The 10 tools every home needs
You don't need a full workshop. You need 10 things. Here's exactly what to buy, what to spend, and what each one will be used for.
The number one reason people call a tradesperson for a job they could do themselves is that they don't have the right tools. Here's the minimum viable toolkit for any home.
The list
1. Screwdriver set (flat + Phillips) — £5–15 2. Cordless drill — £30–60 3. Tape measure — £3–8 4. Spirit level — £5–15 5. Hammer — £8–20 6. Adjustable spanner — £8–15 7. Pliers — £5–12 8. Stanley knife — £3–8 9. Radiator bleed key — £1–3 10. PTFE tape — £1–3
What this costs in total
Buying the minimum of each: around £75–160. Buying mid-range quality: around £120–200. These tools will last 20+ years with basic care. A single plumber's callout costs more than half this list. Buy them once.
What to buy first
If you're starting from nothing: get the screwdriver set and tape measure first (£10–25 total). They'll get you through flat-pack furniture, minor repairs, and measuring up for everything else. Add the drill when you need to hang shelves or curtain poles. The rest can wait until you actually need them.
The one tool most people forget
The radiator bleed key. It costs £1.50 and most people don't own one. It fits in a keychain. Every October you'll use it to bleed your radiators and save money on your heating bill. Buy it now, before you need it.
What not to buy
Don't buy a full toolkit set in a plastic case from a supermarket. The screwdrivers snap, the spanners slip, and you end up buying proper tools anyway. Better to buy four good tools than sixteen bad ones. Brands: Stanley, Bahco, and Draper are all reliable mid-range options available everywhere.
The full breakdown
1. Screwdriver set (flat + Phillips)
£5–15Flat-pack furniture, light switches, curtain brackets, literally everything.
2. Cordless drill
£30–60Shelves, curtain poles, mirrors, anything that needs a hole or a driven screw.
3. Tape measure
£3–8Before every job — measuring windows for curtains, wall space for shelves, floors for furniture.
4. Spirit level
£5–15Shelves, curtain poles, pictures — anything that looks obviously wrong when unlevel.
5. Hammer
£8–20Picture hooks, tapping things into place, light demolition, pulling nails.
6. Adjustable spanner
£8–15Taps, pipes under sinks, nuts and bolts on furniture and appliances.
7. Pliers
£5–12Gripping small parts, twisting wire, holding pipes while you tighten a joint.
8. Stanley knife
£3–8Cutting carpet, vinyl, opening packaging, scoring wallpaper, trimming sealant.
9. Radiator bleed key
£1–3Bleeding radiators every autumn. Takes 5 minutes, saves real money on heating bills.
10. PTFE tape
£1–3Wraps around pipe threads before fitting to prevent leaks. Essential for any plumbing.