require a lot of work, but having the right tools will always make things go smoothly. Here are my top must have tools when renovating a home. I promise you, it will make life easier when renovating a home.

1. Trim Puller

First up is my handy dandy trim puller. Now, normally Im not big on fancy gadgets but I can promise you this trim puller is worth every penny.

Normally, I would jus use a crowbar to remove trim but this tool makes trim pulling so much easier. Whoever came up with this design is a genius, because this tool has made life so much easier.

2. Reciprocating Saw

Since I started the Lake House Renovation, the reciprocating saw has probably been one tool I've used on almost all of my projects. I love the versatility of this tool and it will literally cut through anything; tubs, wood, you name it.

You will want to have this tool handy. Here is a tool review for one of my recommendations for a good recipe saw.

3. Paint Sprayer

Im normally one who doesn't mind pulling out a paint roller, but in a renovation, you become very acquainted with paint, so having a nice paint sprayer comes in handy. 

Most people that know me, know that Graco is my favorite brand of paint sprayer. I just had the opportunity to use the new cordless sprayer and I must say it's pretty amazing. Only thing is, its pretty expensive, so I'm leaving links for my top favorites.

Here are my top favorite Graco brands:

• Graco Cordless Pro X19 - $$$
• Graco Magnum X7 - $$
• Graco Magnun X5 - $

4. Drill

Drill is probably one of my most used tools, outside of renovations and inside of renovations. I have a lot of recommendations, but I like my Dewalt drill because it's lightweight.

If you are looking for a good beginner drill, here are some of my recommendations.

Ryobi Hammer Drill  - $69

• For Ryobi drills, I am recommending the hammer drill because it gives you a little more power for drilling and a little more versatility with it being a hammer drill. I have tried Ryobi's cheaper drill models and for me they just don't make the cut. Being that the drill is one of the most used tools, you want to make sure you get something solid. Check out my full tool review here.

RIDGID Drill/Driver - $119 (Top Recommendation)

• This Ridgid Drill is a beast of a tool. I have been using this drill for about a year and have had very good success with it. With its 1,3000 lbs. of torque RIDGID's Hammer Drill/Driver is an industry leader and features over 100 settings for dialing in with it's micro clutch. This is an excellent drill with great power and torque. It is a little heavier than my other drills, but the power and  performance outweighs the annoyance of the weight. Check out my full tool review here.

Dewalt Drill/Driver - $139

• This Dewalt Drill has also proved to be a pretty good fit for me. It is a little pricey but DEWALT has always been a reputable brand and its something that will last you. This 20-Volt cordless tool is ideal for most drilling/fastening applications and it's high-speed transmission features two speed settings.

5. Brad Nailer/ Finish Nailer

The brad nailer is another tool that most may not consider an "essential" tool but for me, this tool has been very helpful and pleasing in my woodworking journey.

Brad nailers are mostly used detailed applications such as trim work, cabinetry and moldings. They are designed to fire brad nails ideal for binding wood trim.

Ryobi 18 Gauge Brad Nailer - $129 (Top Recommendation)

• This Ryobi Brad Nailer nails up to 1700 nails per charge and is compatible with the 18V Ryobi. battery system. It features AirStrike Technology, which eliminates the need for noisy compressors, bulky hoses, or expensive gas cartridges

Dewalt 18 Gauge Brad Nailer - $267

• I have also had good experiences with this DEWALT brad nailer, in my opinion, the Ryobi Brad Nailer is just as good, but if you are looking to keep the same brand, this brad nailer is also a good recommendation. The only difference from the Ryobi brad nailer is that it doesn't fire right away when you pull the trigger.

Ryobi Pancake Compressor w/ Brad Nailer and Finish Nailer - $330

• If you are more a pneumatic person. This Ryobi Pancake compressor set is a great option for a beginner, specifically because it comes with a compressor, which can be used for a ton of other things. It comes along with a brad nailer and a finish nailer all in one, so you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. I bought this set a while ago, and even though I have cordless nailers, I still get use out of the air compressor.

6. Miter Saw

Compound Miter Saws would probably be most next used tool in my shop. They are very similar to circular saws in that they make the same rip and cross cut as a circular saw, but the miter saw is fixed in an arm or a track, making it more accurate.

Ryobi 12" Sliding Miter Saw - $219

• The Ryobi 12" Sliding Miter Saw was the first saw that I ever bought and it was the first saw I ever operated. For a girl who had never built anything, I had a pretty smooth experience. If you are a beginner woodworker who plans on doing woodworking as just a hobby I would recommend this saw. I specifically love that it comes with a laser. The laser allows you to see exactly where the blade would be cutting, which was very helpful for me as a beginner. Although, I had great experiences with this miter saw, over time, I noticed that it wouldn't out-stand the wear and tear I would be putting on it. If you are looking to get heavily into woodworking, I wouldn't recommend this miter saw but if you are a beginner hobbyist who wants to just dabble, this is a great option.

RIDGID 12" Sliding Miter Saw - $499 (Top Recommendation)

• This Ridgid Miter Saw is what I currently use and man is she a beast. I personally love that it has a 70 degree bevel capacity. It doesn't have a laser but it does have a shadow light that allows you to see where the blade will hit which is just as good in my opinion. I also have the Ridgid Miter Standwhich in my opinion is the best I've ever seen. It allows you to break down the saw and move it around with ease. It is also compatible with other models if you opt for another saw. The Ridgid miter saw Runs neck and neck with the Dewalt Miter Saw, but you can’t beat Ridgid’s Warranty. Check it out more in detail in this video below.

Dewalt 12" Compound Miter Saw - $399

• This DEWALT is a little cheaper than the RIDGID but still a solid choice. I've used it a few times and have had a great experience with, it does not have a laser or shadow light, which was very helpful to me as a beginner woodworker, but I don't have too many bad things to say about it. I bought this saw for my dad who does construction often and he loves it.

Cordless Milwaukee 10" Sliding Miter Saw - $599 

• Although I think corded Miter Saws are a much better option. I had the opportunity try out this cordless Miter Saw and was super impressed. If you are someone who travels a lot with your tools and need a cordless option, I would highly recommend this saw. It is a bit pricey but worth it in my opinion. Check out the video review here if you're interested.

7. Hammer Drill

When pulling up floors, I promise you, the hammer drill will be your best friend. This thing is a beast and can handle just about any floor. Do yourself a favor and splurge on this tool if you plan on taking up any floors anytime soon.

Other great renovation tools to have include:

• Oscillating Tool
• Crowbar
• Measuring Tape 
• Sander

Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.