In this guide
I bought a surprising number of tools during this project. Some paid for themselves many times over; one I sold for nearly what I paid. Here’s what I used in each phase and what I’d recommend buying, renting or borrowing.
Heavy equipment
- Mini excavator (track hoe): I bought a tired used one at a heavy-equipment auction. It dug the trench, moved fill, lifted walls with straps, and I sold it at the end for nearly what I paid. For a short, rock-free job, rent instead.
- Old riding mower with a dump trailer: Slow, but it moved a lot of dirt around my yard for almost nothing.
Foundation tools
- Laser level: An inexpensive rotary or line laser was the only way I could level a trench and a block footer. Worth every penny.
- Rotary hammer (SDS): A cheap hammer drill couldn’t handle drilling 144 blocks. A real Milwaukee rotary hammer with a ¾-inch bit, run on its slowest speed, did.
- Air chisel: With the compressor I already had, it broke a surprising amount of granite.
- Electric demolition hammer (rental): For rock the chisel couldn’t handle. It ran on a normal household circuit.
- Construction crayons, string line, stakes and a long tape.
Framing tools
- Framing nailer and compressor: Essential for sheathing and framing at the scale of a garage.
- Circular saw (and ideally a miter saw) for cutting plates, headers and blocking.
- Screw gun and drywall screws for temporary bracing you’ll remove later.
- Plumb bob or long level, speed square, chalk line, grease pencil.
Roof and finishing
- Harness and roof anchor for any roof work.
- Ladders and scaffolding — rent scaffolding for siding and fascia.
- Garden pump sprayer — I used one to mist the new concrete as it cured.
Buy, rent or borrow?
| Tool | My advice |
|---|---|
| Laser level | Buy |
| Framing nailer | Buy (you’ll use it for years) |
| Rotary hammer | Buy if drilling lots of block; otherwise rent |
| Mini excavator | Rent for short jobs; buy used and resell for long ones |
| Demolition hammer | Rent |
| Scaffolding | Rent |
| Concrete mixer | Skip it — order ready-mix |
Safety gear is a tool, too
Safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, a respirator for dust, steel-toed boots and a hard hat around lifting operations. Buy good ones — you’ll actually wear them.
Key Takeaways
- A laser level and a real rotary hammer made my foundation possible.
- Used heavy equipment can be resold at the end of a long project.
- Rent the expensive specialty tools you’ll only use for a few days.
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