Do You Buy Your Crew Tools?

Was having a discussion with my partner Heidi. She says most contractors do, I say they don't. Can I get a consensus?

We do a lot of building, and we supply all of th3e power tools, and lasers etc The guys buy their own hand tools that they carry on them.

Newbies/"apprentice" types need to have minimal hand tools, (i.e., bags, hammer, tape, chalk line, snips, knives,)

More experienced/"journeyman" types will typically have a skilsaw, cordless dill, a cord - if they're shinglers, they'll have their own compressor and air tools. Tile guys will have their own cut-off saw. Single ply guys have the typical hand tools, (i.e., scissors, rollers, etc,)

We provide if they don't have.

Vaa: If $300 brok your R&M budget, I know I'm spending too much hahah.

We buy Porter Cable 20v cordless impact drills because they are cheap and decent, the batteries and chargers are cheap. We loose & drop them, so I don't want to invest in good ones. I'd rather have volume. The batteries go out regularly though, but I did buy a batch of refurbs, which were super cheap.

Vickie: We buy all tools except what fits on their belt. The only exception might be flat bars. I usually spend over $100 per year on flat bars.

Since I no longer have employees, about all we buy are chalklines. I've got enough compressors, hoses, guns,saws,..extension cords.....and much more to probably make it 5 years

Yes we do.

No.

I supply all tools, but encourage new employees to get their own hand tools. I loan them an old belt with a 16 oz, hammer, cheap tape measure and chalkline and call it "the Playskool tool kit". That's usually enough encouragement for them to get their own.

The title should be "Do You Buy Your Guys Tools To Loose?"

One of the mysteries of the universe. The vortex of disappearing company bought tools.