What Geräte (tools/devices) do you need for a renovation in Germany in 2025?

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What Geräte (tools/devices) do you need for a renovation in Germany in 2025?

Renovating your home in Germany? Whether you’re doing a full flat makeover or just updating a few rooms, you’ll want the right tools. Below is a list of essential Geräte, what they’re called in German and English, and what they’re used for. Handy for your toolbox, and for your vocabulary 🤓

1. Bohrmaschine / Drill

• Deutsch: Bohrmaschine – Akkubohrmaschine (cordless drill) or Schlagbohrmaschine (hammer drill)

• English: Drill (cordless drill / hammer drill)

• Was sie macht: Used to drill holes in walls, ceilings, wood, metal, masonry. Also for driving screws if you attach a bit for that.

• Warum wichtig: You’ll need it for mounting shelves, fixtures, hanging stuff, maybe prepping for wall anchors.

2. Winkelschleifer / Angle Grinder

• Deutsch: Winkelschleifer (also “Flex” in slang)

• English: Angle grinder

• Was sie macht: Cutting metal, tile, concrete; grinding surfaces; removing old plaster or mortar.

• Warum wichtig: In renovation you often have to remove or modify existing structures, and a grinder helps. The German brand Flex is even named after the tool category. (Wikipedia)

3. Akku-Schrauber / Cordless Screwdriver / Driver Drill

• Deutsch: Akku-Schrauber or Akku-Bohrschrauber

• English: Cordless screwdriver / driver drill

• Was sie macht: Driving screws quickly, assembling furniture, fittings, wall panels, etc.

• Warum wichtig: Saves loads of time compared to manual screwdrivers; especially useful when renovating many fixtures.

4. Leitern und Gerüst / Ladders and Scaffolding

• Deutsch: Leiter (ladder), Gerüst (scaffolding)

• English: Ladder, scaffolding

• Was sie macht: Gives you access to high areas — ceilings, upper walls, external facades.

• Warum wichtig: Safety. In German renovation (especially rental flats), you’ll be dealing with high ceilings or rooms where you need stable footing.

5. Spachtel und Glättkelle / Spatula and Finishing Trowel

• Deutsch: Spachtel (putty knife), Glättkelle (finishing trowel)

• English: Putty knife, finishing trowel

• Was sie macht: Filling holes/cracks, smoothing plaster or filler, applying putty under wallpaper or paint.

• Warum wichtig: For any decent finish you’ll want smooth surfaces – especially walls before painting or wallpapering.

6. Schleifer / Sander

• Deutsch: Bandschleifer, Exzenterschleifer, Schwingschleifer

• English: Belt sander, orbital sander, palm sander

• Was sie macht: Smoothing wood, removing old paint/lacquer, prepping surfaces for repainting or refinishing.

• Warum wichtig: If you have wooden floors, doors, skirting boards or furniture to refurbish – this tool is your friend.

7. Mess- und Prüfgeräte / Measuring & Testing Devices

• Deutsch: Maßband (tape measure), Laser-Distanz­messer, Wasserwaage (spirit level), Feuchtemessgerät (moisture meter)

• English: Tape measure, laser distance meter, spirit level, moisture meter

• Was sie macht: Ensures accuracy — correct dimensions, level surfaces, detecting damp before work.

• Warum wichtig: Errors in measurement cost money/time; German renovation culture emphasises precision.

8. Schutz- und Sicherheits­ausrüstung / Protective & Safety Equipment

• Deutsch: Schutzbrille (safety goggles), Gehörschutz (ear protection), Atemmaske (respirator mask), Arbeitshandschuhe (work gloves)

• English: Safety goggles, ear protection, respirator mask, work gloves

• Was sie macht: Protects you from dust, debris, loud noise, toxic materials.

• Warum wichtig: Safety laws and good practice in Germany. Plus, if you’re working in a building with tenants/in a multi-flat building, you’ll need to keep things clean and safe.

9. Abdeck- und Schutzmaterialien / Covering and Protection Materials

• Deutsch: Abdeckfolie (covering film), Malervlies (painting fleece), Staubschutzwand (dust protection wall)

• English: Covering film, painter’s fleece, dust protection wall

• Was sie macht: Protects furniture, floors, remaining areas from dust and damage during work.

• Warum wichtig: Good workmanship in Germany often means minimal mess and protection for the rest of the home/flat.

10. Bau- und Entsorgungs­geräte / Construction & Disposal Tools

• Deutsch: Bauschuttcontainer (rubble skip), Abbruchhammer (demolition hammer), Hochdruckreiniger (high-pressure cleaner)

• English: Rubble skip/container, demolition hammer, high-pressure cleaner

• Was sie macht: For major renovation you might need to break down walls, remove old parts, clean surfaces, and dispose of waste legally.

• Warum wichtig: German construction/renovation law emphasizes correct disposal of construction waste and proper clean-up.

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Useful Vocabulary Table

English	Deutsch	Usage tip
Drill	Bohrmaschine	“Ich brauche eine Bohrmaschine …”
Angle grinder	Winkelschleifer	“Mit dem Winkelschleifer schneiden wir …”
Cordless screwdriver	Akku-Schrauber	“Der Akku-Schrauber spart Zeit …”
Tape measure / Laser meter	Maßband / Laser-Distanzmesser	“Bitte das Maßband ziehen für die Regale.”
Spirit level	Wasserwaage	“Stell die Wasserwaage auf die Wand …”
Putty knife / finishing trowel	Spachtel / Glättkelle	“Die Spachtel verwenden wir für die Löcher.”
Safety goggles / respirator mask	Schutzbrille / Atemmaske	“Vergiss die Schutzbrille nicht!”
Covering film / painter’s fleece	Abdeckfolie / Malervlies	“Ich habe die Möbel mit Malervlies geschützt.”
Rubble skip / disposal container	Bauschuttcontainer	“Wir brauchen einen Bauschuttcontainer für den Abriss.”

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A few bonus tips for renovating in Germany 🇩🇪

• Legal & safety check: In Germany, even for DIY renovations, you may need to check rules around noise, disposal of waste, permits (especially structural changes).

• Quality counts: German tools and brands (see for example the company Knipex) emphasise durability and precision. 

• Plan ahead: Buying/renting some equipment ahead of time (like scaffolding or skips) can save time, delays or extra cost.

• Protect the rest of the home: Dust, debris, furniture damage — get your covering & protection materials ready.

• Save & document: Taking photos before/during helps for documentation (especially if you’re managing a flat renovation in Berlin, in a rental building or with neighbours).

And don’t forget to visit our website for more language and connector resources: https://konnektoren.help/ 😊