The contracting business is not the thing to get into if you are looking for easy money.  In fact, I’m not sure what business does offer easy money.  You can make a great living as a contractor, and it can be really rewarding if it’s the kind of work you are cut out for.  However, it’s pretty competitive.  The real estate market has taken its toll on a lot of contractors, and some areas just don’t seem to have enough work to go around.  That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure you bottom line looks good.  That means that saving money is just as important as making money.  Your business needs to be lean, efficient, and profitable.  One of the best ways to do this is to bring a multi tool into the equation.

Making Work Easier

A multi tool, or oscillating tool, makes work easier.  If you have not tried one of these things yet, it’s worth doing.  If you have a crew, then you know what it’s like keeping up with tools.  Things get lost, stolen, broken, you name it.  With a multi tool, you have one tool that does the job of at least 20.  It replaces practically every kind of saw, making powerful and precise cuts in any kind of wood, plus fiberglass, plywood, particle board, foam board, drywall, plastics, and many other materials.  It can handle tight angles, long cuts, plunge cuts, etc.  It all depends on the blade.  You pop in a different blade for different jobs.  They also have blades for scraping paint, removing tile grout, sanding, polishing, grinding, cleaning spilled concrete, and many other tasks.  These are light, easy to use, and versatile.  They also make it so much easier to keep track of tools.  As long as all of your multi tools are accounted for on the job, you are in good shape.  It’s better than carrying around and keeping track of a dozen or more different saws, scrapers, sanders, and such.  If a blade goes missing, it’s not that big of a loss.  This means that you save money because you buy fewer tools and you have less to lose or break.  Sonicrafter blades and tools are some of the best, but you can find excellent models from most tool companies.  Most of these tools have great warrantees, so you are in pretty good shape if you use them.

Using an Oscillating Tool for Convenience and Safety

The portability of these tools is a huge plus.  They are easier to carry and use in tough places like rooftops, trees, crawlspaces, under sinks, in attics, and other tight or inaccessible spots.  You can even get cordless versions, which are more transportable yet.  This is convenient, but it’s also a matter of safety.  The last thing you need is you or your workers hurting themselves.  Having one light tool cuts down on muscle strain, pulled backs, hernias, and (God forbid) wounds from slips of the blade due to bad positioning.  Of course, there is no tool in the world that does everything.  You will still need hammers, nail guns, and other tools.  But these are a big help, and can save all kinds of money and headaches.

Saving Cash on Multi Tool Blades

A multi tool can certainly be a blessing on the job, but the blades don’t last forever.  Even Sonicrafter blades wear out eventually, so it’s smart to find a supplier for off-brand oscillating tool blades that are high quality and precise.  Some blades can be as expensive as $30 if you buy the name brands, but fortunately, you can get very durable, precise replacements for any brand and style of blade for one fraction of the name brand retail price.  If you have a crew working with multi tools all day every day, the blade costs can be astronomical.  It’s the kind of cost that adds up a little bit at a time.  You may not even realize how much you have spent on blades until you calculate expenses at the end of the year.  Having a good supplier for replacement blades can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.  This can make all the difference when you are trying to improve your bottom line.