You don’t need a garage full of expensive equipment to maintain your home. But there are a handful of tools that every homeowner should have from day one. Here’s your no-nonsense starter kit.
The Essential Toolkit
Hammer You’ll use this more than almost anything else. Hanging pictures, assembling furniture, knocking things into place. Get a medium weight claw hammer — the claw end pulls nails out too.
Screwdriver Set Get a set that includes both flathead and Phillips head in multiple sizes. Even better, get a multi-bit screwdriver so you only need one handle.
Cordless Drill This is the one tool worth spending a bit more on. A good cordless drill lets you put up shelves, assemble furniture, and fix dozens of things around the house. Brands like Bosch, DeWalt, and Makita are reliable choices.
Tape Measure You’ll need this constantly — measuring for furniture, curtains, shelving, and more. Get one that’s at least 5 metres long.
Spirit Level Ensures your shelves and pictures are perfectly straight. Nothing looks worse than a wonky shelf.
Pliers Useful for gripping, bending, and cutting wire. A pair of slip-joint pliers covers most jobs.
Adjustable Wrench For tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. Much more versatile than a fixed spanner.
Utility Knife For cutting everything from cardboard to carpet. Always keep spare blades.
Torch For checking dark corners, fuse boxes, and under sinks. A head torch is even better — keeps your hands free.
Plunger Unclogs drains and toilets. Not glamorous, but absolutely essential.
Useful Extras to Add Over Time
- Stud finder — helps you locate wall studs before drilling
- Drain snake — for stubborn blockages a plunger can’t shift
- Cable and pipe detector — essential before drilling into any wall
- Ladder — a 2-step or 3-step ladder covers most indoor jobs safely
What to Buy First
If you’re starting from scratch, prioritise in this order:
- Screwdriver set
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Cordless drill
- Spirit level
You can add the rest as you need them. Don’t go and buy everything at once — you’ll end up with tools you never use.
Where to Buy
- Hardware stores like B&Q, Screwfix, or Toolstation for good value
- Amazon for competitive prices and reviews
- Marketplace apps for second-hand tools at a fraction of the cost — drills and hammers last decades if looked after
Having the right tool for the job makes everything easier, faster, and safer. Start small, build gradually, and you’ll be surprised how much you can handle yourself.