For starters, we’re assuming that you have everything in Wirecutter’s guide to essential tools for basic home repair, which includes some common hand tools plus a cordless drill.
Beyond those basics, there’s a case to be made for dozens of tools that each deserve a spot in the kit of an up-and-coming DIYer. Sure, there are different schools of thought about what you ought to buy: Some experts and DIYers recommend lots of specialized hand tools. Others will tell you that you can’t get by without heavy-duty power tools. Some tools focus on carpentry and renovation, while others cover repairs and maintenance.
But you can find some common threads in all of that advice, and that’s what we’ve tried to pull together here. Our suggestions here are guided by the wisdom of Wirecutter senior staff writer Doug Mahoney, who worked in high-end home construction for a decade before becoming Wirecutter’s tool expert and home-improvement specialist.
We’ve kept our list intentionally short so that it’s approachable and not too expensive. You’re certain to need more tools than this, but it’s the set that any homeowner should get a lot of value from. Everything here meets at least two of the following criteria:
- Pays for itself: Tools aren’t free, but some of them can save you big bucks in comparison with hiring a pro. And plenty of repairs and minor upgrades don’t need a pro’s touch.
- Works for a bunch of different projects: We looked for jack-of-all-trades tools to keep costs down and clutter to a minimum.
- Offers a big advantage over another, less-expensive tool: It either does something unique or is much faster, more precise, or more effective in some important way.
This is also the type of list that I wish I’d had a couple of years ago, after I bought a house and grew frustrated with high costs, inconsistent communication, and sometimes mediocre results when I hired professionals.
