Improving the state of your home is always a rewarding experience, especially when you choose to do it yourself. For the sake of ensuring your renovations are ‘The Block’ worthy and can be completed as conveniently as possible, it is always a good idea to invest in power tools.
There are many different types of power tools that can be used for all sorts of renovation tasks, such as gardening, painting, polishing, drilling and cutting. For the sake of speeding up tedious processes and improving your accuracy, purchasing a few power tools for your renovation project may be worth considering.
Power tools are often sold at hardware stores but not all will carry the best local brands or the specific type of power tool you are looking for. As a result, it is imperative to research where you can purchase the power tools best suited for your renovation and home improvement projects, and at the most affordable prices.
In Australia, there is a wide mix of local and small hardware and power tool stores, as well as big corporate brands. For example, Metcash is Australia’s leading wholesale distribution and marketing company and owns IGA as well as other reputable hardware businesses in the country such as Mitre 10, Home & Timber Hardware, Hardings Hardware and most recently, Total Tools.
Bunnings Warehouse is another popular national business owned by Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers, which sells power tools in addition to other outdoor living equipment and hardware tools. If you are located regionally and would love to support a small local business, there are also certain stand out independent power tool shops that may interest you such as Just Tools, F & K Power Tools and Sydney Power Tools.
At PaintAccess, we have simplified the tedious research process for you and compiled a list of the top seven local power tools shops for you to check out! Keep reading to discover where you can find the best deals and purchase top notch power tools in Australia!
Bunnings Warehouse is arguably Australia’s largest and most reputable hardware store. With over 40,000 employees and 377 store locations across Australia, Bunnings’ ‘lowest prices policy’ ensures their customers are always getting the best deals for their home and outdoor living improvement ventures.
As Australia’s lead retailer for trade tools, home equipment and living appliances, Bunnings stocks over 45,000 products (including hand and power tools) with an expanded range available through the Bunnings Special Orders service. Having been part of Australian conglomerate group Wesfarmers for over 20 years, Bunnings is also connected with large department store retailers in Australia such as Kmart and Target.
Unlike the other power tool shops on this list, Bunnings has a large network of locations to cater for both their retail and commercial customers all across Australia. To accommodate for different types of buyers, Bunnings is separated into three flexible formats:
1. Bunnings Warehouse
The Bunnings Warehouse is an evolving format and is usually in the form of a multilevel shopping centre open to both retail and commercial customers.
2. Bunnings
This format is also open to retail and commercial customers but is smaller than the Bunnings Warehouse format. There are usually four new openings of this Bunnings format every year, and they act flexibly as both regional and metro markets.
3. Bunnings Trade Centre
Bunnings Trade Centres are built in a specialized DIFOT (delivery in full, on time) format and are for the commercial ‘delivered’ market.
Along with these three formats, Bunnings Warehouse has also developed a strong digital presence in addition to their online store, as they offer expert D.I.Y. advice, design inspiration and product information through their social media, content magazines and company events.
When talking about Bunnings Warehouse’s brand reach, we also cannot forget to mention the classic Bunnings sausage sizzle community events. Bunnings Warehouse often hosts local weekend sausage sizzles in an effort to fundraise and give back to their community. Their sausage sizzle fundraisers aim to help and provide ongoing assistance to a wide range of local community groups such as schools, local sporting groups, local health and wellbeing centers as well as disadvantaged community groups.
Bunnings Warehouse distributes a long list of respectable brands in the power tool industry as part of their ‘lowest prices are just the beginning’ motto, including:
- Makita (e.g. vacuum cleaners, port tool battery chargers)
- AEG (e.g. batteries, angle grinders, wrenches)
- Ozito (e.g. drill kits)
- DeWalt (e.g. batteries, compressors, torches)
- Bosch Blue (e.g. lasers, grinders, batteries, work lights)
If you are looking for informative and helpful staff members to guide you through you power tool purchasing process, consider visiting Australian hardware store Mitre 10! With over 50 years of industry experience, Mitre 10 is one of Australia’s most reputable power tool shops for having well-trained and knowledgeable staff members who treat their customers with the utmost care and respect.
Built from the ground up by eight independent timber and trade operators, Mitre 10 has always been dedicated to the trade, stocking only the highest quality products available in the market while also acting as Australia’s largest independent timber merchant. Selling over hundreds of brands and even more products, Mitre 10 is known across Australia to be one of the top power tool retailers to visit.
‘Mighty Helpful’ Mitre 10 is Australia’s largest independent home improvement and hardware wholesaler in the industry, with over 300 stores in its network around the country. Mitre 10 and its subsidiary True Value Hardware stores have been committed to providing homeowners with convenient and affordable solutions to their home improvement projects since 1959. They offer services to all Australians, with many of their stores located in regional Australia for smaller townships and communities.
With accommodating shopping programs such as their Mighty Rewards Campaign, Afterpay and Humm payment options, Mitre 10 is always looking out for their customers and providing them with a convenient and helpful purchasing experience. Mitre 10 also offers a series of professional services to help amateur renovators get started on their projects, including D.I.Y. ideas and a principal kitchen design tool.
Most recently, Mitre 10 has also announced its plans to acquire long-standing local family business Acheson’s Home Timber and Hardware, which like Mitre 10, is well known amongst the community for its award-winning services and products. Unlike most company acquisitions however, Mitre 10 is planning on keeping Home Timber and Hardware proudly family-owned and operated. Instead, the Mitre 10 banner will strengthen the store’s ability to provide its customers with a wider range of products at even more competitive prices.
Mitre 10 distributes a wide range of power tools from reputable power tool brands such as:
- Makita (e.g. heat guns, fuels and accessories, pressure cleaners, line trimmers)
- Stanley (e.g. oil free air compressors, battery adapters)
- DeWalt (e.g. angle grinders, thickness planers)
- Hikoki (e.g. impact drill drivers, wrench kits)
Home Timber & Hardware is a locally renown hybrid business, with both wholesale and retail elements to the business to service individuals, independently-owned-and-operated businesses as well as company-owned sites.
Home Timber & Hardware uniquely focuses on providing their services to regional Australians, with over 80% of their 350 stores located in regional local communities and townships across the country, along with their subsidiary Thrifty-Link Hardware and Hardings Hardware stores. Home Timber & Hardware brands itself as the home of big brands, high-quality services and professional advice, and certainly does a good job in upholding these claims for regional Australians.
Specialising in providing their customers with D.I.Y ideas and advice, the store is well known for offering quick and easy solutions to common household complications. These include their wide range of power tools available for purchase; from air compressors and heat guns to saw skinners and sanders.
Exclusive to the ‘Go Where the Tradies Go’ Home Timber & Hardware stores is their D.I.Y Rewards program, which conveniently rewards their customers with special promotions, bonus product offers and redeemable tools for simply purchasing from their stores!
Members of the D.I.Y Rewards program receive five points for every dollar spent, which is redeemable for any gear listed on Home Timber & Hardware’s extensive product catalogue and available at the member’s nominated store. The D.I.Y. Rewards Program can be accessed online at its members’ convenience, as well as in-store when receiving and redeeming rewards.
Home Timber & Hardware offers a wide variety of power tool brands available for purchase, including:
- Bosch (e.g. multi sanders, blades, jigsaws)
- DeWalt (e.g. planers, sanders, dual port chargers)
- Hot Devil (e.g. welding power tools)
- EMAX (e.g. suction spray guns, air staplers, cleaning guns)
Total Tools has been serving the Australian hardware community for over 30 years and prides itself as a one stop destination for all of their customers’ power tool needs. Reflective of their motto ‘every tool/every trade’, Total Tools offers just about everything you’d want in a hardware store, stocking a wide range of the world’s biggest professional tool brands as well as supporting customers with expert advice and knowledge unrivalled within the industry.
The long-established power tools store was most recently acquired by Metcash (currently 70% ownership) and with the added support of the Australian conglomerate, Total Tools is only set to grow, maintain their position as one of Australia’s leading professional tool retailers, and broaden their demographic reach.
Total Tools stores house more than 20,000 products with day-to-day access, while the online store offers over 60,000 products with nation-wide delivery.
Interestingly enough, what differentiates Total Tools from the other power tool shops on this list is their informative in-house blog, which includes many how-tos, helpful tips and news pieces to help amateur renovators learn to use specific power tools. Complete with blog posts on topics such as dust extraction, pressure washers and even tax reductions, customers can spend their time productively and browse through the Total Tools blog to learn more about their trade!
Total Tools also offers a large selection of power tools from highly regarded global brands, including:
- Milwaukee (e.g. jobsite radios and chargers)
- Festool (e.g. dust extractors and accessories)
- Carbatec (e.g. thicknessers)
- Saber (e.g. sharpeners and grinders)
While the other stores on this list may sell a variety of hardware tools, F & K focuses on providing only the best power tools available on the market to their customers. F & K Power Tools has been active in Sydney since 1973 and since then, have earned their reputation as local Sydney power tool experts.
With both an in-store option (located in Stanmore) and online shopping options, F & K distribute reliable power tool brands and their products at affordable prices – with free shipping included on all orders over $99! Certain branded power tools purchased at F & K Power Tools also come with warranty (of up to 5 years).
In an effort to promote sustainability while also guaranteeing further customer savings, F & K Power Tools also offers a Tool Spare Parts program, where customers can source the tool parts they need online! In the case that your power tool has stopped working correctly but you do not have the resources nor time to research and purchase another, taking advantage of F & K Power Tools’ Spare Parts program may be an option worth considering.
F & K Power Tools also stocks a wide range of accessories that you may not be able to find elsewhere, from 1mm drill bits to 400mm diamond core bits. In addition to such accessories, F & K also distributes a large variety of power tool brands and products, such as:
- Festool (e.g. routers and trimmers, polishers, air tools, oiling tools)
- Makita (e.g. drywall sanders, plate joiners, wall chasers)
- Panasonic (e.g. cordless power tools)
- DeWalt (e.g. grinders, lasers, routers, thicknessers)
- Metabo (e.g. paint strippers, heat guns, bench grinders)
- Maxisafe (e.g. safety gear)
- Honda (e.g. edgers, pruners, power heads)
Just Tools is another hardware store to check out if you are considering shopping at smaller businesses specialising in power tools. Just Tools has been supplying the South Melbourne area for over 40 years with power tools, hand tools, nail guns, air tools and engineering supplies. As an Australian owned business, Just Tools gives back to their community by catering for all traders, handymen, manufacturers and retailers.
You can purchase from Just Tools’ wide selection of power tools at their South Melbourne store, or on their website which offers Australia-wide delivery services as well as Click and Collect. All products are sold at affordable prices, with free delivery on selected items offered on their online shop.
Just Tools also offers power tool and hand tool repairs for both warranty and non-warranty claims. For example, the store’s sharpening services can help restore all types of blades, including tipped blades, bandsaws, hand tools and drill bits. As a member of the United Tools Group in Australia, Just Tools also prioritises customer savings and strives to give their customers the best services and purchasing experiences possible.
As part of providing their customers with excellent and convenient purchasing experiences, Just Tools also offers expert advising services on power tools and other hardware matters through call and email. If you are having some trouble with a power tool or would like to know more about a specific product, Just Tools encourages you to call or email them and they will get back to you with professional advice and tips on your enquiries swiftly.
While relatively small compared to the large corporate hardware brands mentioned in this blog post, Just Tools still offers a wide range of power tools for purchase, including:
- Karcher (e.g. full-control pressure cleaners, brushes)
- Vacmaster (e.g. wet and dry vacuums)
- Wagner (e.g. paint sprayers, spray systems)
- Milwaukee (e.g. cordless power packs, cordless combo brushless kits)
- Makita (e.g. planers, rotary hammers, routers, jigsaws)
Offering the ‘best brands at the best prices’, Sydney Tools is a long-established hardware store in Australia, known to sell only the most trusted power tools available on the market. Family-owned and founded in 2001, Sydney Tools currently operates online (delivering nationwide) as well as in 40 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.
Despite being relatively new in comparison to the other stores mentioned in this blog, Sydney Tools supplies customers with a large range of premium quality tools, consumables, and accessories. These products all aim to help with improving the quality of renovation projects in all industries, including the automotive, mining and construction industries.
The company’s main goal is to provide services, support, and technical expertise to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction before, during and after every sale. While taking pride in their customer service, Sydney Tools also actively seeks feedback from their customers, by including an online feedback form for clients to record their unsatisfactory, satisfactory, or excellent experiences. Sydney Tools will respond to all feedback submissions personally and promptly.
In addition to providing customers with high quality tools and services, Sydney Tools also offers 21 workshops located within their store network, with the largest workshop located in their head office in Sydney. These workshops aim to teach customers how to expertly handle specific power tools and which ones would be best suited to achieve the best results in different industrial situations and contexts.
Sydney Tools sells a variety of top-notch power tool brands and their products to ensure their customers have the best purchasing experience, such as:
- Paslode (e.g. nailers)
- Stanley (e.g. tool sets)
- UniMig (e.g. plasma cutters, TIG welders)
- Cigweld (e.g. plastic cutters, multi-function welders)
- Hikoki (e.g. belt sanders, hedge trimmers, electric polishers, sanders)
Should you stick to just one power tool shop?
While all the power tool shops mentioned in this blog are certainly worth visiting and buying from, there is no need to stick to just one of them. Diversifying your power tool stores is a good way to ensure you always get the best deals and power tool purchases, as you can cross-reference brands and prices, as well as join multiple loyalty programs to get the best deals.
Different power tool shops will have different reward programs and purchasing from a series of power tool stores will ensure you are more likely to be rewarded for purchasing with them some way or another. Instead of sticking with just one store, keeping an eye on multiple can also help you to save money during separate sales and discount campaign periods.
To guarantee you are saving as much as possible, it is also important to keep up with the online shop campaigns of different power tool stores as well as their in-store campaigns. Some sales may only be offered through their online store, while other discounts are only applied to in-store purchases. It may also be helpful to factor in shipping fees when purchasing power tools online and whether or not such fees are worth paying, as opposed to spending time visiting the store physically.
To help you keep up with the multitude of power tool shops and all of their independent sales and campaigns, it may be a good idea to sign up for their online newsletters. You can also contact different power tool stores through their social media channels, emails, phone numbers or website contact services to keep up to date with their campaigns in more detail.
Sticking with just one power tool brand as opposed to multiple power tool stores can also help simplify things for you if you do not have the time to keep up with different shops and prices for the same power tools.
