The first DIY decision every new home owner should make

With a title like that, you probably think I’m going to talk about paint colors, changing the toilet seat, or should you add splashes of wallpaper or not.

Probably the most important decision you will make once you buy a house is…drumroll: Which brand of cordless power tools will you commit to?

Why is this so important? Because the families of cordless drills, screwdrivers (your #1 future favorite tool), hand-held vacuums, leaf blowers, saws, and others all have interchangeable, rechargeable batteries.

If knowledge is power, knowing these tools exist is seriously power. You will save a LOT of money by having the same tools that handy men / handy women and contractors have access to.

Ultimately having these tools could be your own path to making extra money as a handy person.

It wasn’t so long ago that home owners were corded to plug-in drills.

Being able to grab your powerful screwdriver, and interchange drill bits with screw bits, is life-changing. Even renters should have one of these. Saving the effort of your wrist from turning a manual screwdriver is worth the investment alone.

Why is your choice of power tool brands THE #1 important decision?

Much like electronics, the batteries are compatible within that brand.

Somehow, I became a Makita gal. Those are the teal-colored power tools you see at the hardware store. No it wasn’t because they are pretty! And I do have friends who are Milwaukee (red), DeWalt (yellow), and other colors / brands of tools. Everyone is happy with their choice. (There’s also neon-green Ryobi, which is a brand partnered with Home Depot.)

The tool brand quality and product lines probably aren’t so different. But once you buy one, you will probably stay in that brand of tool for the many power tools you will collect. Read the reviews, ask contractors what they like, and look at the various available combo kits that include a battery recharger.

Not ready to commit? If you are in the East Bay, check out the Berkeley tool lending library and Oakland tool lending library for test drives! I’m not sure which cordless electric tools they have but it’s worth it to get familiar with what they do have, from ratchet sets to post-hole diggers.