When we discuss big DIY projects, we tend to emphasize power tools, building materials, and accessories. Often, we forget to mention just how important it is to plan properly and to remember a range of small items that are easily overlooked. The absence of any one of these, from contractor trash bags to bug spray, can cost you dearly.
Below, we have a list of essentials, though you probably have others to add to our list. Stock up before beginning your next project.
The Three Phases of Any DIY Job
But before we get to the list, we’ll pause to tell you that in its simplest form, any DIY or job is composed of three stages—preparation, execution, and cleanup. Giving this careful and methodical thought will make it more likely that you will include the items listed below and many others as well! Furthermore, looking at the job in terms of those three phases, helps you better understand it before you begin.
Each phase (preparation, execution, and cleanup) requires tools and materials. Think of what you need for each phase and list them on a notebook. Spending some quiet time considering the job (get up early in the morning before anybody in the house is up to disturb you) will save you hours on the job, wasted trips to the lumber yard, and other annoyances.
For example, thinking about preparation, what do you need to prepare for the job? Start with a notebook and pen (these are preparation tools and materials). Break the job down in your mind. Walk the job, and look things over. List tools and materials to prepare (protective materials and tarps for surfaces, cleaners, and masking tape are all examples of what you might need to prepare for a paint job). Consider each phase in sequence. Review what you have and what you don’t. List every single thing you can think of to buy.
Think of your processes, too. Where will you stand ladders? From where are you going to pull power? Are you going to cope or miter trim corners? Mixing mortar? How and where will you do that?
After your due diligence is complete, double check that you have the items below.
Contractor Trash Bags
Just how do you intend to keep the worksite clean? Any DIY job from painting a closet to building a deck will produce some sort of waste. Without trash bags, you’ve got a real mess on your hands. Equally as important, something has to hold that bag up. What will it be? You can put a contractor trash bag in a garbage can, a barrel, a wheelbarrow, use a couple of clamps and suspend the bag from a piece of plywood leaning against the wall.
Shims
I always have a package or at least a couple of wood shims on hand. Why? I use them for everything from leveling ladders, to repairing doors, to shimming cabinets flush. Whenever I have a drywall job ahead, I get a package of drywall shims, specially made for evening out framing irregularities. You need shims. Without them, you’re sunk.
A Note Pad
I gave up writing down dimensions on scrap blocks years ago. Once I started using a note book that tucks into my shirt or the pocket on my T-shirt, I never went back to the old method of writing on scrap wood. Notes and dimensions are too easily lost when assigned to a scrap block or a piece of scrap paper. Furthermore, in most cases, you can’t take that block of wood with you up a ladder, and it’s too easily thrown in the trash with other scraps. For notebooks, I recently found the Rite in the Rain, $5 (and US made) at any Lowe’s and online. I already consider one of these things to be indispensable for its utility and durability.
Spare Bits
The other day, my impact driver slipped off my belt and fell 20 feet to a concrete driveway, landing on the drive bit. The tool was fine, but the bit wasn’t. Fortunately, I had spare bits. Picture that happening without spares. That means maybe an hour or more lost going to the hardware store or home center to get replacement bits. You should have a minimum of two of every size of drive bit.
Spare Utility Knife Blades
Stanley 11-921A Utility Knife Blade
We don’t pay much attention to our utility knife blades until they absolutely refuse to cut any further. Carry fresh blades. Using a utility knife with a dull blade is inefficient, frustrating, and causes you to dig into the cut with so much force that it becomes dangerous.
First Aid Kit
A freshly snipped piece of metal gives you a nasty cut and what will you do without a bandage? Wrap the cut with a piece of paper towel (assuming you have some) closed with masking tape? Forget it. In the time it takes you to find the paper towel, and the masking tape, you could have the cut cleaned and bandaged. Carrying a first aid kit is common sense. Suppose you’re heading out right this minute to undertake some DIY job, at least get some bandages and put them in a plastic sandwich bag. It may not be a first aid kit, but it’s better than nothing.
Safety Glasses
These should be obvious to anybody in the building trades (as well as DIYers), but I was glad I was wearing mine the other day when I stood up a particularly filthy and crusty 24-foot extension ladder. Dirt and dust rained down on me as I looked up. It wasn’t a problem because I had on safety glasses. They’ve also saved my eyes on numerous occasions where debris went flying–everything from wood splinters, to concrete and metal chips, to what was left of a Coke bottle hidden in tall grass that was struck by a lawn mower.
Spare Tape Measure or Rule
I’ve seen tape measures break when I’ve least expected them to. The blade sticks or jams, or snaps or the thing gets damaged in a freak accident. In my toolkit, I carry a 6-ft folding rule. The other day, a volunteer temporarily lost his tape; I let him borrow mine and pulled out the folding rule and kept working. Aside from the fact that I like to use a folding ruler for some stuff (there are rare occasions), it’s a handy backup. Note: on this particular job it was easy to leave the ruler unfolded on the work surface and actually proved very handy for measuring repeat cuts, perhaps even faster than using my tape measure. Eventually the missing tape showed up and we returned to normal measuring. But I was glad I had the ol’ six footer with me.
Bug Spray
You may have a bug-free day, then afternoon shadows grow long as the day fades and, before you know it, you’re being eaten alive. Without bug spray, you’re at the mercy of horse flies, fleas, gnats, and mosquitoes. I’ve been bitten by all of them and have learned never start a summer work day without checking my supply of bug spray (I also throw in some sunscreen for good measure).
Rags
Just what are you going to use to wipe off caulk, wood stain, wood glue, dirt, even sweat? A bunch of clean cotton rags saves the day. On a recent job, we referred to one of these rags as the “caulk wiper offer.” Call them what you will, you need rags.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
