How to Get Free (Or Low Cost) Tools to Complete Your Summer DIY Project

Whether you want to build a deck, remodel a bathroom or repair damaged drywall, home maintenance projects can get expensive. DIY doesn’t always spell C-H-E-A-P, especially when you factor in the costs of having to buy the right tools for the job. There’s good news for all the do-it-yourselfers out there. Just check out these ways to get free or low cost tools to complete your summer DIY project.

Tool Lending Library Communities all around the country offer tool lending libraries. They work just like a normal library, but instead of checking out books they loan out tools like saws, drills and ratchets. Find out if there’s a tool lending library in your community and you could save a lot of money.

Home Depot Rental
Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot offer tool rental. This is a great way to get expensive equipment in your hands without having to invest a lot of money. They’ll even give you a lesson on how to use it so you don’t have to waste rental time studying up. Most tools are rented for four hours or by the day.

Craigslist
Secondhand tools typically work just as well, but can be purchased at a fraction of the price. Search Craigslist for the tools you need to complete your DIY project and don’t forget to haggle with the seller to ensure you’re getting the best price.

Try NeighborGoods
Why buy something your next door neighbor has sitting in their garage? With sites like NeighborGoods you can save money by sharing items with your friends and neighbors. The site is a social platform for peer-to-peer borrowing and lending.

List a Request on Zaarly
Zaarly is a marketplace where you can buy and sell services with your neighbors. So if you want to borrow someone’s ladder for a week and you’re willing to pay $10, post it on Zaarly. They’ll earn some extra cash and you’ll save a lot of money borrowing tools instead of buying them.

By Alison Storm

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