A blocked drain, a wobbly shelf, a picture that needs hanging — most home problems are solved by the same small set of tools. Buy these once, keep them in one box, and you'll rarely need to call anyone.
The starter kit
- Claw hammer — hanging, light demolition, pulling nails.
- Screwdriver set — or a driver with interchangeable bits.
- Cordless drill — the single biggest upgrade to your capability.
- Tape measure — 5m is plenty.
- Spirit level — or use your phone's level app to start.
- Adjustable wrench and a set of pliers.
- Utility knife with spare blades.
- Allen key set — flat-pack furniture's best friend.
The consumables
- Assorted screws, nails, and wall plugs.
- Duct tape and electrical tape.
- A tube of multi-purpose sealant.
- WD-40 for squeaks and seized bolts.
💡
Build it gradually
Don't buy the biggest kit on day one. Start with a hammer, drill, and screwdriver set, then add tools as specific jobs come up.
Kit it out
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Checklist
- Hammer
- Screwdriver set or driver
- Cordless drill
- Tape measure & level
- Pliers & adjustable wrench
- Utility knife
- Screws, plugs, tape