Jumper K. Balls wrote: Access to a pickup. I have made it through 15 years of homeownership while only having one for a few years but I do borrow the shop truck at least once a month.
This. I ended up buying a cheapo truck and am using it far more often than I expected.
All the biggies seem to have been covered. Go forth and conquer!!
Congrats on the house, it's a big step. 
What, no crowbar, sledge hammer and reciprocating saw?
Also, the phone number to a good florist for when you inevitably berkeley up a simple project and SWMBO says "I told you we should of called the handyman!" 
Welcome to house ownership
A kegerator in the house helps immensely. 
Ok, so these guys have now spent several thousand of your dollars. Much more, if you count the truck.
I am gonna suggest that you need almost none of it.
If your goal is to have a nice shop, you need it. But if your goal is basic maintenance, you don't.
So, here is my suggestion.
The total amount being suggested here is between $3000 and $5000, plus the truck.
Put that much money in a checking account, and don't tell your wife. Contribute an additional $100 per month, because you must have a maintenance budget.
The first thing you are going to buy with money from your maintenance account is 2 six packs of beer. Don't buy the cheap swill. This is not for you- this is to share with the local handyman on a purely social level. New to the neighborhood, get to know 'ya.
Shortly after you get to know the handyman, ask him occasionally to borrow tools for basic repairs. This makes him feel important- he likes to help. Make sure you return the tools the same day, preferably in better condition then you got them. This makes him trust you.
Now, give your wife the handyman's number.
Use the maintenance account to pay him whenever she calls him. If you play it right, she'll think you are a hero because you are always prepared and can handle the llttle things.
He won't charge you much, because he likes you. You will NEVER spend all that money, and you will never have to lift a finger.
One more thing... Don't call it your maintenance account. Call it your "I'm a berkeleying genius" account, and smile to yourself every time you use it.
The only thing buying a bunch of tools does is clutter your life, and give you more E36 M3 to take care of, and a much longer "honey do" list, and more stress and unfinished projects.
SVreX wrote: Ok, so these guys have now spent several thousand of your dollars. Much more, if you count the truck. I am gonna suggest that you need almost none of it. If your goal is to have a nice shop, you need it. But if your goal is basic maintenance, you don't. So, here is my suggestion. The total amount being suggested here is between $3000 and $5000, plus the truck. Put that much money in a checking account, and don't tell your wife. Contribute an additional $100 per month, because you must have a maintenance budget. The first thing you are going to buy with money from your maintenance account is 2 six packs of beer. Don't buy the cheap swill. This is not for you- this is to share with the local handyman on a purely social level. New to the neighborhood, get to know 'ya. Shortly after you get to know the handyman, ask him occasionally to borrow tools for basic repairs. This makes him feel important- he likes to help. Make sure you return the tools the same day, preferably in better condition then you got them. This makes him trust you. Now, give your wife the handyman's number. Use the maintenance account to pay him whenever she calls him. If you play it right, she'll think you are a hero because you are always prepared and can handle the llttle things. He won't charge you much, because he likes you. You will NEVER spend all that money, and you will never have to lift a finger. One more thing... Don't call it your maintenance account. Call it your "I'm a berkeleying genius" account, and smile to yourself every time you use it. The only thing buying a bunch of tools does is clutter your life, and give you more E36 M3 to take care of, and a much longer "honey do" list, and more stress and unfinished projects.
This is so funny.
Because it true!
Key to shut off the water valve in your yard. Eventually you will have an emergency that requires shutting off the water to your house. It will likely happen in the middle of the night on the coldest day you ever imagined. You don't want to have to crawl around on the completely saturated ground and stick your hand into the valve box full of partially frozen water. You can either make one or spend $30 and buy one, but do it and keep it somewhere that you will always be able to find it...
SVreX wrote: Ok, so these guys have now spent several thousand of your dollars.
From the man who suggested he get a wife.
hand truck, and ceiling fan brush in my case...
secretariata wrote: Key to shut off the water valve in your yard. Eventually you will have an emergency that requires shutting off the water to your house. It will likely happen in the middle of the night on the coldest day you ever imagined. You don't want to have to crawl around on the completely saturated ground and stick your hand into the valve box full of partially frozen water. You can either make one or spend $30 and buy one, but do it and keep it somewhere that you will always be able to find it...
This. Plus, make a map of all the utilities to the house - water line, sewer (septic tank if there is one), power, cable, etc. Make a few copies and keep them readily available. Trying to remember where the water shut-off valve is at 3:00 AM when it's 35 degrees is tough. Go ahead and call 811 and have them paint the utilities. Then take photos. When SWMBO wants that tree or bush planted, it's always fun to say "Nope. Can't put that there" rather than digging up drain lines 15 years later from tree roots.
Wally wrote:SVreX wrote: Ok, so these guys have now spent several thousand of your dollars.From the man who suggested he get a wife.
Yep.
Making a house liveable is a job most men suck at. At least the ones who are not gay.
Left to our own devices, we would have engines dismantled in the living room, a lawn that looks like a hay field, and motorcycle parts in the dishwasher.
If you want to make a house liveable, a wife is usually pretty good at it. Plus, the sex is better.
If you don't want a wife, you don't even need a house. A run down garage, a panel van with an air mattress, and a U-Store it building will suffice.
But I never said the wife would be cheap. 
In fact, the thousands and thousands of dollars being spent here is pretty much BECAUSE of wives.
Make a plan for furnishings and stick with the plan. Getting cheap stuff as it comes along will get you a hogpog of crap. Some call it eclectic when I fact it looks like you furnished your house with the free stuff left at the curb after yard sales.
Another thing is test any sofa BEFORE you buy. They suck to move. Finding a comfortable and good looking sofa that goes with your home can be a challenge. But get one that looks good but sucks to sit in and you will find your self not using that room.
Get a roll of pink toilet paper. No one ever remembers they put out the last roll but everyone who sees the pink roll is out knows its the last one and replacements are needed soon.
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