The Essential List of Must-Have Tools for a Handyman Business - Joist (2024)

Professional handymen build their reputation on two things: reliability and skill. Both of these qualities depend on having the right tools ready at a moment’s notice.

A good set of tools helps you handle tough jobs with confidence. But missing or cheap tools can turn even simple fixes into major headaches. Whether you’re just starting your handyman business or looking to upgrade your toolkit, choosing the right equipment makes all the difference in your work.

This guide covers all the must-have tools for handyman work. Discover the essential safety gear and accessories for a complete handyman tool kit that can tackle any job.

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Hand Tools

Hand tools are a handyman’s time-tested, reliable allies. While power tools might get the glory, it’s your basic hand tools that handle most common repairs and maintenance tasks.

Let’s explore the hand tools no handyman’s toolbox should be without:

Measuring and Leveling Tools

• Tape Measure. A reliable tape measure helps you handle everything from hanging pictures to building decks with precision.
• Levels. Keep both 2-foot and 4-foot levels on your handyman tool list, plus a torpedo level for tight spaces.
• Stud Finder. A reliable stud finder saves time and prevents wall damage by letting you pinpoint the locations of studs and electrical wires.
• Speed Square. This versatile tool helps handymen quickly and accurately mark perfect 90- and 45-degree angles for general carpentry tasks.
• Combination Square. This tool is essential for checking depths and marking parallel lines, especially for woodworking projects.
• Angle Finder. Every handyman needs this tool for measuring and marking precise angles.
• Compass. This tool is useful for marking curved measurements and circles.

Cutting Tools

• Utility Knife. A sharp utility knife with plenty of spare blades allows you to accurately cut everything from drywall to carpet.
• Hand Saws. Stock multiple saw types in your toolset. With a hacksaw for cutting through metal or plastic, a hand saw for wood, and a handheld drywall saw, you can slice through any material that comes your way.
• Tin Snips. These are essential for cutting sheet metal and other thin materials cleanly.
• Wire Cutters. You need these for electrical work and safely cutting different types of wire.

Fastening and Striking Tools

• Hammer. Some of the best tools for handyman work are the old standbys. A quality hammer drives nails efficiently for a wide range of assembly tasks. To be prepared for anything, consider adding both claw and ball-peen hammers to your toolbox.
• Screwdrivers. Keep a complete set with different sizes of both flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers.

Gripping Tools

• Pliers. A full set of pliers includes needle-nose pliers for detailed work, regular pliers for everyday tasks, and locking pliers for jobs that need extra grip.
• Wire Strippers. These are essential for electrical work and safely stripping different gauges of wire.

Wrenches and Sockets

• Adjustable Wrenches. Keep multiple adjustable wrenches on hand to conquer any nut or bolt you encounter.
• Allen Wrench. Standard and metric sets are handy for furniture assembly and equipment repair.
• Pipe Wrench. A sturdy pipe wrench is essential for plumbing jobs where you need extra leverage and grip.
• Socket Set. Include both standard and metric sizes in your toolbox for working on different types of fasteners.

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Power Tools

While hand tools handle the basics, power tools let you work faster and tackle bigger projects with professional results. Here are some of the most useful:

• Cordless Drill. Every handyman needs a reliable cordless drill with multiple batteries. Add a complete drill bit set and look for an option with drill driver capability for added versatility.
• Circular Saw. A quality circular saw makes straight cuts in wood and other materials. Keep different blade types in your toolset to handle a wide range of jobs.
• Reciprocating Saw. Perfect for demolition work, this tool has variable speed control and fits into tight spaces. As with the circular saw, get multiple blade types for different materials.
• Angle Grinder. This power tool cuts and grinds metal, stone, and other tough materials with ease.
• Jigsaw. When your circular saw can’t handle curved cuts, a quality jigsaw steps in to give you precise control over complex shapes.
• Brad Nailer. This nail gun dramatically speeds up trim work and small carpentry jobs, delivering professional results in less time.
• Oscillating Multi-Tool. This versatile tool is for cutting, sanding, and grinding for detail work and reaching spots other handyman equipment can’t.
• Belt Sander. Sanders make quick work of smoothing out wood, metal, and plastic.

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Safety Gear

Every handyman needs proper safety gear. And it’s not just about following the rules. It’s about protecting yourself and your clients on every job. Here’s the gear that’s essential for keeping everyone safe:

Eye Protection

• Safety Glasses. High-quality safety glasses with side protection guard your eyes from dust and debris while using power tools like your circular saw or drill.
• Face Shields. A full-face shield offers extra protection when using power tools that kick up a lot of debris or working with chemicals that can splash.

Hand and Body Protection

• Work Gloves. Keep several pairs of durable work gloves to protect your hands.
• Knee Pads. Quality knee pads protect your joints during flooring jobs and other work that’s low to the ground.
• Steel-Toed Boots. These sturdy boots protect your feet if you drop a hammer, pipe wrench, or other heavy tool.

Respiratory and Hearing Protection

• Dust Masks and Respirators. Stock both basic dust masks for light work and proper respirators for jobs that involve chemicals or fine particles.
• Hearing Protection. Invest in both earplugs and over-ear protection to guard against noise from power tools like your circular saw.

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Accessories

Tools aren’t worth much without ways to store, power, and use them effectively. You need smart solutions for all three. Here are the essential accessories for running a professional handyman operation:

Tool Storage and Organization

• Toolbox. This one’s a no-brainer. A durable toolbox holds essential hand tools like your tape measure, screwdrivers, and stud finder, keeping them safe between jobs.
• Tool Belt. A comfortable tool belt keeps your most frequently used tools, like your hammer and utility knife, close by while keeping both hands free for work.
• Rolling chest. A mobile tool chest makes it easier to transport heavier power tools and keeps everything organized for bigger jobs.

Power Management

• Battery Station. A dedicated charging station for your power tools avoids running out of juice on the job.
• Extension Cords. Keep different sizes of heavy-duty extension cords to power your charging station, cordless drill, and other power tools. This makes it easier to plug in when you don’t have an outlet nearby.

Site Setup Tools

• Sawhorses. Sturdy sawhorses create an instant work surface for your circular saw and other cutting tasks at any job site.
• Work Lights. Bright, portable lights let you see clearly when using your utility knife or stud finder in dim spaces.
• Magnetic Strips. These handy strips keep screws and small parts from getting lost during repairs.

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Common Supplies

Stock these basic supplies to avoid emergency trips to the hardware store:

Adhesives and Repair Materials

• Wood Glue and Construction Adhesive. These strong adhesives handle most building and repair needs when a hammer and nails won’t do.
• Caulk and Plumber’s Putty. Keep a few different types of caulk and putty ready for sealing and waterproofing jobs that require more than just your pipe wrench to pull off.
• Wood Filler and Spackle. These are for repairing and filling in holes and imperfections so you can deliver professional-looking finish work.

Fasteners and Tapes

• Screws and Nails. Keep a sorted collection of common types of fasteners organized and ready in your toolset.
• Duct and Electrical Tape. Stock multiple types of tape for sticky repair situations of all kinds.
• Wall Anchors. Keep an assortment of anchors for your cordless drill for secure mounting on different wall materials.

Business Management Tools

Your handyman business needs more than a well-stocked tool set. Investing in management software lets you take care of the business side of things with minimal hassle:

• Scheduling System. Good scheduling software organizes your appointments and helps you plan what to include in your toolset for each job.
• Project Management Apps. Track details like jobs, deadlines, and client communications.
• Payment Processing. Mobile payment options let you accept cards and digital payments as soon as the job is done.
• Invoicing Software. Professional invoicing software helps you get paid and organize your records at the same time.

4 Tips for Building the Perfect Handyman Kit

If you’re new to the handyman game and feeling a little overwhelmed by all these tools, take a breath. You don’t need to buy everything all at once. Every handyman starts somewhere.

Here’s how to build a professional toolset that will serve you well throughout your career:

1. Begin With the Basics. Start with quality hand tools like a reliable hammer and screwdriver set. For smaller projects, these are all you need.
2. Invest in Quality Tools. Add power tools gradually as jobs demand them. A good cordless drill is often the first one worth investing in.
3. Keep It Clean. Clean and maintain your equipment after every job. Well-maintained tools last longer and show professionalism.
4. Stay Organized. Organize all tools and materials by type and frequency of use. Time spent searching for tools is time spent losing money.

Automate Bookkeeping by Syncing Your Joist and QuickBooks Online Accounts

Running a successful handyman business means organizing your finances as well as you organize your tools. And Joist makes it easy.

Manage, organize, and automate your bookkeeping with Joist’s QuickBooks Online sync. Spend less time keeping records and more time delighting customers—all while keeping your books organized.