Since a majority of our projects are renovations, there are a few things we end up recommending to our clients over and over. This list has greatly expanded since our Principal Designer did an extensive renovation of her own home recently. Through years of trial and errors, here are our curated list of Renovation Must-Haves & Fave Finds!
As our projects are usually primary renovations or contains some element of building, we’ve curated a lengthy list of go-to products that we constantly purchase. This list of products is constantly evolving as we are always testing new things as different projects require different things. Plus, we just like testing things out.
Since our partners and contractors and clients are constantly asking us to send them links to these finds, we thought we’d do a helpful post for everyone, a builder’s roundup for once.
These are objects you can find in different places but since there is usually a need for something yesterday when renovating, we’ve found products you can overnight from Amazon to be most convenient. If you have any questions about types of products we don’t list here, contact us and we will likely have a recommendation for you!
Note: We are only listing things that contractors either don’t usually provide or where they use an inferior product and you can request that they sub it out before they start, or you can just provide it onsite and request they use this product instead.
Yellow: For delicate surfaces - to replace regular blue tape when adhering to walls, ceilings, or any surface with a finish.
Black: Two Tapes in One: (1) Side one has a premium painter's tape adhesive that won't damage surfaces and offers 21-day clean removal; (2) side two has an aggressive adhesive to securely hold poly sheeting and ensure protection of surfaces
Why these instead of the standard blue / cream tape contractors use?
At 100% of the job sites we work on, the standard tape will almost always end up either ripping up paint, varnish, and any other finish. It is just safer to use this tape as it has a 60 day removal period. Use more specific FROGTAPE for painting, but these work as the primary tape.
Black containment tape is very useful to hold up plastic sheeting. Usually, the tape used gets ripped up throughout construction, creating a mess of droopy sheeting and ultimately, dust EVERYWHERE. When the tape fails, workers usually use stronger tape, and then chunks of ceiling paint comes off. Just trust us, this change will save you so much money in the long run.
Primary use for these are as a tool to seal the FROGTAPE to the surface. Go over the tape edge 2-3 times for a tight seal prior to beginning.
The set comes with a few brushes, you can utilize the small and large ones to get drywall dust / debris out of cracks and crevices in doors & windows or any hard to reach areas.
Why these instead of the recommended putty knife or just a finger?
They recommend using a putty knife but we find that to be totally destructive, so this short, dense brush works for that. Any firm short brush works well. Without a proper seal, the adhesion is only partial. Most surfaces are not smooth, so a card / flat knife doesn’t really push the tape onto the entirety of the surface either.
Be sure the surface is clean & dry and does not have any dust on it before adhesion. Use a TSP spray and lint-free cloth to wipe before taping.
This smart lock has features like: Remotely programmable codes, facial recognition, two way mic, fingerprint function, color night-vision, high-resolution camera, AND a hidden regular key slot if the smart lock fails as a backup. Did we mention it opens the door lock, and is a doorbell as well?
Why not a NEST cam, or literally any other smart lock?
We can write a 5000 word article on this. Just trust that we’ve tested this in multiple location against multiple models of the Nest, Yale, August and Schlage smart locks. Just get this, and you’ll understand why quickly.
Why do we need a smart lock?
If only we knew about this sooner! The specific pain of trying to maintain a clean job-site, feels like an unsolvable annoyance. Until we found this. Its a floor mat that sticks to the floor, and it comes with 30 peelable layers. The amount of dirt it traps, is amazing. It also lasts quite a long time. Highly recommend getting as big a mat as the space allows, and placing it at every entry point to the house!
It is always handy to have a set of these in a standard size (or a few assorted sizes) around, as a way to cover furniture, be a base for tools to protect existing floors, etc. The difference is that this dropcloth has a grippy side, preventing unwanted crumpling and tripping, and is poly lined and therefore resistant to spills. Its is also washable (by hand.)
Why not a regular drop cloth?
Often, drop cloths are used to protect the floor from pieces of wood, cans of paint, tools, last minute coverup of furniture or areas that are at risk of exposure to dust or chemicals. However, drop cloths bunch, creating a tripping hazard, and sometimes when things spill, an uncoated canvas actually acts as a sponge that spreads the spill quicker. This is just a better solution, and isn’t slippery the way a plastic drop cloth is on the floor.
A cut-to-size filter can be easily popped on to protect the vents in the house. Special electrostatic and tackifier agents ensure a greater dust holding capacity and effectively capture dust and pet dander, etc. This has Merv 8 Triple Filtration, ensuring maximum filtration efficiency without restricting air intake. These cut to fit air filter kits measure 12 x 120 inches, providing a total of 1,440 sq. inches. Handy to prevent dust and debris from clogging your system's components, reducing strain on the motor and reduces maintenance frequency. and reduce the circulation and accumulation of dust in your home, which reduces cleaning time.
Why do we need this?
We are not recommending this in place of the regular filter but in addition to. Most job sites don’t bother covering the vents until a room is being painted or sanded, but the reality of construction is that there is a lot of toxic dust blowing around. The standard practive is to cover the vents with the damper or with plastic when a room is being worked on, but that may damage your system, as plastic seals it. Additionally, you can’t plastic the intake vent. To prep the vents with this at the beginning of the reno will make a huge difference in the strain on the system overall and prevent toxic dust from making its way through the existing system.
A USB rechargeable cordless hand vacuum with a washable and replaceable filter, this hand vacuum has great suction and a narrow nozzle, allowing it to really get into crevices, the brush tip allowing you to brush sawdust and larger debris in quickly. This vacuum has a long run time and doesn’t lose suction over time in our experience, and we can’t live without it.
Why do we need this?
You don’t want to break out a big clunky vacuum every time you need to quickly vacuum something, and during construction, very often the mess you need to get is in narrow or high or hard to reach areas. For example, sawdust inside a new cabinet, drywall dust on vent covers, and a million other scenarios. Of everything on this list, this may be the single most useful tool we’ve ever used, so much so that we have three in the office alone. It is phenomenal, affordable vacuum. And yes, we’ve bought desktop vacuums, stick and other handheld vacuums, Dysons, and Robot Vacuums. This little vac is the absolute best buy.
Dual-Textured Wipes: A smooth side for tackling daily messes and a rough side for heavy-duty grime.
Extra-Large Coverage: Measuring 10” x 12”, each wipe offers 2X the size of standard wipes. Each wipe is solution-soaked to stay moist and effective, even during extended cleaning tasks.
Industrial-Strength Formula: Designed for tough tasks, the Bond Buster formula cuts through grease, oil, and deeply set stains with ease.
Gentle on Hands: Infused with skin-nourishing aloe, vitamin E, and lanolin, these wipes protect and soften your hands while you clean.
Why do we need this?
Spills happen on job sites, and workers always need to clean their hands. When the water is shut off, and people need to wash their hands of grease, paint, or whatever else, this allows for an easy and thorough clean that multiple handwashes can’t even achieve. We’ve had paint, glue, resin, caulk, and all sorts of puttys come off with one wipe, without the use of harsh thinners that is usually required. Not to mention, it has saved many a surface from corrosive spills.
Enjoy industrial-grade cleaning strength with the added benefit of a hand-safe formula that leaves skin feeling soft. Honestly don’t know how this isn’t on every job site, but we make sure it is for all of ours!
Secure Lid: With the attached snap lock lid, this trash can will make it simple to place trash inside and keep it there, even in windy conditions.
Heavy Duty Handle – Make transportation effortless with the comfortable and easy to grip handle.
Rugged Wheels – Built tough, these wheels make for smooth transport while the garbage can is in use.
Withstand Elements – This outdoor trash can is made of heavy-duty polypropylene and can endure extreme temperatures and rough use.
Recycled and recyclable material.
Why do we need this?
Contractors will have their own trash bin, but when you have a lot of workers on site, often trash just gets tossed where there is a pile of trash to be wheeled out. We’ve seen saucy food wrappers piled in with recyclable boxes, making the entire recycle pile unrecyclable. And on a reno job, thats a LOT of stuff. Not to mention, hazardous wastes get mixed in instead of disposed of properly.
Label one bin HAZARDOUS materials and one bin NON CONSTRUCTION / NON RECYCLABLE / FOOD WASTE only. The first bin can contain combustible or materials made to be handled carefully, and the latter bin can be for general every day waste, so that old food wrappers aren’t piled in with construction waste by accident.
Ideally you should add a third bin for recyclables too.
This camera is a solar-powered, wire-free security camera that runs continuously without monthly fees or hidden costs, thanks to its removable solar panel and local storage.
Unparalleled Clarity with 3K Resolution, 8x zoom and a wide 50-foot view range. High res night vision, and automatic tracking.
Eliminate blind spots and monitor every corner of your home with the camera's 360° pan and tilt capabilities, allowing you to keep an eye on your front porch, backyard, and driveway effortlessly.
Set up the compact, wire-free camera in just 5 minutes.
It also has features like a night guard (light and preset message set at certain times to deter intruders) as well as a siren. You can also easily setup inactive zones so it doesn’t trigger the recording in specified areas.
Why do we need this?
The smart lock only records activity outside the front door, but this can be placed outside on the perimeter of the home. Construction sites are often targeted for theft, and even in an empty house, vital things like plumbing fixtures, or lights can be stolen, causing months of delay and thousands in replacements. The camera is not only a deterrent, it can accurately record activity, so should theft or break ins occur, you have proof of it, in clear video that tracks the person instead of a delayed feed that cuts out before the intruder goes out of frame. Highly recommend this camera if only for peace of mind.
DURABLE NAIL MAGNET SWEEPER - This magnet stick is made of high-quality steel and is an essential tool for use in workshops, garages, and homes. The magnet's 50lb pulling power allows you to increase work efficiency by locating dropped metal parts.
EXTENDABLE WITH EASY GRIP HANDLE - For added convenience, the ergonomic handle on this magnetic sweeper extends up to 40-inches in length to comfortably grab small items in hard-to-reach places. The tool protects against strain and bending over injuries.
PORTABLE MULTIUSE TOOL - When cleaning up after projects, the base on the bottom of this magnetic tool is large enough to pick up harmful nails, screws, bolts, and sharp metal objects. The tool collapses down to 24-inches for compact storage and travel.
Why do we need this?
A good crew always sweeps up after themselves, but not always. Imagine when a sharp nail / screw ends up point up on the floor between the concrete stress joints, or just outside the door when the trash is being loaded out, or an important metal piece falls behind a built in that has already been installed before the stone top is. (All of these scenarios have happened, multiple times.) Not that it is unsolvable, but it saves someone from a bleeding foot, or an hour delay Mcguyvering a device to reach behind the built in. Or once, a roofer decided to trim all the nails on the inside of the attic after they were done installing in one go, and leave sharp nail ends peppering the floors and insulation of the attic. This was truly the best and least painful solution.
