As a contractor for construction companies, you need high-quality construction tools to give your clients the accurate assessments they require. Before your next job, learn about and invest in seven of the top tools and gadgets that you didn’t know you needed.
1. Laser Measurers
Metal and fabric tape measures are important tools for any contractor; they allow you to get a close estimate of distances, and they’re easily portable. However, for measurements that must be exact, you can’t beat the precision of a laser measurer. These tools operate much more quickly than tape measures because you simply have to aim your measure at the desired location for a reading. Also, the measurement lines are straighter than the ones you create by hand, delivering accurate distances.
2. Construction Calculators
Calculators aren’t just for high school algebra classes; they’re also critical for calculating the angle of joints, converting units, designing arches, and performing other architectural tasks. Pick a big calculator for your office and choose a smaller one to take onto the job site. With a variety of styles performing the same applications, you can find a calculator that matches both your aesthetic and your engineering needs.
3. Manhole Cover Hooks
If a client hires you to inspect a property that includes manholes, one of your most crucial construction tools is a manhole cover hook. These hooks are made of durable steel so that you can latch onto the cover and remove it without bending or breaking your other tools. Choose from a variety of styles:
- Rudy tools
- Steel dollies
- Tommy hooks
- Dual grip poppers
Pick a few options until you find the style that works best for the manholes in your area.
4. Leak Detection Equipment
When you’re working in an old house that’s still connected to the water main, leaks are always a concern. A water leak detector helps you pinpoint the source of a leak, which can cause extreme damage to the house you’re inspecting. Leak detection equipment comes in a variety of styles, such as with or without headphones.
5. Magnetic Locators
Contractors don’t always leave good records when they finish surveying a property, so you sometimes have to spend hours looking for a water pipe or survey marker. Magnetic locators take the stress out of your job by detecting magnetic activity under the soil. Purchase the right handheld model from brands such as Piphorn, Dunham & Morrow, and SitePro, and invest in a few replacement parts to prevent repair delays.
6. Wall Scanners
Sometimes, walls inside old houses are empty; sometimes they’re full of electrical wires and other hazards. To prevent accidents and to find out what’s inside a wall without cutting it open, purchase a wall scanner. These detection devices can identify studs as well as smaller materials buried within layers of drywall, wood, and paint. The most modern wall scanners don’t need calibration, so they’re ready to operate as soon as you turn them on.
7. Inclinometers
When you’re surveying land in the mountains or inspecting a house with sloping floors, you need to know the incline of a variety of surfaces. While you can calculate the average slope by dividing the change in height by the change in length, that’s not an accurate measurement. Instead, use an inclinometer to accurately read the incline of ramps, driveways, drainage areas, and pipes. Choose from instruments created by top brands such as Sokkia Abney and Johnson.
As a contractor, you use your construction tools every time you go to the worksite, and you’re used to the ones currently in your toolbelt. Don’t be afraid to try new devices from experts such as Engineer Supply, though; you just might find your new favorite tool.
