Statewide Hire Provides Guidance On How To Choose The Right Power Tools For Your Home Renovation In Adelaide

When tackling a home renovation, whether you are updating a bathroom, building a deck, or redoing flooring, having the right tools can make all the difference in speed, finish quality, and safety.

But with so many power tools out there, it’s easy to mismatch tool to task (and waste money).

As Adelaide’s reliable equipment hire provider, Statewide Hire stocks a full range of tools and machines to suit your needs across Adelaide and the Hills.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to select power tools suited for common renovation tasks, tips to compare tool specs, and when hiring is smarter than buying.

Before hiring and picking up a tool, think about:

• What material am I working with? (wood, concrete, tile, metal, drywall)

• What range / depth / precision do I need?

• How many hours of use will this see?

• What is access like (tight spaces, overhead, outdoors)?

These questions help narrow which class, size, and features of tool will serve you best.

Here’s a breakdown of common tasks and the power tools you’ll want to consider:

Task -  Drilling Concrete

Recommended Tool Type(s) -  Hammer Drill

Key Considerations -  Look at torque settings, hammer mode (for masonry)

 https://www.statewidehire.com.au/electrical-tool-hire

Task -Cutting timber, plywood, decking

Recommended Tool Type(s) -  Circular saw & jigsaw

Key Considerations -  Use blades rated for the timber, depth of cut, safety guards

Task -Cutting concrete, tile, masonry

Recommended Tool Type(s) -  CutQuik® cut-off saw, wall chaser, mobile concrete cutter

Key Considerations -  Depth of cut, dry vs wet cutting, dust control https://www.statewidehire.com.au/concrete-cutting-equipment-hire

Task -Grinding, smoothing metal or edges

Recommended Tool Type(s) -  Angle grinder (9"), disc grinder

Key Considerations -  Use correct disc type (cutting, grinding, flap disc) https://www.statewidehire.com.au/electrical-tool-hire

Task -Surface finishing on wood

Recommended Tool Type(s) -  Belt sander, orbital sander, drum sander and edger

Key Considerations -  Look for tool with dust port, variable speed https://www.statewidehire.com.au/electrical-tool-hire

Task -Removing tile or breaking concrete

Recommended Tool Type(s) -Jackhammer and demolition hammer

Key Considerations -  Weight and force balance with control https://www.statewidehire.com.au/jackhammers-and-breakers-hire

Task -  Screeding, mixing, finishing concrete

Recommended Tool Type(s) -Cement mixers, trowelling machines, vibrators

Key Considerations -  Match capacity to job size, portability matters

https://www.statewidehire.com.au/concrete-equipment-hire 

&

 https://www.statewidehire.com.au/excavator-and-earthmoving-equipment-hire

When choosing between tools, here are some helpful specs to compare:

• Power or motor rating (watts or amps) stronger motors handle tougher materials.

• Speed / RPM higher rpm for fine, fast cutting; lower for control.

• Torque (especially for drills) how much twisting force.

• Cut capacity / depth how thick material it can cut in one pass.

• Weight & ergonomics lighter tools reduce fatigue, especially overhead use.

• Dust / debris management port for vacuum, dust shrouds, wet cutting.

• Safety features overload protection, kickback guards, lock-off switches.

Electrical vs Petrol Tools: What’s Right for Your Renovation?

When it comes to choosing between electrical and petrol-powered tools, the right option depends on the type of project, power requirements, and working environment.

Both have distinct advantages and are suited to different situations.

Electrical Tools

Electrical tools — are the go-to choice for most indoor and small scale renovation projects.

Advantages:

• Cleaner operation: No fumes or fuel handling, making them ideal for indoor use.

• Low maintenance: Fewer moving parts and no engine oil or fuel system.

• Lightweight and quiet: Easier to handle in confined or residential spaces.

• Instant start: Plug in or switch on, no pull start required.

Best suited for:

• Indoor renovations (kitchens, bathrooms, flooring)

• Detailed finishing work (drilling, sanding, grinding, fastening)

• Jobs near available power supply or where noise must be minimised

Examples from Statewide Hire:

• Electric grinders and sanders
• Drills
• Concrete grinders and polishers
• Electric tile cutters and saws

Petrol Tools

Petrol powered tools are designed for outdoor, heavy duty applications or areas where power access is limited.

These tools deliver greater torque and continuous high performance, making them ideal for large scale or remote renovation work.

Advantages:

• Maximum mobility: No need for a power source or long extension cords.

• High power output: Handles demanding jobs like cutting concrete or compacting soil.

• Durable and jobsite-ready: Built for rugged use in construction environments.

Best suited for:

• Outdoor renovations (driveways, landscaping, fencing, decks)

• Heavy cutting, drilling, and demolition work

• Sites without nearby electrical power

Examples from  Statewide Hire:

• STIHL CutQuik® saws for concrete and masonry

• Petrol driven air compressors and concrete mixers

• Plate compactors and trowelling machines

Choosing Between Electrical and Petrol Tools

To decide what’s right for your renovation, consider:

• Location:

Indoors - electrical.

Outdoors - petrol.

• Power needs:

Light or precision tasks - electrical.

Heavy duty cutting or breaking - petrol.

• Noise and emissions:

Choose electrical tools in residential or enclosed environments.

• Runtime:

Petrol tools can run all day with refuelling, while electrical tools depend on a local power source.

When in doubt, consult with us at Statewide Hire. 

We'll help you select the safest, most efficient option for your site conditions.

Especially for infrequently used tools, hiring makes sense. Here’s why:

• Big savings vs buying a tool you’ll rarely use

• Access to high-spec tools you might not otherwise justify buying

• You avoid maintenance, storage, and depreciation costs

• For example, hire a 14″ or 16″ STIHL CutQuik® saw or Husqvarna mobile floor saw for concrete work without owning one. https://www.statewidehire.com.au/concrete-cutting-equipment-hire

• Or hire a demolition hammer or jackhammer for tile or slab removal. https://www.statewidehire.com.au/jackhammers-and-breakers-hire

Tip: Always ask us for more guidance, tips, safe operation instructions, and compatible accessories.

• Always wear PPE: eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, dust mask.

• Read the user manual before first use.

• Secure your workpiece with clamps, not your free hand.

• Start tools at lower speed settings if available.

• Keep blades and bits sharp, dull tools are more dangerous.

• Use correct discs/blades for the task.

• Proper ventilation when cutting, grinding, or sanding indoors.

See our comprehensive blog on Safety First Best Practices

https://www.statewidehire.com.au/safety-first-best-practices-when-operating-hired-machinery-in-adelaide

Scenario A – Renovating a Bathroom (tiles, concrete, framing):

• Hire a tile saw / wet saw for clean tile cuts

• Use a hammer drill for anchoring to walls

• Use orbital sander to prep timber frames

• Break out old tiles / concrete with a demolition hammer

Scenario B – Building a Deck / Outdoor Timber Works:

• Use a drill driver for decking screws

• Use circular saw for cuts

• Use angle grinder for metal connectors

Statewide Hire (Newton, Adelaide) offers a wide equipment and tool hire fleet including:

• Electrical / Power Tools: auto-feed screwdrivers, belt & orbital sanders, grinders, Ramset guns, etc. https://www.statewidehire.com.au/electrical-tool-hire

• Concrete Cutting / Grinding Equipment: CutQuik® saws, core drills, mobile cutters, wall chasers. https://www.statewidehire.com.au/concrete-cutting-equipment-hire

• Jackhammers: light & heavy demolition tools.

https://www.statewidehire.com.au/jackhammers-and-breakers-hire

• Concrete Equipment: mixers, trowelling machines, vibrating shafts.

https://www.statewidehire.com.au/concrete-equipment-hire

• General / Access Equipment: scaffolding, portable lighting, compressors, wall paper steamers, ladders, ventilating fans, evaporative air conditioner and patio heater.

https://www.statewidehire.com.au/general-equipment-access-hire

Because we regularly maintain and refresh our fleet, you can expect reliable, high-performance tools for your job. https://www.statewidehire.com.au/

Choosing the right power tools for your renovation comes down to matching tool capability to the materials and tasks at hand, and being honest about how often and intensively you'll use them.

Often, hiring specialist tools through a trusted equipment provider like Statewide Hire will save you money and the hassle, while giving you access to professional-grade gear.

If you're planning a renovation in Adelaide or the Adelaide Hills area, feel free to contact us at Statewide Hire and our team will help you pick the right tools and have them ready for you to pick up.

Contact Statewide Hire now for all your tool and equipment hire requirements on (08) 8336 9166