The First Tools and Supplies You’ll Need as a New Homeowner

Being a new homeowner can be overwhelming, especially if it needs a little (or a lot of) work right off the bat. You’ve been through the process of buying it and you’re ready to move in. Congratulations!

But now that you own a property, you need to maintain it. “But GoPrime,” you say, pretending our company is a person, “I don’t know the first thing about home maintenance! I’m all thumbs! Where would I even start?”

Gentle reader, take heart! We’re here with some advice. While we’re not going to instruct you on how to perform different maintenance or improvement tasks (that’s what YouTube is for), here’s our take on the first tools and supplies you’ll need as a new homeowner.

 

Junk Drawer Stuff

 

This first category is made up of small things you’ll want access to — stuff that will fit in your junk drawer and be readily available. You’ll want to keep on hand:

• Batteries: Remotes, flashlights, appliances, kids’ toys, and don’t forget the most important batteries of all, smoke detector batteries (a.k.a. 9 volts).
• Light bulbs: They’ll start burning out seemingly the day you move in. Make sure to get all the sizes, wattages, and colors you’ll need.
• Tape: You’ll want duct tape (or is it duck? Turns out, it’s complicated), masking tape, and cellulose tape (Scotch tape in the US or Sellotape in the UK). Painter’s tape is a bonus if there’s painting in your future.

 

Toolbox Stuff

 

For things that are too big for your junk drawer, or that you might not need access to all the time, you might keep them in a toolbox. Those things are:

• Hammer and nails: Make sure to get one that can remove nails — either yours or the previous homeowners’; we won’t judge.

• Screwdriver: Electric isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes everything far less aggravating. You’ll need Phillips and flathead bits.

• Flashlight: For power outages and dark spaces, you’ll need to use those beautiful peepers. Get a flashlight and keep good batteries in it.

 

Garage/Shed/Basement/Other Storage Area Stuff

 

The biggest and/or least frequently used (though still necessary) supplies and tools will need some love, too. Wherever you choose to put them, here’s our list of items:

• Garden hose: Likely called a “hosepipe” if you’re in the UK (which we in the USA rightly recognize as silly), you’ll need it for watering plants, washing cars, and filling kiddy pools (no shade if you use one as an adult).

• Painting gear: Brushes, rollers, tape, and something to cover the floor will be necessary for walls, ceilings, etc.

• Spackle: Whether you took out some meaty chunks of drywall or left giant holes from shelf-hanging mishaps, spackle, a spackle knife, and some fine sandpaper will make your mistake a thing of the past!

 

Other Very Necessary Stuff that Doesn’t Fit the Other Categories

 

Two more things have to be included in the list. But rather than keeping them in the above spaces, you’ll want them in the most relevant spots. They are:

• Fire extinguisher: Keep one in the kitchen and others wherever you have something likely to catch fire and/or explode.

• Plunger: The second you need one and don’t have it… yikes.

 

This list won’t cover everything you’ll ever need, but if you’re prioritizing for the most likely or most dire home care situations, you have some pointers on where to start.

 

Nothing can possibly go wrong now!*

 

*GoPrime makes no actual claim or guarantee regarding mishaps or mayhem in homeownership or otherwise.