Good Bones - Part 3 - After the Home Inspection, it's time to buy a toolbox of your own!
It's happened. You've spent months looking for your perfect home in Delta, Surrey, White Rock, or Abbotsford! Your offer was accepted, you had a home inspection (by Walkabout Inspections, I hope!) and now you have the keys to your home. All of the papers have been signed and sent off to the appropriate places, and you're standing in your living room.
Now what?
There's a lot to consider when you're establishing your budget for renovation.
First of all, you have to consider the tools that you need to maintain your home.
THE ESSENTIAL TOOLBOX
For years, I carted my toolbox from house to house. It had one thing in it, along with a few incidential pieces. A hammer. I used it to bang nails into the wall for picture hanging. Of course I had my car repair tools, but I was missing the essentials until I was in my own home.
If you're being asked "what do you need" a basic tool kit is a great start.
It doesn't need to be expensive or top-of-the-line tools; however, good tools will last generations. A basic home repair toolbox contains essential items such as a hammer, hacksaw, pliers, assorted screwdrivers, plumber's wrench, basin wrench, drill and a tape measure.
I've found some great ones on Amazon. But Lowe's also has the superior line of Task Tools. (My daughter is the product manager for Task in Delta)
GET A NEW SET OF KEYS AND DUPLICATES
Homeowners receive a set of keys to the home at closing, but who knows how many other people have duplicates of those keys? Could be contractors, real estate agents neighbors or a kid who found a set lying in the street. It's a good idea to obtain a new set of keys. Some first-time home buyers might prefer a new handle and lockset, especially if the existing hardware is outdated or worn.
Why not hire a locksmith to re-key all the doors for that first-time home buyer? A locksmith can key all the doors, including the garage, to use one key. Giving new keys is a thoughtful gift, and it promotes security.
GARDEN TOOLS
This is where the size of your house and land make a difference regarding what you need. You might be in a Guildford townhouse, or have a full acre in Langley. What you need to maintain your land is going to depend on the size of greenspace you have to look after.
It's interesting that we've lived in the same neighbourhood since 1988, and we can always tell when the new neighbours have moved into their first home. It takes a while before the gardens and lawn get decent repair. Most new homeowners are challenged to get everything done when they move in, and usually the garden / lot is the last to get any decent attention.
Apart from hoes, rakes, spades and shovels, which are useful to first-time homeowners who have a back yard, even second-floor condo dwellers can use a set of garden tools such as a trowel, dutch rake and watering can. Many townhome and condo owners utilize small spaces such as balconies or tiny patios for container gardening.
Other important items to purchase are pruners, hedge shears, loppers, garden hoses, sprinklers, potting benches, rain gauges, thermometers and compost bins.
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Before you start taking things apart and turning off the breakers, consider your skill level. Plumbers, electricians and drywallers make a lot of money fixing homeowner's mistakes. It might be a good idea to consider phoning a professional before you jump into doing work that a pro should do. On the other hand, if you want to try your hand at adding a backsplash to a small bathroom, trying it there might be a good idea before you tackle a big kitchen reno. Take advantage of the skill levels of some of your friends, and have them show you the ropes. Learning how to do some simple maintenance will not only improve your home's livability, but will help you gain confidence about keeping your home in tip top shape. Just remember, most amateur work can be spotted by a home inspector. If it's in a place that doesn't matter as much, it's probably a better place to start. For instance, my wife is a lousy painter. She loves the newest paint colours, and in our home, well... we hire a professional. But while up at our summer place, she can paint walls, floors or ceilings to her heart's delight. It doesn't matter as much that the paint job is much less than professional, and she is honing her skills — slowly.
