Homeownership has always been considered to be one of the pillars of the American Dream. The day that a homeowner takes the keys to his or her first home is an exciting time, filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
However, as the home endures wear and tear over time, things will begin to break, requiring occasional maintenance. Whereas seasoned homeowners expect and are prepared for most routine repairs, new buyers are often unsure about how to proceed. And after all, that is to be expected, since prior to purchasing their homes, all repairs and maintenance were handled by landlords.
To help new owners get prepared for routine maintenance chores, Hendersonville Lifestyle reached out to Greg Yandell, owner of Hendersonville Ace Hardware.
What types of home repair and/or upgrade projects should a homeowner be prepared to handle?
“A homeowner should be prepared to repair items in their homes that receive high usage, such as toilets, faucets, shower heads, door handles and cabinet hinges. In addition, owners should be able to repair small dings and holes in the walls. An often-overlooked chore is to inspect and change/upgrade all of the interior water supply lines to toilets, sinks, refrigerators, etc. every five to ten years. A single burst water supply line can flood an entire home in a matter of hours, requiring extensive costly repairs.”
Would you recommend an all-in-one first timer’s took kit or putting together one piece by piece over time?
“In our store, we always recommend purchasing a starter set of tools rather than trying to piece one together. That way, homeowners will be prepared to handle more jobs from the onset while saving money. New starter combo took kits range between $35 to $100, and they represent great value. Overtime, homeowner’s can begin to acquire additional individual tools such as cordless drills, circular saws or other specialty items to reflect their particular needs. Eventually, most owners will want to upgrade their starter bag/box to a multi-level toolbox in order to keep their tools organized and ready for use.”
What are the top ten tools that a homeowner should have on hand for routine repairs and maintenance?
“To handle most home maintenance items, we recommend the following tools at the minimum: hammer, drill, screwdriver set, standard wrench set, adjustable wrench, pliers, measuring tape, hacksaw and a foot level. Add in roll or two of duck tape, and most homeowners can handle 80% of the small repairs needed. Since many projects often leave a mess, we also strongly recommend purchasing a wet/dry shop vacuum.”
Why should homeowners invest in quality tools as opposed to cheaper knock-off brands?
“Homeowners should look at tools as long-term investments. Many of us still have and use tools that our fathers or grandparents purchased years ago, and they are still in great shape and able to get the job done today. Unfortunately, many first-timers often purchase tools only when an emergency has arisen, often leading to purchase cheaper and lesser quality gear that will not stand the test of time. It is better to spend a little bit more to make sure that you can get a tool that will hold up over the years. Some of the better brands that are available and that we carry in our store are Craftsman, Milwaukee, DeWalt and Ace.”
Many homeowners opt to rent the more expensive specialized tools rather than purchasing them. When does renting tools make sense?
“Renting is a great option for some home repairs, particularly for projects that don’t happen very often. In those situations, renting is much more economical than purchasing. In addition, renting helps to preserve limited home storage space, particularly for larger tools.”
Along with tools, what sort of basic repair supplies should a homeowner have on hand?
“Most owners will accumulate a steady supply of supplies over the years as repair jobs arise. However, starting out, we recommend purchasing a small assortment of nails and screws, zip ties, flashlights, goggles, work gloves, a caulk gun, electrical tape, electrical ties and picture hanging supplies (e.g. wire, frame connectors, small brads).”
For people who have little to no experience with tools, e.g. those who never took any sort of shop classes in school, how can they learn to properly use them in their home projects?
“Learning to use a tool correctly is essential for several reasons, including user and bystander safety, getting the job done correctly and not avoiding damage to project materials and the tools themselves. When purchasing a new tool, we always recommend that homeowners ask their provider to learn what they need to know about a particular tool, and to provide an example of its proper use. In addition, there are a great deal of free online training resources on how to get the most out of tools.”
Greg Yandell,
Hendersonville Ace Hardware / Ace Handyman Services Sumner County
Greg Yandell is a longtime entrepreneur who has become successful in business by offering top quality goods and outstanding customer service. He and his wife Christa opened Hendersonville Ace Hardware in 2020, along with their sons Logan and Alex.
Since opening its doors, Hendersonville Ace Hardware has helped thousands of locals navigate the maze of maintaining their homes and their property by providing them with top quality materials along with knowledgeable service and support.
“A hardware store is essential to any thriving community,” says Greg. “The Ace Hardware cooperative approach provides a warm and shopping experience.”
For customers lacking the time or expertise to tackle certain projects, Greg and his team opened Ace Handyman Services Sumner County during fall 2023. Staffed by experienced craftsmen, the company can handle over 1,100 different types of home repairs.
“We all need a little help sometimes, and our team is here to provide it,” says Greg. “Whenever you need an extra hand, give Ace Handyman a call, and we will pick up where you left off.”
"While it’s important to have the right tools, it’s equally important to have the willingness to tackle a repair."
Greg Yandell