Having just the right tool or part to solve an unexpected issue is one of the most satisfying aspects of having a carefully stocked truck. Stopping on the job for a missing item is not only annoying, it can significantly cut profitably.
Over nearly four decades in the remodeling business, I’ve collected all sorts of things I carry “just in case.” Although I don’t wear the tool belt anymore, I find I have opportunities to use them frequently on personal hands-on projects. My business has grown to where the workload requires three project managers and a large trade base, but I still get a thrill when I can quickly produce that unusually sized set-screw to finish a towel bar installation, or a basin wrench when the plumber has forgotten his that day.
The types of items you carry and how many of each you need depend on your role in the company: If you’re a lead carpenter working on jobsites every day, you’ll carry a lot more than a business owner who no longer does hands-on work.
The following is an inventory of the supplies in my own truck. You’ll have some of these items around already, but others are tricks I’ve picked up thanks to years on the job. Keeping these things nearby not only improves day-to-day production and workflow, but also prepares you for construction and medical emergencies.
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