You might keep these basic tools in a hall closet, a kitchen drawer, or in a handy tool box or plastic box on a shelf in the entry or mudroom.

It doesn’t really matter where you keep them, as long as they’re easy to get at for quick home repairs. You’ll save lots of inconvenient trips out to the garage or down to the basement.

Your in-home basic tool kit should include these basic do-it-yourself items.

Tape Measure
You may not think you need one, but a 25-foot measuring tape will work for most jobs. Whether you measure for a tablecloth or window treatment or a whole room for new flooring, choose one large enough to easily measure your New Jersey home’s spaces. A second smaller tape of 6 to 12 feet can be put in a pocket or purse for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.

Screwdrivers
Two basic screwdrivers are a necessity. Choose both a good quality flat head screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver in a medium size. A set of tiny screwdrivers will come in handy when you need to tighten a pair of eyeglasses or fix audio or computer equipment.

Pliers
One pliers will not do. Get a small assortment in various sizes and shapes. You’ll use a needle-nose pliers most frequently, but have a heavy grooved pliers for removing nails or large staples. Wire cutting pliers are good for wiring and craft jobs.

Level
You get what you pay for here. It’s important to get an accurate level for accurate positioning. A good sturdy level will last a lifetime. (These are also called “torpedo levels” due to shapes of the tapered ends.) A level is a must for straightening up pictures, drilling holes in a level line, checking tabletop alignment, or mounting towel bars perfectly.

Hammer
Whether you’re hanging pictures or putting shelf supports up, a medium weight hammer will cover most New Jersey household jobs. Consider other sizes if you’ll be doing either delicate projects or construction.

Vice Grip
This tool resembles a pliers, but has a locking mechanism that grips and holds things tightly. Use it to grip a screw you want to remove or use two to twist sticky things apart. They provide a slip-free hold when you need it.

Assortment of Nails and Screws
You might find prepackaged sets of basic sizes at your New Jersey home center or get a small divided box and put together a custom assortment that will come in handy when you hang pictures or make minor repairs.

Wire Cutters
Save your scissors with this essential tool. A wire cutter makes it easy to snip wire for crafts, electrical repairs, and other household projects.

Pencils
You’ll probably need to mark a drill hole or record a measurement. Have pencils handy and write on post it notes or bits of blue painter’s tape if you don’t want to write on the wall.

Blue Painter’s Tape
Even professional painters use this tape to mask off areas they don’t want to paint. It’s available in several widths and looks like plain masking tape. But this special tape is blue and can be removed from most surfaces without damage. You can use it for other household jobs besides painting. Mark stud locations with a small square when hanging a picture or installing molding. Tape off the edges of a door frame when painting a wall, or tape down runners of heavy kraft paper to protect floors from dirt and scratches when moving.

Article Source:  http://interiordec.about.com/od/careandrepair/a/org_toolkits.htm

If you’re looking for a professional New Jersey handyman, then give us a call today at 800-734-3737 or complete our request for a design and budget consultation.

In case you also have a small kitchen and face such problems daily, there are certain useful steps that can help you overcome space constraint. Foremost, you can make use of various designing tips to create an illusion of space. An easy way of achieving this is through proper lighting, such as, take measures to maximize any natural light by keeping the blinds up and curtains back. In case you wish to add more lights, but do not want to take up any valuable space, you can install lights under the cabinet. Apart from this, you can also use light colored walls, curtains, blinds and cabinets, to make the room look more open.

You must also ensure maximum use of available space in a proper manner. Foremost, you should take a look around your kitchen and sort out things as per the frequency of their use. Things that you do not use frequently like juicer or food processing machine, can be removed from the kitchen and stored somewhere else, such as the store room or garage. The next thing that you need to focus upon is the arrangement of things, such as you should keep the cooking utensils and oven mits near the stove. You must keep all the necessary and most used items in an easily accessible place, so that one does not collide with other things or people.

You always have the option of arranging various kitchen items in cabinets that can easily accommodate numerous things. However, if the cabinet is not large enough to solve the space problem, you can install lazy susans and dividing trays in these cabinets. This is also an effective solution in case one is not able to maintain different cabinets for specific group of items. Incorporating ample storage facility is probably the most effective and easiest way of overcoming space problem in small kitchens. Besides, you can even opt for hang up pots and pans that empties a lot of space in the cabinets.

Apart from this, you can also have deeper counters as these not only increase work space, but can also accommodate more items. Additionally, to minimize the use of space, you can select drop table, small sized round table or built-in counter along the wall. It is always advisable to install a large kitchen sink, as it is very convenient and suitable for washing pots and pans.

With the advancement in technology, now you have access to various compact and space saving appliances. Numerous brands are designing products for small kitchens, such as microwaves that can be hung underneath cabinets. You also have the option of choosing refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep.

Making use of these simple measures can help you overcome the problem associated with small kitchens.

1. Consolidated Activity.   A major kitchen remodeling trend is coordinating multiple functions into the kitchen area.  Laundry rooms, dining rooms, and home office space are increasingly being absorbed into the kitchen/great room realm.  Space-saving solutions include banquette seating, hideaway laundry appliances and small, built-in workspaces with kitchen-side desks.
2. Universal Design.  The kitchen design should be accessible to everyone, older homeowners, kids, tall or short adults, and individuals with limited mobility.  This means easy to reach appliances and kitchen work surfaces and storage areas of varying heights.  The microwave should be put in an easily accessible position for kids rather than the microwave/hood combo configuration.
3. Focused Luxury.  Pick and choose luxuries strategically; every kitchen remodeling project should have at least one special design feature without breaking the bank such as eye-catching backsplashes, plate racks, or glass cabinet doors.
4. Maximize space.  With high home prices per foot in New Jersey, especially in Red Bank, Rumson, West Long Branch and other prime Northern Jersey Shore areas , New Jersey kitchen remodeling contractors uniformly agree that  kitchens have to work smarter and harder to get the most functionality out of its square footage.  Volume space should be maximized with skinny, vertical pantries, pull-out cabinets, and wine cubbies that fill odd cavities.  Horizontal lines, lighter finishes, and mirrored backsplashes help “grow the space.”
5. Think Green.  Have a professional New Jersey contractor perform a home energy audit.  You will be amazed at the efficiencies from installing Energy Star appliances and Water Sense-rated plumbing fittings.  Countertops from recycled materials and other eco-friendly products in their raw state tend to cost less and do not produce off-gassing (evaporation of volatile chemicals found in new products).
6. Traditional Style.  Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hardwood floors are tried and true favorites.
7. Good Lighting.  Layered lighting for practical usage and visual effect including a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting.  Decorative light fixtures also supplement a room’s overall brightness and help carry forth a theme.
8. Attention to Detail.  In a smaller kitchen, attention to detail is more important.  Smaller spaces are less forgiving.  Refrigerators and other appliances should run flush with cabinet faces to maintain clean lines.  Outlets and endings are also important in a small space.  Concealing and pop-up outlets should be considered to not interrupt the kitchen patterns.

The new rule from the EPA (40 CFR Part 745) states that any contractor/renovator who disturbs more than six (6) square feet of painted surface must follow lead safe practices. These include activities like sanding, cutting drywall, demolition, etc. Under the new rule, a contractor will need to become a certified renovator, taking an training course from an accredited training provider. Once they are certified, they will need to only work for a certified firm, whether their own company, a property management firm, or another contracting company.

They will also need to keep the necessary records:

• Copy of the Certified Firm and Certified Renovator(s) certifications
• Non certified worker training documentation
• Designation of Certified Renovator to the job
• Information on and results of the use of EPA-recognized test kits provided by a Certified Renovator who acted as a representative on the Certified Firm at the job site and who conducted testing for the presence of lead-based paint on surfaces to be affected by the renovation
• Lead based paint inspection reports provided by a Certified Lead Inspector or Certified Lead Risk Assessor, if applicable
• Proof of owner/occupant, when they qualify to, and decide to, opt-out of lead safe work practice requirements
• Any other signed and dated documents form the owner(s) and/or residents regarding conduct of the renovation and requirements in the EPA RRP Rule
• All reports required from the Certified Firm and Certified Renovator by the EPA RRP Rule

Contact Mark of Excellence Remodeling, your NJ remodeler for your next lead based paint renovation.

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