1. Cordless drill
   Reciprocating saw
2. Miter saw
   Air compressor

A drill is the ultimate tool for any handyman, and can be used on everything from swapping out an interior door to building a brand new deck. While classic corded drills get the job done, cordless versions prevent you from having to search for an outlet or stretch out an extension cord -- just make sure to bring a backup battery!

1. Wrench
   Utility knife
2. Screwdriver set
   Electrical tester

While screwdrivers and drills do pretty much the same job, there are plenty of tasks where you need the precision and control that only a non-power tool can provide. A smart handyman picks up a screwdriver set, which comes with a single shaft that accepts a variety of bits, allowing him or her to perform a wide variety of jobs with a single tool.

1. Level
   Tape measure
2. Stud finder
   Utility knife

A tape measure belongs in the utility belt of every handyman. Not only does it allow you to see whether something will fit within an area -- like measuring for a refrigerator before lugging it across the kitchen -- but it's a critical tool for measuring lumber, tile and other materials to find the desired length before making cuts.

1. Tin snips
   Caulk gun
2. Hammer
   Safety glasses

A good handyman takes the time to try different hammers to find one that feels right with each swing. This must-have tool is used to remove nails, demo walls or floors, and to install everything from roof shingles to new shelving.

1. Framing nailer
   Stud finder
2. Paintbrush
   Post hole digger

Not all jobs that handymen are hired to do will be inside the house. Some, such as building a fence, planting flower bulbs or installing a flagpole or sign, are outdoor jobs. All of these jobs are made easier with a post hole digger, which makes quick work of tough ground when it's time to dig a hole.

1. Ear plugs
   Knee pads
2. Safety glasses
   Gloves

Did you know that power tools operate at 110 decibels or more, and that noise levels over 85 decibels can damage your ears over time? Reduce your risk of long-term hearing loss by popping in a pair of ear plugs every time you hit the start button on your tools.

1. Lift
   Ladder
2. Cart
   Pipe jack

Unless you're the size of an NBA player, you'll need a ladder for many typical handyman jobs. Smaller ladders allow you to perform tasks like hanging cabinets or painting a ceiling, while larger one are necessary if you want to work on a roof or repair siding high up on the walls of a house.

1. Reciprocating saw
   Wrench
2. Circular saw
   Ratchet set

A circular saw serves as one of the most versatile cutting tools for any handyman. This power tool allows you to cut wooden studs when framing a house, build cabinets or furniture, construct a wooden fence, or trim lengths of siding when finishing the exterior of a home.

1. Plunger
   Level
2. Tape measure
   Vacuum

A handyman who leaves a pile of sawdust behind after he or she is done is a handyman who won't be getting much repeat business. Keep customers happy by cleaning up after yourself with a good shop vac. This tool also allows you to expand your services, such as cleaning up a flooded basement or helping to clean and restore a space after a minor fire.

1. Paint brush
   Reciprocating saw
2. Sander
   Mallet

Unlike circular or table saws, reciprocating saws use a push and pull motion. Small and compact, they are the perfect tool for chopping through a wooden or metal stud, demoing a door frame or cutting a PVC pipe. Corded versions are more powerful, while cordless models can be used anywhere, no electrical outlet required.

1. Paint brush
   Putty knife
2. Tool belt
   Grout float

A simple paint brush can be used on so many money-making projects. Even those without an artistic eye can use this tool to paint walls and ceilings, refinish furniture or cabinets, or varnish and seal wood decks, patios and furniture.

1. Post hole digger
   Tape measure
2. Stud finder
   Angle grinder

If you screw a shelf or a TV to the drywall, the weight of the object will eventually cause it to come crashing down. Instead, fasten it directly to the wooden studs that make up the wall structure. To find them, use a stud finder, which beeps when passed over the studs -- and no, it's definitely not a good idea to keep passing it over yourself to prove your studliness!

1. Level
   Screwdriver set
2. Reciprocating saw
   Plunger

Many calls to a handyman are simple requests to fix a clogged toilet, tub or sink. A plunger and a bit of drain cleaner is usually enough to get the job done and remove any blockages. When that doesn't work, you might also need to invest in a plumbing snake to really clear the drain.

1. Hammer
   Mallet
2. Level
   Circular saw

No matter how good your handyman skills are, if you don't take the time to make things straight and level, customers probably won't be too happy with your work. A level uses a simple air bubble to tell you if the countertops, switch plates, shelves or other items you're installing are square and straight or whether they need some adjusting.

1. Miter saw
   Reciprocating saw
2. Hammer drill
   Sander

A standard table saw can only make cuts at a 90-degree angle to the table, while a miter saw has a blade that can be tilted to make angled cuts. This makes a miter saw perfect for cutting things like crown molding and trim, which must be angled properly so the ends match up. This tool is also useful for making furniture and cabinets.

1. Utility knife
   Ratchet set
2. Miter saw
   Hammer

A utility knife is the multi-use tool of the handyman field. Not only is it ideal for cutting open boxes, but it's also perfect for scoring lines on tile or drywall before making a cut. This handy gadget can also be used to cut through old caulk or dried layers of paint when you're trying to do maintenance or repairs.

1. Wire stripper
   Wrench
2. Mallet
   Hammer

Wrenches belong in every handyman's toolbox. Designed to install or remove nuts and bolts, they can help you install a new toilet or sink, but are also useful for things like tightening deck fasteners or even installing certain appliances.

1. Safety harness
   Crowbar
2. Ear plugs
   Tool belt

When you're repairing a customer's damaged drywall, you can't exactly keep asking your client to hand you the next tool. Instead, keep tools close and at the ready with a tool belt. Strapped around the waist, this piece of equipment keeps you organized and allows you to work quickly and efficiently.

1. Stud finder
   Electrical tester
2. Level
   Tape measure

Many handymen are called in to fix basic electrical issues, like a receptacle or light switch that is no longer working. An electrical tester is a simple tool that can help you complete these types of projects by telling you if a circuit is live, helping you spot faults, and trace issues with wiring and equipment.

1. Ratchet set
   Nut driver
2. Drill
   Circular saw

A ratchet set includes a single ratcheting handle with a series of attachments to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts. This tool is ideal for working on anything that uses bolts instead of screws, which can include anything from plumbing fixtures to furniture.

1. Wire cutter
   Shovel
2. Sander
   Paint roller

A shovel is a must-have tool for handymen who plan to do any exterior work. This tool is perfect for carting anything from dirt to gravel to mulch. It's also ideal for digging a garden, installing a fence or patio, or even for installing footings or a foundation.

1. Loppers
   Mower
2. Wrench
   Pliers

Expand your handyman services by offering basic outdoor maintenance tasks. With a pair of quality loppers, you can prune shrubs and bushes, or remove hanging or dangerous tree branches before they fall.

1. Mallet
   Trowel
2. Reciprocating saw
   Angle grinder

An angle grinder is a small yet powerful tool. Equipped with a round blade, it can cut through metal studs or bolts, as well as many types of stone. When using this tool, you must wear your safety glasses to avoid serious eye damage from flying debris or broken blades.

1. Screwdriver set
   Drill
2. Wire cutters
   Allen wrenches

Most handymen find themselves performing basic electrical tasks, which means you need tools for handling wire. Wire cutters, or diagonal pliers, are perfect for trimming wire to the correct length. As a bonus, they are also useful for cutting nails or trimming wire mesh.

1. Mallet
   Grout float
2. Chalk line
   Caulk gun

A chalk line is a roll of string coated in powdered chalk. By stretching it across a floor or wall and snapping it so that it bounces back, you can create a perfect line to guide your work. This tool is ideal for ensuring proper installation of flooring, tile and wallpaper.

1. Tin snips
   Putty knife
2. Miter saw
   Framing nailer

Framing nailers make quick work of framing, using an air compressor for extra power and speed at shooting nails into wood. This tool is built for rough work, like framing a wall, and not for finish carpentry or flooring.

1. Paint roller
   Stud finder
2. Wrench
   Level

Painting a room is an easy and cheap way to completely change the way it looks. While you can certainly sit there with a paint brush and paint it stroke by stroke, it's much quicker to use a roller, which distributes paint more efficiently than a brush over large areas.

1. Ratchet set
   Allen wrench
2. Grout float
   Hammer

Many ready-to-assemble furniture items require the use of Allen wrenches when putting them together. Also known as hex keys because of their six-sided design, these tools are often needed for carpentry and basic handyman services.

1. Router
   Sander
2. Wire crimper
   Putty knife

The right sander can transform wood from rough and rugged to smooth and beautiful. It can remove layers of unwanted paint and stain, allowing you to refinish to a satiny sheen. You'll need hand sanders for small projects, like cabinets and furniture, plus floor sanders for refinishing hardwood flooring.

1. Utility knife
   Hammer
2. Trowel
   Reciprocating saw

If you want to expand your handyman services beyond basic carpentry, pick up a trowel or two. This pointed blade is used in masonry and concrete work, and can be used when building a brick retaining wall or smoothing out a freshly poured concrete patio or walkway.

1. Needle-nose pliers
   Wire crimpers
2. Caulk gun
   Drill

Sometimes you'll have to work in areas where your fingers just won't fit -- think deep within a wall cavity or within the confines of an electrical junction box. When this happens, needle-nose pliers are the perfect tool for grabbing onto tiny wires or fasteners so you can complete the job with ease.

1. Shovel
   Paintbrush
2. Angle grinder
   Crow bar

A crow or pry bar is a heavy metal bar that you'll find yourself using often as a handyman. It sometimes takes a tool with this kind of strength to pull out a stubborn nail, remove glued-on paneling or lift a decades-old linoleum floor.

1. Tin snips
   Needle-nose pliers
2. Trowel
   Hammer

You can't exactly cut sheet metal with a pair of scissors, so you'll need tin snips for many common handyman tasks. This tool is perfect for trimming new metal flashing when repairing a leaky chimney, or cutting sheet metal straps to install new HVAC ducts.

1. Grout float
   Caulk gun
2. Linesman pliers
   Sanders

A nice squeeze from a caulk gun can fix a surprising number of home improvement issues. It helps to seal around showers, sinks, bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures, but can also be used to eliminate air gaps around doors or windows. Offer this as one of your services, reminding your clients that sealing these cracks with caulk will help cut their energy bills.

1. Putty knife
   Sledgehammer
2. Paintbrush
   Drill

A putty knife is an ideal tool for applying joint compound onto freshly hung drywall. The knife is used to spread the compound thin so that it can be sanded after it dries, resulting in smooth, level joints that blend in with the surrounding surface.

1. Floor nailer
   Ladder
2. Post hole digger
   Drill

Hardwood floors can totally transform a home, so if you can install them properly, you're sure to find plenty of clients. To make this job go smoothly, invest in a flooring nailer. Used in combination with a mallet, it relies on air pressure to shoot nails at exactly the right angle and depth.

1. Grout float
   Tile nippers
2. Tin snips
   Utility knife

Grout is a liquid mix of sand, cement and water that dries into a cement-like material. It's used between tiles to fill the gaps and create smooth and attractive walls, floors and countertops. To distribute the grout and force it between the tiles, you'll need a tool known as a grout float.

1. Voltmeter
   Wire strippers
2. Hammer
   Sledgehammer

Metal wire comes wrapped in insulation, but this insulation must be removed before you can join two wires together. Sure, you could try to scrape it off with a utility knife and risk nicking the wire -- or your hand -- or you can simply cut the insulation off using a pair of wire strippers to accomplish the job safely and quickly.

1. Mallet
   Post hole digger
2. Vacuum
   Stud finder

A mallet looks like a hammer, but the head of the tool is much softer so it won't damage material as it strikes. It's often used with a flooring nailer when installing hardwood, but is also useful for nudging tiles or engineering floor planks into place.

1. Sander
   Angle grinder
2. Reciprocating saw
   Sledgehammer

Do you need to open up a wall or tear down some old cabinets? Were you hired to remove an ugly avocado green bathtub from the '70s? A sledgehammer will bust right through these and other objects, making quick work of demo or remolding work.