What are some things for a new home owner to consider getting early on?
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Get cheap tools. Buy everything at harbor freight. Don't splurge on anything that's not a safety hazard (get a quality ladder, but buy cheap screwdrivers)
If the tool breaks, buy a quality one to replace it.
Project Farm is your friend to find the cheap option, and the quality option.
Edit: Substitute Princess Auto for Harbor Freight, as you're in Canada.
My 2 cents, get a good drill and good screwdriver set, cheap out on everything else until you replace it.
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Makita gang rise up
My Makita drill is honestly baller. Lightweight and easy to handle, but still powerful enough for almost anything. And it has a light! That said, I still have a big honking Dewalt 18v(?) with the heavy ass batteries that is still going strong after 20 years (even the heavy ass batteries!), that I break out for the really heavy duty stuff. (Or when I can’t find my little Makita. Which is now).
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- a touchless live-wire tester
This right here. Everybody should have one of these - not just homeowners, everybody. They're cheap and easy to use.
Circuit breakers can fail shorted. Miswiring happens. Just because the switch is off doesn't mean the wire is dead.
You may avoid electrocuting yourself or someone else, or starting a fire. It could literally save your life.
Can you recommend one? I have a non-touchless volt meter that I can’t figure out for the life of me.
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This is good stuff. For the cameras, Euphys generally have micro SD card slots, can store locally, and are Apple Home compatible and can store data in iCloud. (I realize Apple stuff is not every lemming’s cup of tea, but I daresay iCloud is more secure thatn Euphy’s servers.)
So I personally will forever be on the side of “fuck eufy and I hope they fail miserably” for several reasons:
they initial sold their cameras with the guarantee of no cloud integration. When users found that even if you had it set to be local only it still uploaded thumbnails of every persons face with a “name” attached to an aws server and that portions of camera streams could be viewed remotely without encryption, suggesting that all of this data was being transmitted without encryption. When called out on this eufy doubled down and said it was incorrect. When proven wrong they offered 0 recourse for pissed off customers who purchased it specifically because of their promises that it was “no cloud integration”, their only response was to silently remove references to “no cloud integration” and “military grade encryption” from their website and marketing materials.
This led to a 450,000 dollar settlement earlier this year based on an investigation from the NYAG that found “eufy’s Internet-connected security cameras, video doorbells and smart locks did not fully encrypt video data in transit, despite company assurances that consumer footage would remain private and secure.”
Scumbag company. Fuck eufy.
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
wrote last edited by [email protected]Buy good quality air filters (highest particle rating). Just the dust control alone will make a huge difference, especially in an older home.
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One good power drill
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One good set of driving bits
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One good set of drill bits
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Duct tape
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Lubricating oil (wd40 or a 3in1 style oil)
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Hammer
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Drywall anchors for having heavier items
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Kit of random screws and nails
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Flashlight
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Fire extinguisher
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Old towels (for WHEN you spring a leak)
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Measuring tape
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Channel lock wrench (the kind that can be various sizes)
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Wrench/socket set
This will cover a LOT of issues. Outside the drill/bits feel free to cheap out on tools. When they break, then replace with better quality
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Solar panels and home battery 100%, but you have to do it before Dec 31 2025 because the tax credit is going away due to the GOP and Trump
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Whatever you decide to do, do NOT skimp by buying cheap tools. Buy the best quality tools you can afford.
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So I personally will forever be on the side of “fuck eufy and I hope they fail miserably” for several reasons:
they initial sold their cameras with the guarantee of no cloud integration. When users found that even if you had it set to be local only it still uploaded thumbnails of every persons face with a “name” attached to an aws server and that portions of camera streams could be viewed remotely without encryption, suggesting that all of this data was being transmitted without encryption. When called out on this eufy doubled down and said it was incorrect. When proven wrong they offered 0 recourse for pissed off customers who purchased it specifically because of their promises that it was “no cloud integration”, their only response was to silently remove references to “no cloud integration” and “military grade encryption” from their website and marketing materials.
This led to a 450,000 dollar settlement earlier this year based on an investigation from the NYAG that found “eufy’s Internet-connected security cameras, video doorbells and smart locks did not fully encrypt video data in transit, despite company assurances that consumer footage would remain private and secure.”
Scumbag company. Fuck eufy.
Well. I only have 1 camera so far, so I’m not exactly heavily invested. Is there a brand you like?
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
wrote last edited by [email protected]I am also a new home owner. Would anyone be interested in a community for swapping tips, answering each other’s questions, ranting about our favorite power tool brands, etc.?
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Tools and knowhow to repair your heating.
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Really depends on your home, but a few that I had...
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If you have wood floors, a bulk pack of sticky felt pads for furniture you buy to not scratch them up
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Robot vacuum (or vac/mop)
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Basic power tools
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Electric lawn mower/weed whacker that uses the SAME BATTERIES as your power tools
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if you're a nerd and wanna do "smart home" stuff, don't buy smart lights, buy smart switches
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a touchless live-wire tester
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A label maker
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Big pack of furnace filters
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an accordion folder thingy for the billions of documents you'll wanna keep (receipts/user manuals for appliances), property tax assessments, etc
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Bulk pack of lightbulbs with the same colour temperature (it looks idiotic if all your lights are different hues)
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nail-in picture frame hangers, wall anchors (they're YOUR walls now!)
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keycode deadbolt
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most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
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water sensors (smart if possible), put under your hot water tank and dishwasher
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double check your laundry room drain actually has a slope to it, and isn't the damn high point in the room
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if you're not living with a romantic partner... I'd suggest not blowing your budget decorating... Let them have the space to feel like they can make the space thiers as well, and accept that means some of your decorations are going to be retired
most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
are you fucking kidding me. the thousands of times i have thought about why this didn't exist, fantasizing what changes would be required in the world economy to get rid of those awful noises. you are telling me it does exists?!
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Solar panels and home battery 100%, but you have to do it before Dec 31 2025 because the tax credit is going away due to the GOP and Trump
I don't know that ever new home owner has that kind of money just sitting around
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Weatherproofing to whatever degree needed. I check around exterior doors and windows, replace seals and sweeps, and put the cling wrap on windows if needed before it gets really cold.
Change all locks so prior occupants can't have access.
Snow scoop and salt since you mention the Canadian winter.
Door viewer for the front door. I am currently in a rental with a metal door I can't drill through and I HATE not being able to see who's at the door.
I skipped cameras and just went with door/window alarms. Easy to setup. Less expensive to buy and maintain. Also easy to move and install elsewhere once I find a place that works better. My threat model for home invasion is also quite low.
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I don't know that ever new home owner has that kind of money just sitting around
True, but you can take out a HELOC loan or other if needed. The tax credit that GOP killed and ends Dec 31 is 30%!!!! Everyone should be getting as much solar as they can afford.
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Really depends on your home, but a few that I had...
-
If you have wood floors, a bulk pack of sticky felt pads for furniture you buy to not scratch them up
-
Robot vacuum (or vac/mop)
-
Basic power tools
-
Electric lawn mower/weed whacker that uses the SAME BATTERIES as your power tools
-
if you're a nerd and wanna do "smart home" stuff, don't buy smart lights, buy smart switches
-
a touchless live-wire tester
-
A label maker
-
Big pack of furnace filters
-
an accordion folder thingy for the billions of documents you'll wanna keep (receipts/user manuals for appliances), property tax assessments, etc
-
Bulk pack of lightbulbs with the same colour temperature (it looks idiotic if all your lights are different hues)
-
nail-in picture frame hangers, wall anchors (they're YOUR walls now!)
-
keycode deadbolt
-
most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
-
water sensors (smart if possible), put under your hot water tank and dishwasher
-
double check your laundry room drain actually has a slope to it, and isn't the damn high point in the room
-
if you're not living with a romantic partner... I'd suggest not blowing your budget decorating... Let them have the space to feel like they can make the space thiers as well, and accept that means some of your decorations are going to be retired
100% on the water sensors! Gas sensor and carbon monoxide sensor too! I have a gas stove and people are always leaning against it and turning the gas knobs on.
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Can you recommend one? I have a non-touchless volt meter that I can’t figure out for the life of me.
Klein tools are reliable: https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/electrical-testers/non-contact-voltage-tester-pen-50-1000v-ac
But really any similar pen-style non-contact voltage tester that you can find at your local hardware store should work just as well. They're simple devices, and for this function probably the simpler the better. Should be in the US$10-20 range, don't overspend for fancy features. Nothing wrong with a store-brand tool in this case. I'd be concerned if it were $5 or less, might be junk.
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Know how old your roof is and what the lifespan is.
Our house had a 20 year old roof with a 20 year lifespan. First thing we did was replace it with a 50 year roof.
When the mortgage is paid, the roof will still have 20 years left on it.
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If you’re techy at all, get an iFixit toolkit for small or proprietary screw heads. What a lifesaver that’s been; even for things like hex heads in furniture.
Always have a stocked liquor cabinet. Doesn’t matter if you drink or not - if you wanna be an accommodating host, make sure you at least have something to offer. You’ll feel like a bad host if you don’t at least offer.
I use my Neat steamer at least once a season for deep cleaning all over the house.
Air filters are great and seriously help keep the air clean and less stale, especially if you have pets. Most guests have no idea I have a cat until I show her off.
A good cooler is always useful. You don’t need to splurge for a yeti, but from having people in the yard, to keeping canned drinks cold for a party, a good cooler that can hold ice and drinks is invaluable for an event you’re hosting.
Always have a stocked liquor cabinet. Doesn’t matter if you drink or not - if you wanna be an accommodating host, make sure you at least have something to offer. You’ll feel like a bad host if you don’t at least offer.
As someone who doesn't drink, I couldn't give two shits if you come to my home and want an alcoholic beverage. If they feel like I'm a bad host because they came to the home of someone that doesn't drink and I don't have alcohol to offer, then suddenly they're the person that I'm the reevaluating if they need to be in my life.
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
wrote last edited by [email protected]Congratulations!
Yes, you’ll definitely need a good quality ladder and:
– Set of screwdrivers. My Stanleys are over 20 years old
– Separate flathead for kitchen use only (instead of using your forks to open stuff)
– Fire extinguisher (leave one in kitchen)
– All-purpose or silicone caulk and caulk gun. (In case of emergency and if your house is old).
– Scissors
– First Aid Kit (you can make your own, I did)
– Multi-tool or Utility knife (I love my SOG)
– Flashlight (combination of battery-powered, rechargeable, heck even a tealight will do). Ideally, some form of light for each room in the house if you lose power (nothing expensive).
– Shovel and Salt before it snows
(If you have pets, get the [blue] pet-friendly salt). Always buy it before it snows. Keep it in the house the night before it snows so you can dig yourself out.– If your windows are old, read up on removable window film, magnetic window film (3M makes them also)
– 409 (they clean almost everything)
– phone number of a good electrician and plumber (my GC is awesome but she’s stateside only)
– Plunger. Don’t buy the orangey-plastic snake - they don’t work.
– I have DeWalt (and a bunch of batteries) but prefer my Makita. Black & Decker is a toy, don’t do it. Milwaukee sucks. If you’re not using power tools now, don’t buy them or wait until they go on sale.
– Surge protectors (the higher/more joules, the better). You definitely need those.
– WD-40
Canada has some very good quality wind turbines (for home use, not the gigantic ones) that you might want to consider; I hear your solar panels are pretty good, too.
Buy what you can afford; check out thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets for some tools.
Most of all, know your limitations. My house is old and I knew what I could do myself, what I would be willing to do and the rest I need for someone else to do.
Every year you’ll have more questions and we will be here for you… with answers you may or may not like.
Good luck and Enjoy!
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Get a notebook, paper version. Store in a handy place. Note everything important about the new home, with dates. Like "Read the electricity meter, xxxKWh, Date" or "Changed batteries on smoke alarms, Date", or "Bought new washing machine type xxx, serial number yyy, Date".
