Spend $250 on These Tools to Avoid Trips to the Hardware Store Later [DIY]

We're pretty big fans of do-it-yourself work around here, but having the right tools is imperative. The New York Times shows us that for about $250, you can outfit yourself with the dozen or so tools essential to home maintenance.

Photo by Usefulguy.

Home maintenance takes time, and you don't need to waste even more trekking to the hardware store for basic tools each time you start a project. Bob Tedeschi at the Times pulls together the must-have items for every toolbox, from the basic hammer, screwdriver, cordless drill, pliers and wrenches (both regular and socket), to the less obvious but still important stud finder, level, and small handsaw. He also goes through the many variations on each tool, noting the pros and cons of each, like safety performance and multitasking ability.

It's not so much a shopping list of tools as much as it is a guide to creating your own. Everyone has different needs and preferences, so while there are certainly tools everyone should have, there is no one size fits all solution. Check out the article for more details, and feel free to share your own favorite toolbox essentials in the comments.

The Tools You Really Need to Maintain Your Home

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