For example, I think I’ll need a ladder. I’m looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
You’re up north? I’d be thinking of ways to keep the house insulated, warm and with pipes unfrozen.
Pipewrap. They come in a few different options. The cheap foam works ok, but can be a pain around elbows and expansions. The insulation roll is a bit easier to get done well but takes more time.
Pipe heaters - relatively cheap, somewhere around $20-40. Run it along the pipe and plug it in.
Do you have a well or city water? If a well, make sure that cement encasement is lodged in the ground good and then stuff insulation all in it. Pipe warmer may serve you well here too. If city, then you’re in a bit of an easier situation.
If you have a crawl space, seal the door well. Don’t forget to open the vents in the summer and for sure close them in the winter. If you have a basement, make sure your water barrier is doing its job and get a dehumidifier to prevent mold. Try to get one with a drain tube so you don’t have to empty it all the freaking time like I currently do.
Get one of those foam dohickeys for your outdoor faucets and for the love of all that is unfrozen do not leave your hoses attached in the winter.
Get a preventive maintenance plan on your big ticket items like furnaces boilers and aircons. People neglect these and then end up with an eventual $8k unexpected bill. At least the pms will tell you if you’re close to their expiry so you can prepare. They may also help you prevent mold in your aircon before it becomes a problem.
Get pest control, we do monthly. It’ll help keep out the ants, mice, bats and squirrels.
Get yourself a backup battery that can run a fridge for a day. Or invest in a backup generator.
Figure out what your secondary source of heat will be (e.g wood stove, propane, kerosene.) Make sure you have it stocked. If you burn anything, make sure to get a CO sensor and that your fire alarms are working. Houses are so tightly built nowadays that you’ll need to ensure anything burned has proper ventilation.
Change your air filters every 3 months depending on use. Make sure to clean your fridge air filter every 6 months. If you have a kitchen stove exhaust fan, make sure to clean that up every few months as well.
Invest in some salt and a snow shovel if you don’t already have one. You’ll need it. .
Change out your locks. Who knows who the previous owners gave a key. If your doors have the smart key system, then it’s very easy to do nowadays.
Learn where your electric panel is, make sure you don’t have two or even three elsewhere around the house, sometimes inside, sometimes out.
Don’t be a stranger, talk to your neighbors. They’re your best resource in a pinch
Congrats on owning your own castle. It’s a lot of upkeep but it’s a lot of piece of mind too.
Change out your locks. Who knows who the previous owners gave a key.
Do people actually forgo this step? I can’t imagine. This is like the first thing my parents taught me.
Shop Vac. Tool chest. Beer.
Definitely a shop vac. Specifically a wet/dry vac so if something good wrong and leaks all over, you have a quick solution.
Besides a typical big corded model, I also have a small cordless one which is super convenient. Depending what kind of stuff you plan to do, the small one might be enough. Be aware this can be another way to start the vendor-specific battery lock in. (Though you can get adapters.)
I don’t own many tools, let alone enough tools that would necessitate an entire chest. What in particular do you suggest I fill it with?
Inevitably you are going to need tools after you tire of paying contractors to fix or install things.
A set of screwdrivers, pliers, tape measure, hammer
That’s your starting set. As a homeowner trust me, you’ll find places to use them.
Plunger, plumber’s snake, and step stool. Watch out with that ladder; ladders are killers. Up to a six foot folding ladder is pretty safe, but I won’t go up an extension ladder.
-Drill/driver with a decent set of drill bits -set of screwdrivers -pipe wrench -adjustable wrenches -hammer and rubber mallet -at least a couple flashlights -plunger and drain snake -extension cord -tape measure -pliers -ladder and step stool -multimeter -good scissors/shears -snow shovel, snowblower, and ice melt -extra lightbulbs and batteries
Go to whatever the Canadian version of harbor freight is and they probably have a home owners tool kit that’ll have most of the hand tools you need. You can cheap out on most stuff to start out and if you use it enough to break it or wear it out buy a better one.
Also not specifically stuff to buy but knowing where the electrical and water shut offs are and having a well labeled breaker box.
I thought about all the things I’ve bought for this house and wondered what would I miss the most if I couldn’t replace it.
The bidet.
First thing I installed when I moved into my current rental!
I literally just finished installing them in both of our bathrooms. So glad for them.
A box running homeassistant with the appropriate zigbee / zwave dongle.
Don’t bother buying stuff you “think” you’ll need except for a drill. Buy stuff beyond that as needed.
Depending on where you live get to know the deal spots around you: pawn shops, Craigslist, fb marketplace, ebay, etc. tools are frequently resold for fairly cheap especially if you ever desire stuff that’s a pain in the ass to ship/move like ladders/table saws/miter box/etc.
Brand doesn’t matter regardless of what internet dorks say for the most part but picking an ecosystem means you won’t have 90 different batteries hanging around. Keep in mind with some manufacturers there a sub lines with different batteries (eg ryobi has a battery whereas Makita has 3 different battery types).
Don’t buy Milwaukee. Dogshit tools that work okay until they don’t. Makita, ryobi, dewalt, Bosch, metabo, etc are generally repairable. Makita is my go to because you can generally buy parts (though sometimes cost prohibitive tbf), dewalt too but dewalt is pricier. Milwaukee though tends to have these proprietary pcbs with microcontrollers in everything for some reason that inevitably fail and cannot be purchased so once they fail the $350 tool you just got is junk. Whereas https://www.ereplacementparts.com/makita-parts-c-97.html? And https://www.toolservicenet.com/b2b/dewalt/en//Dewalt/OUTDOOR//p/DCCS623B sells actual oem parts
Harbor freight stuff is fine too especially if you’re not going to use it much (or even if you are, my palm sander is from there and I’ve used that for hundreds of hours. Had to change the brushes but otherwise fine).
Hope you know how to patch drywall.
If you want something like cameras that’s like a whole thing. IMO that’s where you should head over to selfhosted. Easy mode is get some WiFi cameras from whoever like eufy and slap them on your house but then you trade away privacy (uploads to their cloud servers and literally every company has had at least one “security whoopsie”) and connection stability (WiFi connection will inherently drop out several times a week/day/hour depending on your setup/congestion in your area. You go to check the camera and it’s always unavailable when you need it). You also have to either add solar panels to them or recharge them every few months. But this is generally what people do because it’s cheaper and easier
Alternatively you can get power over Ethernet cameras that have much more reliable connectivity and are more likely to run locally (eg record to hardware in your home, either an NVR or a server you make). Downsides here are more expensive (not subsidized by being able to sell your data + the cost of the nvr/server), needing to run Ethernet drops to wherever you want cameras, having to figure out something like tailscale if you want to view cameras remotely and truly don’t want any cloud involved
This is good stuff. For the cameras, Euphys generally have micro SD card slots, can store locally, and are Apple Home compatible and can store data in iCloud. (I realize Apple stuff is not every lemming’s cup of tea, but I daresay iCloud is more secure thatn Euphy’s servers.)
So I personally will forever be on the side of “fuck eufy and I hope they fail miserably” for several reasons:
they initial sold their cameras with the guarantee of no cloud integration. When users found that even if you had it set to be local only it still uploaded thumbnails of every persons face with a “name” attached to an aws server and that portions of camera streams could be viewed remotely without encryption, suggesting that all of this data was being transmitted without encryption. When called out on this eufy doubled down and said it was incorrect. When proven wrong they offered 0 recourse for pissed off customers who purchased it specifically because of their promises that it was “no cloud integration”, their only response was to silently remove references to “no cloud integration” and “military grade encryption” from their website and marketing materials.
This led to a 450,000 dollar settlement earlier this year based on an investigation from the NYAG that found “eufy’s Internet-connected security cameras, video doorbells and smart locks did not fully encrypt video data in transit, despite company assurances that consumer footage would remain private and secure.”
Scumbag company. Fuck eufy.
Well. I only have 1 camera so far, so I’m not exactly heavily invested. Is there a brand you like?
I am fairly militant about privacy and data security so I go POE and self hosted. My cameras are all wired and sync to a server in my basement. I trust no corporations.
That said the cameras I have are reolink. They do have options for WiFi cameras that use apps and such but I don’t use this. You can also use the app with the POE camera but I don’t do this.
I have the cameras on an isolated lan with no internet access. All of my smart home stuff is like this. If it doesn’t work on an isolated vlan then it is useless to me and I won’t buy it. I then forward the rtsp stream from the cameras to homeassistant which has tailscale so I can view the cameras remotely.
At one point I used homebridge in homeassistant so I could view everything in homekit but I finally convinced my partner to just use the homeassistant app and leave apple nonsense behind. That said if you’re less paranoid than me this works too and gives you remote access without the bother of tailscale (but the downside of funneling it all through apple).
Of course, if you research and trust reolinks app then using that is the easiest thing. I haven’t done that tho. I believe amcrest cameras are also good but these are also primarily POE
Ive had a set of eufy cameras for almost 7 years, I’ve never uograded the SD card the storage unit thingy came with and its been flawless!
I have no idea how decent any of their new stuff is but I’m very happy with the performance I’ve had so far! Especially given they are the wire-free cameras which you have to recharge every 4 months or so.
Ladders always go up in price when you NEED one, so I definitely recommend getting one before the time comes. Also, get one bigger than you think you need for your roof/ tree access.
Another would be a basic tool kit that has socket wrenches and adjustable wrenches.
A set of allen keys /hex wrenches I dont know which they call them in Canada
And of course screw driver bit set there are so many different types of screw heads these days.
And this one is a personal peeve of mine. Get a cheap dryer line clear out brush kit. The air duct gets clogged with lint, eventually becoming a fire hazard that is often overlooked.
GOOD LUCK WITH HOME OWNERSHIP!
Electronic programmable thermostat. Don’t need it to be WiFi connectable. But program it for different times of the day. It will save a ton of money for you.
Things I haven’t seen mentioned: Fire extinguisher. Socket set. Battery storage and fill it up. Shelving for backstock items like TP, paper towels, other things you tend to blow through. You don’t want to have to get out during some of those northern winter snow times.
If you’re going to want wall-to-wall carpets or need to fix flooring, replace them before you move in – or at least while things are still sparse and it is easy to move stuff. Paint your walls now, too. Need more insulation? Better sooner than later.
If it is an older house, you probably want more electrical outlets, and may want to add circuit breakers for new lines to the fuse box (I needed to do that to run window air-conditioners plus several PCs on the upper floor).
It seems like all new appliances die in 10 years, but they’re more energy effcient. I’m glad I put a water filter on the line into the refrigertaor so I can replace the exterior filter instead of the one for the current refrigerator (which gives ice and water from the exterior with no need to open the doors). How’s your water heater? What type of home heating do you have?
Edit: and try to introduce yourself to your neighbors! try to catch them while yuo’re both doing yardwork or some such, but neighbors can watch out for one another … but of course, some are real jerks, so until you get a feel for everyone, it is best to be diplomatic and not share opinions on things like politics or relgion.
Depends on the kind of home and how “handy” you feel yourself to be. There are a lot of minor things around the home which can save you boatloads of money (and be faster to deal with) if you do them yourself.
Tools:
- A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver. It’s my #1 go-to for assorted small fixes. Wirecutter recently recommended the Megapro 211R2C36RD, for what that’s worth.
- Multi-tool. Another good “it’s not the best at anything, but I use it for everything”.
- Adjustable wrench and/or pliers. Good for tightening nuts, holding things tight, bending, and other small tasks.
- Sponge mop. One of the ones with a little handle to help squeeze it out. Great for cleaning floors without killing your back.
- Speaking of which, a good-quality hard plastic bucket. Look for something in the 10-15 liter range. Dirty water, clean water, road salt, supplies, anything which is easy to carry.
- If you are comfortable with power tools, a good quality cordless drill can be a huge help as well.
- If you’re comfortable doing your own minor electrical repairs, one of those little outlet checker tools. Saves a ton of time.
- Good quality measuring tools, like a measuring tape and/or bubble level. These needn’t kill the budget, but are handy to have.
Comfort:
- I am a firm believer in ceiling fans as a great room cooler. Put one up and be amazed as the room feels comfortable at a range of temperatures.
- Similarly, a small room air circulator or pedestal fan can really help, especially if you’re doing some heavy work.
- If you don’t have good chairs for the table, I’m a personal fan of Ikea’s Bergmund.
Convenience:
- “Lazy susan” cabinet organizers. Game-changer for kitchen cabinets.
- Mr Clean abrasive cleaning pads. You can scrape off a lot of grime with these.
Lastly, for furniture and other things, unless you’re in a really small area, check various community marketplace kinds of sites. You can find a lot of critical stuff for less than MSRP, and non-critical stuff at a point that won’t break your budget.
Get cheap tools. Buy everything at harbor freight. Don’t splurge on anything that’s not a safety hazard (get a quality ladder, but buy cheap screwdrivers)
If the tool breaks, buy a quality one to replace it.
Project Farm is your friend to find the cheap option, and the quality option.
Start collecting tools from yard sales.
Great option
get a quality ladder, but buy cheap screwdrivers
I disagree, don’t buy cheap tools, especially screwdrivers. You don’t need to break the bank, but the cheapest options are going to be problematic for a number of reasons. Not only are the cheap tools, themselves, prone to breaking, but they also have the potential to strip your screws. Depending on what you’re working on, that screw may be almost impossible to replace, if it’s not in a standard sizing.
Personally, I suggest Wiha tools, based on a recommendation I received here on Lemmy about a year ago. They’re made with high-quality materials so they’re a bit more expensive than your typical Craftsman garbage, but they’re not unreasonably priced, and far from being the most expensive in their category. I’ve got a few Wiha driver sets that I make use of pretty frequently, and they’re all still in excellent condition, and none of them have ever stripped a screw yet, despite my clumsy ass handling them.
Do not cheap out on a power drill. Get a nice one with a light and everything. Otherwise, you’re just pissing money away.
The target here is home owners, not trades. The cheapo ozito drill I bought is half the price of a “good” one, and for the homeowner use case is plenty. Spending more on a drill would have been pissing money away.
Disagree, drill drivers are cheap these days. Don’t lock yourself into an expensive battery platform yet.
Don’t get anything more than a Ryobi drill and see if you need a good one, once it breaks, then you can decide what color you will use for the next 20 years.
I have Rigid stuff I inherited from my dad. Some of the lipo batteries are from 2011 and still kicking. And I fabricate and restore cars semi-professionally, before that my dad was a handyman and not gentle on them for the first 5-6 years he used them. We built a 30 foot porch, and installed a metal roof with those drivers for instance.
It’s mid grade between Ryobi and Milwaukee which I have a couple of. Besides some specialty tools, I think the red tools are just status, I don’t see a real difference in quality. And I think they all have flashlights in them now too. Some even have ring lights that are super handy.
Buy the kit when it’s on sale (Father’s Day, or Black Friday are good ones, but pretty much any holiday sale). It’ll usually get you a free battery or charger and having a separate drill and impact driver is pretty handy when installing shit around the house.
Makita gang rise up
My Makita drill is honestly baller. Lightweight and easy to handle, but still powerful enough for almost anything. And it has a light! That said, I still have a big honking Dewalt 18v(?) with the heavy ass batteries that is still going strong after 20 years (even the heavy ass batteries!), that I break out for the really heavy duty stuff. (Or when I can’t find my little Makita. Which is now).
Hell yeah brother.
My 2 cents, get a good drill and good screwdriver set, cheap out on everything else until you replace it.
If you’re techy at all, get an iFixit toolkit for small or proprietary screw heads. What a lifesaver that’s been; even for things like hex heads in furniture.
Always have a stocked liquor cabinet. Doesn’t matter if you drink or not - if you wanna be an accommodating host, make sure you at least have something to offer. You’ll feel like a bad host if you don’t at least offer.
I use my Neat steamer at least once a season for deep cleaning all over the house.
Air filters are great and seriously help keep the air clean and less stale, especially if you have pets. Most guests have no idea I have a cat until I show her off.
A good cooler is always useful. You don’t need to splurge for a yeti, but from having people in the yard, to keeping canned drinks cold for a party, a good cooler that can hold ice and drinks is invaluable for an event you’re hosting.
Always have a stocked liquor cabinet. Doesn’t matter if you drink or not - if you wanna be an accommodating host, make sure you at least have something to offer. You’ll feel like a bad host if you don’t at least offer.
As someone who doesn’t drink, I couldn’t give two shits if you come to my home and want an alcoholic beverage. If they feel like I’m a bad host because they came to the home of someone that doesn’t drink and I don’t have alcohol to offer, then suddenly they’re the person that I’m the reevaluating if they need to be in my life.
You might need multiple ladders. An extension ladder if you think you’ll every need to get up on the roof, clean out the gutters, etc. Definitely a full size step ladder. A really light short step ladder can be handy too.
I’d also suggest a painters tool. A couple of putty knives and a can of patching plaster.
