Congratulations!

Yes, you’ll definitely need a good quality ladder and:

– Set of screwdrivers. My Stanleys are over 20 years old

– Separate flathead for kitchen use only (instead of using your forks to open stuff)

– Fire extinguisher (leave one in kitchen)

– All-purpose or silicone caulk and caulk gun. (In case of emergency and if your house is old).

– Scissors

– First Aid Kit (you can make your own, I did)

– Multi-tool or Utility knife (I love my SOG)

– Flashlight (combination of battery-powered, rechargeable, heck even a tealight will do). Ideally, some form of light for each room in the house if you lose power (nothing expensive).

– Shovel and Salt before it snows (If you have pets, get the [blue] pet-friendly salt). Always buy it before it snows. Keep it in the house the night before it snows so you can dig yourself out.

– If your windows are old, read up on removable window film, magnetic window film (3M makes them also)

– 409 (they clean almost everything)

– phone number of a good electrician and plumber (my GC is awesome but she’s stateside only)

– Plunger. Don’t buy the orangey-plastic snake - they don’t work.

– I have DeWalt (and a bunch of batteries) but prefer my Makita. Black & Decker is a toy, don’t do it. Milwaukee sucks. If you’re not using power tools now, don’t buy them or wait until they go on sale.

– Surge protectors (the higher/more joules, the better). You definitely need those.

– WD-40

Canada has some very good quality wind turbines (for home use, not the gigantic ones) that you might want to consider; I hear your solar panels are pretty good, too.

Buy what you can afford; check out thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets for some tools.

Most of all, know your limitations. My house is old and I knew what I could do myself, what I would be willing to do and the rest I need for someone else to do.

Every year you’ll have more questions and we will be here for you… with answers you may or may not like.

Good luck and Enjoy!