You don’t need a van full of tools to handle basic home repairs. But you do need the right tools — the handful that cover 90% of household jobs. Buy these once, buy them decent, and you’ll handle everything from flat-pack furniture to hanging shelves without calling for help. Here’s the definitive list.

The essential toolkit (the magnificent seven)

1. Cordless drill/driver

The single most useful tool you can own. A decent 18V combi drill (£60–£120 — Bosch, Makita, DeWalt entry ranges) drills into wood, plasterboard and masonry (with the right bits) and drives screws effortlessly. Don’t buy the cheapest no-brand drill; the battery system matters — pick a brand and stick with it so batteries interchange across future tools. Include a basic bit set: twist bits for wood/metal, masonry bits, and a full range of driver bits (Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, flathead).

2. Screwdriver set

Yes, even with a drill. For electrical faceplates, small screws and delicate work, manual screwdrivers give control a drill can’t. Get a set with Phillips (PH1, PH2), Pozidriv (PZ1, PZ2 — the UK standard for most screws), flathead and Torx. A ratcheting screwdriver (£15) is a joy to use.

3. Hammer

A 16oz claw hammer (£12–£20). For nails, persuading things, and demolition. The claw pulls nails and pries. Don’t buy a tiny “DIY” hammer — the weight does the work.

4. Tape measure

5m/16ft, with a standout blade that doesn’t flop. (£8–£12.) You’ll use it on literally every job. The number one tool people underestimate — “eyeballing it” is how shelves end up crooked.

5. Spirit level

600mm is the versatile size (£10–£15). For hanging shelves, pictures, curtain rails — anything that must be straight. Your phone’s level app works in a pinch but a real level is faster and more accurate.

6. Adjustable spanner

One good adjustable spanner (£10–£15) handles most plumbing nuts, bolts and fittings. For serious plumbing work add a set of combination spanners, but one adjustable covers the basics — including tap washer changes.

7. Utility knife + saw

A retractable utility knife (£8) with spare blades — for opening, trimming, scoring. Plus a small panel saw or a Japanese pull saw (£15–£20) for cutting wood. Between these two, you can cut almost anything in a home.

The second tier (buy as needed)

• Pliers set — combination pliers and long-nose pliers (£15 for both). Gripping, bending, pulling.
• Stud/cable/pipe detector (£20–£40) — essential before drilling any wall. Non-negotiable safety kit.
• Allen key set (£8) — flat-pack furniture runs on these. A folding set lives in a drawer forever.
• Clamps — one or two quick-grip clamps (£10 each). An extra pair of hands for gluing and holding.
• Step ladder — a proper 3–4 tread stepladder (£40–£60), not a kitchen chair. Falls from chairs send thousands to A&E yearly.
• Head torch (£10) — for lofts, under sinks, behind appliances. You’ll wonder how you lived without it.
• Caulking gun (£8) — for sealant and adhesive. The cheap skeleton guns work fine.
• Multimeter (£15) — for basic electrical testing (batteries, fuses, checking if something’s live). Learn to use it before you need it.

Safety gear (not optional)

• Safety glasses (£5) — drilling, cutting, anything overhead.
• Dust mask (£8 for FFP3 pack) — sanding, loft work, sweeping.
• Work gloves (£10) — handling rough timber, rubble, sharp metal.
• Ear defenders (£10) — for prolonged drilling or sawing.
• Knee pads (£12) — for flooring work. Your 50-year-old self says buy these now.

What NOT to buy (yet)

• Specialist tools for one job — hire them. A tile cutter for one bathroom (£40 to buy, £15 to hire for a weekend).
• Cheap multi-tools with 200 pieces — the quality is awful. Buy individual tools as you need them.
• Anything powered you haven’t learned to use safely — angle grinders and circular saws injure thousands of DIYers yearly. Respect them or hire a pro.

Where to buy

Screwfix and Toolstation beat general DIY sheds on price and range for tools. For hand tools, the mid-range (Stanley, Bahco, Irwin) hits the sweet spot — avoid the absolute cheapest, which break and frustrate. Buy the drill from a proper power-tool brand; buy consumables (blades, bits, sandpaper) in bulk online.

Storing it

A single toolbox or tool bag (£20–£30) that lives in one place. The biggest enemy of DIY isn’t lack of skill — it’s not being able to find the tape measure. Everything in one box, box in one place, always put it back. Future you, mid-job, will be grateful.

Building your kit over time: the smart order

Don’t buy everything at once. Build in this order, adding as jobs demand:

1. Month 1: tape measure, screwdrivers, hammer, spirit level, utility knife (£50–£70). Handles flat-pack, pictures, basic fixes.
2. Month 3: cordless drill + bit set (£70–£120). Opens up 80% of DIY — shelves, curtain rails, flat-pack in minutes.
3. Month 6: adjustable spanner, pliers, stud/cable detector, step ladder (£60–£90). Plumbing basics and safe drilling.
4. Year 1: saw, clamps, caulking gun, head torch, full safety gear (£60–£80). Proper project capability.

Total after a year: £250–£350 for a kit that handles almost everything a home throws at you. Compare that to two plumber callouts and a handyman visit — the tools pay for themselves within months. And each job you complete builds the confidence for the next one. That’s the real return on investment.

Tool maintenance: making them last

• Clean after use: wipe down tools before putting them away. Dried paint, plaster and rust are what kill tools, not use.
• Oil moving parts: a drop of 3-in-1 oil on pliers, spanners and saws yearly prevents seizing.
• Sharpen blades: blunt tools are dangerous tools — they slip and need excessive force. A £10 sharpening stone keeps chisels, knives and plane blades keen.
• Store dry: damp sheds rust tools fast. A toolbox with silica gel packets, or just keeping them indoors, doubles their life.
• Batteries: store cordless batteries at 40–60% charge in a cool place, not on the charger indefinitely. They’ll last years longer.

For DIY safety specifically, the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance covers the common causes of DIY injuries — worth 10 minutes before you pick up a power tool for the first time.

The takeaway

The tools you need for basic home repairs: a cordless drill, screwdrivers, hammer, tape measure, spirit level, adjustable spanner, utility knife and saw — plus safety glasses, dust mask and gloves. Around £200–£300 total for decent versions that last decades. Buy once, store together, and you’ll be amazed how many “call someone” jobs become 20-minute DIY wins.