My girlfriend and I just bought a new home. Though its structure hasn’t a problem that I or the inspector could see, and all the major appliances seem to work just fine, there’s a lot of cosmetic stuff that eventually I’d like to fix. But I am not at all handy. So I’ve a few questions that I should be delighted for someone here to answer.
Are there any books whose specific purpose is to teach home maintenance and basic repair to the uninitiated? I should like to do such things as switching out faucets, light fixtures/chandeliers/ceiling fans, doorknobs, mirrors. Nothing fancy. I’d also like to know how properly to maintain our home and treat it with some respect, and to know who to call when we need to have such and such done.
For the maybe distant future – does anyone know about how much 1100 sq ft of decent carpet would cost to purchase and have installed? What about siding for an 1800 sq ft split-level? I don’t need anywhere near exact estimates; a very broad range would do, just so I can know what ball park I’d be playing in.
What tools and equipment should I have around? Can anyone recommend a set?
Go to Home Depot (Or Lowes, if that’s the one by you). They have books that explain how to do everything from faucets to cement sidewalks to cabinets to floors. The people at the store will even show you how to use the tools you buy. It’s really kind of cool.
We have a 1000 sq. ft. house and carpeted roughly half of it for under a grand. But it was some time ago.
We have a home maintenance book from Reader’s Digest that gives good basic info on various household repairs/maintenance/projects. Basic plumbing from installing new pipes, patching leaks, unclogging drains, as well as explanations of how your house’s plumbing works.
Same for wiring, carpentry, masonry, etc.
I don’t know about basic tool sets. I’d just suggest you buy them as you need them. Buy good quality - they will never wear out.
Among the tools you DEFINITELY will need:
claw hammer
an assortment of screwdrivers, both flat and phillips head
a power drill (probably cordless)
an assortment of pliers - ratchet, channel locks, wire cutters
a level
a tape measure
saw(s) - hacksaw (for metal), power jigsaw
utility knife
wrenches - crescent wrench, probably some open box wrenches, and eventually a socket set.
A ladder or two, depending on your needs - step ladder for inside, extension ladder for out.
And don’t forget the duct tape.
Get yourself a nice toolbox/shelving to hold them. You can also consider hanging some pegboard for some of the more frequently used ones.
I recommend a stud finder – nothing annoys me more than putting a nail or a screw in the wall, only to find there’s nothing behind the drywall to support it. :mad:
My wife always points this at me and goes “beep beep beep”.
You might also pick up an assortment of nails, screws, bolts, etc. while you’re at the store. Nothing worse that having to drive 5 miles at 9:30 to buy a 10 cent item.