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When you move into your first home, it’s tempting to buy a giant tool set on day one. Most people end up using a small handful of those tools and never touching the rest. A better approach: buy the tools that handle the jobs every home needs (hanging things, tightening things, measuring, small repairs) and add the rest only when a project calls for it. This guide is that list.

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The quick answer

• The first five: cordless drill/driver, tape measure, level, hammer, and a screwdriver set (or multi-bit driver).
• Then add: pliers, utility knife, stud finder, flashlight or headlamp, and a shop vacuum.
• Safety gear counts as a tool. Safety glasses, work gloves and hearing protection before power tools.
• Pick one cordless battery platform and stick with it. Batteries are usually the expensive part.
• Wait on saws, sanders and specialty tools until you have a project that needs them.

Before you buy: think about these three things

1. What you’ll actually do in year one. For most new homeowners: hanging shelves, curtains, art and TVs; assembling furniture; tightening loose hardware; basic yard work. Buy for that.
2. The battery platform. Most cordless tool brands use batteries that only fit their own tools. Picking one brand for your first drill means later tools can share batteries.
3. Storage. A tool you can’t find doesn’t help. Plan a spot: a wall rail, a toolbox, or one shelf. See our Garage Storage Ideas Under $300.

How we chose these tools

1. How often a typical homeowner uses it.
2. How many different jobs it handles.
3. Beginner-friendliness and safety.
4. Value: a reasonable starter version is good enough for home use.
5. Honest drawbacks.

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10 tools new homeowners actually need

1. Cordless drill/driver

Our pick: RYOBI ONE+ 18V Compact Drill/Driver Kit (P1811) · Home Depot

• Best for: Drilling holes, driving screws, assembling furniture, hanging almost anything.
• Why it made the list: The single most-used power tool in most homes. If you buy one power tool, this is it.
• Watch out for: “Tool only” listings don’t include a battery or charger. Check what’s in the box. Ryobi refreshes its lineup often, so if this exact model is gone, pick the current ONE+ drill/driver kit.
• Typical price range: $80–$250 for a kit. Check current price

2. Tape measure

Our pick: Stanley FATMAX 25 ft Magnetic Tape Measure (FMHT33865L) · Home Depot

• Best for: Every project, and every furniture purchase.
• Why it made the list: Measuring before buying saves more money than any other tool.
• Watch out for: Cheap tapes have flimsy blades that bend when extended. A wider blade stays straighter.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

3. Level

Our pick: Empire 24 in True Blue Box Level · Blain’s Farm & Fleet (also Home Depot)

• Best for: Shelves, art, curtain rods, TV mounts.
• Why it made the list: Nothing makes a room look off like a crooked shelf. A 24-inch level covers most home jobs; a small torpedo level fits tight spots.
• Watch out for: Phone apps work in a pinch but aren’t as reliable on long items.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

4. Claw hammer

Our pick: Estwing 16 oz Curved Claw Hammer (E3-16C) · Coastal Tool (also Home Depot, Lowe’s)

• Best for: Nails, small demolition, prying.
• Why it made the list: Simple, durable, and you’ll use it more than you think.
• Watch out for: A very heavy hammer is tiring for small jobs. A mid-weight hammer suits most people.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

5. Screwdriver set or multi-bit driver

Our pick: Klein Tools 11-in-1 Screwdriver / Nut Driver (32500) · Klein Tools

• Best for: Outlet covers, battery compartments, cabinet hinges, small screws a drill would strip.
• Why it made the list: Some jobs need a gentle hand. A multi-bit driver takes up less space than a full set.
• Watch out for: Low-quality bits round off quickly. Check that common bit sizes are included.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

6. Pliers set (slip-joint, long-nose, groove-joint)

Our pick: IRWIN VISE-GRIP 3-Piece Traditional Pliers Set (2078704) · Toolnut (also Home Depot, Lowe’s)

• Best for: Gripping, bending, pulling nails, holding nuts.
• Why it made the list: Three pliers types cover a huge range of small fixes.
• Watch out for: Pliers are not wrenches; they can round off bolts. Add an adjustable wrench too.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

7. Utility knife

Our pick: Milwaukee FASTBACK Folding Utility Knife with Blade Storage (48-22-1502) · Milwaukee (also Home Depot)

• Best for: Opening boxes, cutting carpet, scoring drywall, trimming caulk.
• Why it made the list: You’ll use it constantly during move-in and after.
• Watch out for: A dull blade slips more. Pick one with easy blade changes and a blade lock.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

8. Stud finder

Our pick: Franklin Sensors ProSensor M150 Stud Finder · Franklin Sensors

• Best for: Hanging heavy items securely.
• Why it made the list: Mounting into studs is the difference between a shelf that holds and one that pulls out of the drywall.
• Watch out for: Results can be confusing on plaster or textured walls. Double-check by measuring between studs or using a small test hole in a hidden spot.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

9. Flashlight or headlamp

Our pick: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp · Black Diamond (also REI)

• Best for: Under sinks, in attics, in the breaker panel during an outage.
• Why it made the list: A headlamp keeps both hands free.
• Watch out for: Keep spare batteries, or choose a rechargeable model and keep it charged.
• Typical price range: Check current price.

10. Wet/dry shop vacuum

Our pick: CRAFTSMAN 2.5 Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vac (CMXEVBE17250) · Craftsman

• Best for: Drilling dust, garage cleanup, small water spills.
• Why it made the list: It handles messes a house vacuum shouldn’t, including water.
• Watch out for: Size matters. A huge tank is hard to store. Our pick is a compact 2.5-gallon model, which covers most home use.
• Typical price range: $60–$200. Check current price

Don’t skip: safety gear

Safety glasses, work gloves and hearing protection (for power tools and the shop vac). A basic first aid kit in the garage is worth having too.

What can wait

Circular saw, miter saw, sander, oscillating multi-tool, pressure washer. They’re great tools, but buy them when a specific project calls for them, ideally from the same battery platform as your drill.

Starter kit budget

Priority	Tools	Why
1	Drill/driver kit, tape, level, hammer, screwdrivers	Handles most move-in jobs
2	Pliers, utility knife, stud finder	Small fixes and safe mounting
3	Headlamp, shop vac, safety gear	Cleanup and safety
Later	Saws, sanders, specialty	Only when a project needs them

Prices change often, so check current prices before you shop.

FAQ

Should I buy a big pre-made tool set?
They can be good value, but many include tools you’ll never use. Check that the set covers the essentials above before choosing it over buying individually.

What size drill do I need?
For typical home tasks, a standard compact drill/driver is plenty. Higher-power models are for heavier construction work.

Corded or cordless?
Cordless for a drill, since convenience matters most. Corded can make sense for tools you use for long stretches.

Where should I store tools?
A wall rail or pegboard near your workspace keeps them visible. See our garage storage guide.

Next step

Related: Garage Storage Ideas Under $300 · New Homeowner Essentials Checklist

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