Borrowing Tools or Buying Your Own ? Small House Building

Filed under: 2012 , Brennan |

By Eric Brennan

via flickr

Without the right tools for the job, you may quickly find that your simple home improvement project is not so simple after all. Some home improvement and remodeling projects require specialty tools, making it impossible to complete the project without the right equipment. For instance, finishing a concrete slab correctly requires a bull float ? a specialty tool used to smooth hardening concrete. Without it, you might as well be pouring concrete on the moon. But the problem with using specialty tools for your small home construction or renovation projects is that they can cost big bucks to buy and you?ll probably only need them once. That?s where borrowing tools can come in handy versus buying your own.

Borrowing Tools

Borrowing tools from some people is akin to pulling teeth ? it?s a painful process that is avoided at all costs. Even if they do let you borrow their tools willingly, getting a specialty tool like an inside corner drywall finishing knife might be next to impossible when you?re looking to borrow one from your neighbor. So where do you get the tools you need for your one time construction project?

• Tool Rental Suppliers- There is probably at least one or two of these companies within driving distance to your home. Many tool supply companies like SunBelt Rentals, RSC Equipment Rental and even Home Depot rent tools to the general public for a fee. Be sure to reserve any tools in advance as they may already be rented out when you arrive at the store.
• Tool Lending Libraries- A tool lending library are often community organizations that lend tools (sometimes free of charge) to area residents. Some tool lending libraries only lend tools for community projects or to non-profit building projects so be sure to check out the details first. Use this list of tool lending libraries by state to help you find a tool lending library nearest your area.
• Share Swapping- There are a number of online and local organizations that offer people a chance to buy, sell, trade, borrow and swap their tools with other people in their area. One such organization is BorrowTools.com. Here you can sign up to trade, borrow or rent tools from locals in your area.

Buying Tools

Sometimes, it can be tough to decide whether or not it?s best to borrow or buy the tools you need. Before you plan on buying tools for your building project, there are a few considerations that you should take note of prior to the purchase:

• The $100/1 Year Rule- When purchasing any tools, it?s a good idea to follow the $100/1 year rule of thumb. If the tool you need will cost you more than $100 and you only plan on using it once in a year, then it?s best to rent or borrow it.
• Warranties- One of the biggest problems with motorized equipment like chainsaws and specialty tools like wet tile saws is that they are expensive to buy, maintain and repair. Always be sure to buy an extended warranty on any motorized or specialty tools with heavy moving parts to ensure you?re not out of the big bucks when your new miter saw goes on the fritz.
• Research- One of the biggest tool buying mistakes is impulse buying. Just because that circular saw has a laser on it, doesn?t make it better than a conventional circular saw. Visit several retailers for comparative pricing and go online to check any tool reviews. A good online resource is the Consumer Reports website. Here you can find detailed and accurate information on just about any new tool you might need for your building project.
• Patience- More often than not, the tool you just bought at retail price will go on sale later on in the year. But postponing your home improvement project until the tools you need are on sale isn?t for everyone. Finding bargain tools at your a pawn shop, garage sale and even at church bazaars can all be great ways to get great deals on the tools you need without having to wait for the next big box retailers tools sale.

Tool Borrowing and
Buying Resources:

Wikipedia tool lending list

BorrowTools.com

Consumer Reports

Source: http://www.small-house-building.com/brennan/borrowing-tools-or-buying-your-own?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=borrowing-tools-or-buying-your-own

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