According to IBISWorld the desire to renovate our homes is as strong as ever. The business information analysts report Australians spent an average $6150 on renovation and maintenance around the home in the past year. Leading forecasters predict the market will continue to grow, with DIY and home renovation taking up a majority of spending in the building category this year.
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This rise in DIY suggests Australians continue to get hands-on around the home, said Trojan Tool spokesman Darren Simpson.
“More and more home-owners are embarking on low budget investment on their properties to add value and appeal,” Simpson said. He said the reno boom was driving an increase in tool sales as homeowners were tackling on some basic renovations themselves.
“With the right tools for the right job, home-owners can tackle those small scale renovations and basic repairs rather than calling in the professionals, which can be costly and time consuming.
“With the right tools, most basic repair jobs such as repairing fences or replacing shelves can be tackled by DIYers in conjunction with preparation and research.” However, Simpsons urges DIYers to leave plumbing and electrical work to the experts.
“Jobs involving electrical outlets should be left to the experts and if you’re making modifications to wall structures or plumbing fixtures its best to call in a professional," Simpson said.
Top 10 ‘must have’ tools for the home:
1. Hacksaw: can be used for cutting steel, aluminium, copper, brass and any other material required for quick cut-off.
2. Claw hammer: handy to hammer a nail into the wall to hang a picture, tear off old tiles or remove nails from decking before resanding and sealing.
3. Tape measure: ensures you get accurate measurements when it comes to working out furniture placement or building a new bookcase.
4. Screwdrivers: necessary for assembling most projects and to keep things in place.
5. Multi-functional tool: a handy option for the DIYer for myriad jobs, including marking cut lines, trimming plastic or wood materials, etc
6. Adjustable wrench: applies torque to turn objects, such as tightening the bolts in furniture or fixing a tap, loosen bolts, nuts and other fasteners.
7. Combination pliers: can be used for cropping, twisting, gripping wire, bending rods, cutting or physical compression.
8. Utility knife: is ideal for precision cutting of the most flexible to the most resistant materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, linoleum, carpet or leather.
9. Allen keys: are suitable for everything from assembling furniture, changing tool accessory bits to making repairs.
10. Wrecking bar: use to pry boards apart or to remove nails, a wrecking bar is also good for general demolition work where blunt force is required.