Let me just say this: You don’t need a fancy workshop or $5,000 worth of tools to build a tiny home.

I built half of mine in a backyard with a dodgy extension cord, a $200 saw, and a whole lot of swearing.

But if I had to do it all over again, here’s what I actually would’ve bought — and what I wouldn’t waste my cash on.

These are the only power tools I think are worth your money if you’re building a tiny home and don’t want to go broke.

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1. A Decent Circular Saw

If I could only buy one tool — it’s this.

You’ll use it for framing, flooring, trimming, you name it. Doesn’t matter if you're building the subfloor or cutting down plywood for your cabinets, this thing’s your ride-or-die.

My advice?
Buy a corded one. Cheaper, more power, no dead batteries. Just get a long extension cord and you’re sorted.

If you want straighter cuts (like, “cabinet quality” straight), pair it with a guide track for circular saw.

It basically turns your saw into a track saw — without needing to spend $800 on a big-brand one. Way easier than freehanding long cuts and hoping for the best.

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2. Drill + Impact Driver Combo

Yes, you need both. Don’t fight me on this.

The drill’s for holes. The impact driver’s for screws. If you’ve ever tried to drive a 3” screw into a stud with a regular drill, you know what I mean — you’ll strip the screw, burn out the motor, and rage quit.

Get a cheap combo kit — Ryobi, Makita, whatever’s on sale. Just make sure the batteries are compatible across their other tools. That’ll save you heaps later.

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3. Orbital Sander

Sanding by hand is for people who enjoy pain.

You’ll need this for prepping walls, smoothing cabinets, or fixing any tear-out from your saw. It makes a big difference when you’re trying to make cheap plywood look nice.

Grab a pack of mixed grit sandpaper too. Start rough (60–80 grit), finish smooth (180–220). You’ll look like you know what you’re doing.

4. Jigsaw

You don’t need this every day, but when you do — it’s a lifesaver.

Cutting out weird shapes for plumbing? Need a curved edge for a countertop? Jigsaw. You’ll want one with variable speed and a decent selection of blades.

Bonus: It’s the easiest power tool to use if you’ve never touched one before.

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5. Trim Router (Optional But Fun)

If you’re planning on doing your own cabinets or built-ins, a little trim router will make your life easier — and your build look way more pro.

Round over sharp edges. Cut little grooves. Add some flair. Totally skippable if you’re not into finish work, but great to have.

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6. Tools You Should NOT Buy (Unless You Love Wasting Money)

• Miter saw – Borrow one when you’re trimming out your windows or baseboards. Don’t buy unless you're doing heaps of finish work.
  
  
• Table saw – Takes up too much room. You can do 90% of the same stuff with a circular saw + track system.
  
  
• Belt sander – Overkill for a tiny home. Orbital’s enough.
  
  
• Nail gun – Borrow, rent, or use a hammer like a normal person.
  
  

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need a garage full of gear. You need:

• A circular saw (plus a guide rail if you want to cut straight)
  
  
• A drill and impact driver
  
  
• An orbital sander
  
  
• A jigsaw
  …and maybe a router if you’re feeling fancy.
  
  

Build smart. Spend less. Make it look good. That’s the goal.

Let me know what tools you’re using — or what you totally regret buying.