You just bought your first home. Congratulations! Your real estate agent and everyone else who just made money off the transaction can’t thank you enough.
So now what?
Common sense would dictate a good scrubbing and maybe even a quick hello to the neighbors, but soon you’re going to need tools and housewares. Lots of them.
Some — like scissors or a broom — are useful no matter where you live. But if you’ve just broken through the economic (and paperwork) barrier of getting out of your apartment or parents’ basement, you’ll want to pay attention to this list.
It contains possibly the least romantic and nostalgic items someone could buy you as housewarming gifts. But they’re useful. Forget the pizza and bottle of wine. Those are nice, but these will keep your house from falling apart, , when Mom and the landlord are nowhere to be found.
You may already own a few of these, but if you can afford to upgrade to a condo or freestanding structure, you’re likely wanting both a fresh start and a fresh look.
1. OUR APOLOGIES TO THE TREES
During the biggest transitions in life — graduations, weddings, births — we often forget about the little things, like toilet paper and clean towels. And only crazy people enjoy doing the dishes after emptying the back of a truck of all their earthly possessions. So stock up on paper towels, toilet paper, note-jotting paper, paper plates and cups for those first few days and weeks. They’re light, easy to store and — best of all — cheap and (in most cases) recyclable.
2. UP, UP WE GO NOW
Quicker than you can say, “Hey, my first bill!” you’ll be thinking, “Wow, that’s literally out of my reach.” Ladders come in all shapes and sizes, so whether it’s corner cobwebs or clogged gutters, you’ll want a small, sturdy step ladder for the interior and a taller one for the yard. Unless you’re old-school and require everything to be hand-carved, a durable, all-weather material like fiberglass or aluminum works best. Small step ladders range from $20 to $60 while longer outdoor ones can cost $100 to $500, depending on the use.
3. TURN ME ON
Big-box home-improvement stores love to run TV commercials showing grown men salivating over new sets of power tools, but there’s a good reason: A reliable and ergonomic electric tool is a joy to use — for either gender. From quick fix-it jobs to more involved home construction projects, you can’t afford to be without a power drill ($50-$140) and, eventually, a variable-speed reciprocating saw ($40-$150). Be sure to grab the portable cordless models with rechargeable, interchangeable battery packs.
4. THE OLD FAITHFULS
Don’t forget about the ancient workhorses of the tool world: Screwdrivers, handsaws, pliers, wrenches, steel tape measures, hammers and levels are indispensable multi-use items for new homeowners. In fact, if you’re an Ikea buff, all it usually takes is a screwdriver with multiple heads (and an hour of sweat) to put together a piece or two of pre-fab furniture. ($6-$40)
5. LET THERE BE LIGHT
As sure as you’re going to love your new home, you’re going to hate it when the electricity goes out. And it will. Find a central and easy-to-access spot to store candles and flashlights, and if you’re lucky enough to go a year without losing power, be sure to replenish the matches and batteries that keep them going. You may even want to grab a durable work light, designed for workshops and construction environments, because they’re sturdy and can clamp onto corners and edges ($9-$90).
6. LAWN ALMIGHTY
Even in brutally hot and dry temperatures, grass and plants still grow. You can make some decisions about your lawnmower based on the size of your yard and your environmental concerns (bagger or mulcher? Electric, gas or reel? Push or self-propelled?). And you’ll want some good pruners on hand. They can range from hand-sized clippers to double-fisted hedge shears — to say nothing of the tools you may need for your garden and flowerbeds. While you’re at it, grab a rake for the warm months ($6-$20) and a snow shovel ($7-$20) for the winter.
7. FORM AND FUNCTION
Some new and flipped houses come close-to-fully furnished, but it’s important to remember you might need some of the most basic items to make a house feel homey. Scope out the structure to make sure you’ve got all the functional furnishings, such as blinds (or curtains), lights, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Then add your own indoor and outdoor doormats and other small items as needed.
8. SUCK IT UP
Wet/dry vacuum cleaners (or Shop-Vacs) are improbably strong machines, and there’s an excellent chance you’ll need to clean up some sawdust, broken glass or metal shavings shortly after moving into your new home. They run about $40-$160 for consumer models (higher for industrial-strength ones) and typically come with a variety of attachments for different lengths and uses.
9.
STICKING TOGETHER
It’s a wonder we even still call it “duct tape,” given that this gray, glossy adhesive roll has been used in everything from “MacGyver” episodes to the U.S. space program (yes — during missions). In addition to duct tape, you’ll want to keep some masking tape, painter’s tape and cellophane (or Scotch) tape around. They’re usually a temporary fix for a larger problem, but you’ll be glad you have them.
10. THE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
Gift cards often seem like the province of unimaginative friends and relatives, but they’re a convenient blessing. Only after you’ve moved into your new home can you identify exactly which tools and furnishings you need, and gift cards give you the freedom to address those needs perfectly. Ikea and Crate & Barrel cards can help fill your house, but cards from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and others will keep your house worth filling.
John Wenzel: jwenzel@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/ johntwenzel
