A DIY homeowner who is passionate about craftsmanship will certainly own more advanced tools than the common screwdriver or hammer. And though weekend projects can range from construction to renovation to simple food canning, there are a few basic tools homeowners of all proficiency levels should have in their toolboxes.

IR Thermometer

This gadget will help you pinpoint areas of your home that need energy efficiency help. On a cold day, check the home for spots that are letting cold into the home. The thermometer will be able to tell you the exact spots that are not behaving in an energy efficient manner. Point it at the exterior doors leading to the garage or the outdoors, windows around the home or skylights. You might be surprised to learn which areas are the reason that your energy bills aren’t as low as they should be. This works on a hot day as well. You’ll be able to see where heat is entering from outdoors.

Vacuum Sealers

For homeowners who want to save money, a vacuum sealer is essential. Many of us don’t take advantage of sales at the supermarket like we should because we have no way to extend the shelf life of meat or produce. A vacuum sealer removes all the air from the package surrounding the food, so that it will last longer when frozen or canned. Many homesteaders who have their own gardens as well as livestock will use a vacuum sealer when preparing food to be stored for long periods of time. If the food isn’t sealed properly, it would be wasted. Food that isn’t properly stored could also potentially breed bacteria and make the entire family sick too. Remember that a vacuum sealer by itself isn’t enough. You need to be sure that you buy a quantity of myler bags or similar sealable containers in order to make use it.

Electrical Detection Screwdriver

For complicated wiring issues within the home, unless you’re a licensed electrician, you should hire a professional. There are hundreds of other electrical projects that the handy DIY homeowner can tackle themselves. You might want to change a light fixture or remove and remount electrical plugs. For these tasks, you’ll need an electrical detection screwdriver. After shutting down the electricity, you still need to ensure that there is no current moving through the wires. It’s quite dangerous to touch wires unless you’re sure there is no current moving through them. That can only be accomplished with a detection device. The screwdriver is placed in the conductor to be tested. If there’s electricity flowing, the handle will light up, which alerts you to dangerous current.

Bucket Tool Organizer

Instead of carrying a tool box where you’ll have to dig for hidden tools that are being covered by others, a bucket organizer is a heavy-duty fabric organizer that wraps around a large bucket. The outer part of the fabric has pockets for easy organization while bigger tools can be placed inside the bucket. It’s a simpler way to organize compared to a large tool box or bag of tools where they’re all jumbled together.

Every DIY Homeowner Needs A Power Drill!

Lastly, this is a vital piece of equipment in any DIY homeowner’s arsenal. Most homeowners have a tiny cordless drill for small interior jobs like hanging pictures or blinds. A heavy-duty drill that plugs directly into the wall will give you the power needed for large construction jobs like putting up drywall when refinishing the basement. Any homeowner who is passionate about their DIY projects will want a real power drill.

These are just a few of the tools that passionate dwellers should have in their toolbox or bucket tool organizer. If the project calls for a tool or piece of equipment for one-time use, you could always borrow one from a neighbor or family member. There are local home improvement stores that will rent you the equipment you need too.