The 8 essential tools for starting to remodel your home
When I started in remodeling, my "shop" fit in the trunk of my car. Over the years I learned you don't need expensive tools: you need the right ones. These eight are the ones I use on practically every project, from bathroom to basement, because they cover the essentials: measuring, cutting, fastening, and cleaning.
How to choose your first tools: what really matters
- Buy for the project you have: a basic kit handles 90% of a remodel; specialized tools get rented.
- One battery platform: if your drill is a DeWalt 20V, make your saw and your multi-tool 20V too. Sharing batteries saves you hundreds of dollars.
- Quality in what you use most: invest in the drill and the saw; the tape measure or the caulk gun can be cheap.
- Safety first: glasses, gloves, and hearing protection are not optional.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Why it's essential | Price | See deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V cordless drill ⭐ #1 | Drives screws and drills almost everything | check current price | See price |
| 7-1/4" circular saw | Straight cuts in lumber and plywood | check current price | See price |
| Laser level | Perfect lines without a helper | check current price | See price |
| Oscillating multi-tool | Cuts in tight spots | check current price | See price |
| Caulk gun | Clean sealing in bathrooms and kitchens | check current price | See price |
| Drill and bit set | The drill is useless without these | check current price | See price |
| Tape measure and speed square | Measuring right is half the job | check current price | See price |
| Wet/dry shop vacuum | Cleanup of dust and debris | check current price | See price |
1. 20V cordless drill — the heart of your shop
Price: check current price
If you could only buy one tool, make it this one. A 20V drill (like the DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2) drives drywall screws, mounts cabinets, and drills wood and metal. Buy the kit with two batteries: the brand you pick defines your platform for everything else.
- Works for driving screws, drilling, and much more
- Batteries compatible with other tools
2. 7-1/4" circular saw — for cutting like a pro
Price: check current price
Subfloor plywood, 2x4 framing, long drywall cuts: it all goes through the circular saw. A cordless one on your own platform cuts up to 2-1/2" deep, enough for almost the whole remodel. Use a straight-edge guide for perfect cuts.
- Cuts wood, plywood, and drywall fast
- Cordless ones now perform like corded
3. Laser level — perfect lines without a helper
Price: check current price
The laser projects a perfectly level line across the whole wall: you mark once, install once. Ideal for tile and cabinets. A self-leveling cross-line model in the $30-$80 range is enough for interiors.
- Installations level on the first try
- Very affordable for what it delivers
4. Oscillating multi-tool — the one that solves the impossible
Price: check current price
Undercutting a door frame so new flooring slides under, cutting an exact hole in drywall for an electrical box, scraping old adhesive: the oscillating tool does all that. Pick one on your own platform and buy the mixed blade set.
- Does jobs no other tool can
- Cheap accessories for each task
5. Caulk gun — the detail that gives away the pro
Price: check current price
The difference between a "homemade" bathroom and a professional one is often a well-laid bead of sealant: the tub, the vanity, the backsplash. It costs little ($10-$30) and the visual impact is huge.
- Dirt cheap for the finish it delivers
- Essential in bathrooms and kitchens
6. Drill and bit set — the drill is useless without these
Price: check current price
The classic mistake: spending $150 on the drill and $0 on bits. A good set (wood, metal, and masonry + Phillips and Torx bits) costs $20-$40 and multiplies what your drill can do. Torx bits are worth their weight in gold: they don't strip like Phillips.
- Turns your drill into a complete tool
- Torx bits prevent stripped screws
7. Tape measure and speed square — measuring right is half the job
Price: check current price
"Measure twice, cut once" is the rule that separates clean work from waste. A 25-foot tape with a firm lock and a speed square (under $15) let you mark cuts, check 90° angles, and guide the saw. The cheapest on the list.
- They prevent costly measuring mistakes
- No batteries or maintenance needed
8. Wet/dry shop vacuum — finish like a professional
Price: check current price
Drywall dust gets into everything: your lungs, fresh paint, the client's house. A wet/dry vac picks up fine dust, wood scraps, and even water from a dripping pipe. Finishing clean gets you referrals. A 4–6 gallon model is the sweet spot.
- Picks up dust, debris, and liquids in one
- Protects your health from fine dust
Your starter kit for under $500
The secret: buy the drill in kit form and everything else cordless as a "bare tool" on the same platform.
- 20V drill in kit (2 batteries): $100-$150. This defines your platform.
- Circular saw and multi-tool as bare tools: $80-$120 and $60-$90.
- Cross-line laser level: $30-$60.
- Corded 4–6 gallon wet/dry vacuum: $50-$80.
- Drill and bit set: $20-$35.
- 25' tape measure + speed square: $15-$25.
- Caulk gun: $10-$20.
Estimated total: $365-$500. Check the 2–3 tool combos from the same brand: they're sometimes cheaper than buying separately.
In-depth buying guide
Purchase order matters: first the drill with two batteries, then the saw, then everything else. With those two you do 70% of any remodel. And don't buy everything on the same day without comparing: prices fluctuate and combos come and go.
From one remodeler to a future remodeler: spend on safety before power. Glasses, a P100 respirator, and earplugs cost less than any tool on this list. The circular saw deserves your maximum respect: practice on scrap wood.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remodel a full bathroom with these 8 tools?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. You'd only need specific plumbing tools or a tile cutter if there's a lot of tile.
Is a tool combo better than buying one by one?
If it includes the drill, saw, and multi-tool on the platform you want, it almost always comes out cheaper (20–30% typical). Make sure it brings two batteries.
What can I buy cheap without risk?
Tape measure, speed square, caulk gun, and basic bits can be budget picks. Put the good money into the drill, saw, and multi-tool.
All cordless, or some corded?
All cordless 20V/18V performs more than enough. The only exception I keep corded is the big shop vac: more continuous suction and one less battery to charge.
Final verdict
Start with the 20V cordless drill in kit form with two batteries: it's the purchase you'll use most. Add the circular saw and the multi-tool from the same platform as bare tools to save, and complete with the rest of the list. For under $500 you have a shop capable of remodeling any room.