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The basic home toolkit: 20 tools that handle most repairs

You don't need a garage full of gear. About twenty well-chosen tools will get you through most of the fixes on this site, and most fit in one sturdy box.

Updated · 6 min read

Most home repairs need the same handful of tools. A loose cabinet hinge, a clogged toilet, a dripping faucet and a dead outlet all start with something from the list below. Buy these once, keep them together, and you'll be ready for most of the problems people search for.

Buy mid-range, not bargain-bin. Cheap screwdrivers strip screws and cheap pliers slip, which is how knuckles get skinned. You don't need professional-grade gear either. Our recommended starter toolbox lists specific picks if you want help choosing.

Everyday hand tools

These handle tightening, loosening, prying and hanging, the bread-and-butter jobs around the house.

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The cordless drill is the one bigger purchase. It drives screws far faster than a screwdriver, drills pilot holes, and makes jobs like fixing a door that won't latch much easier.

Plumbing basics

Plumbing problems feel urgent, so keep these where you can grab them fast.

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Two plungers is not overkill. A flange plunger seals in a toilet drain; a flat cup plunger seals on a sink or tub. Using the wrong one makes it hard to get the seal that does the work. See stopping a toilet overflow and unclogging a drain without chemicals.

Electrical safety

Even small electrical jobs, like replacing a light switch, start the same way: turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester.

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A non-contact voltage tester beeps or lights when you hold it near a live wire or outlet slot. Klein Tools' instructions say to check it on a circuit you know is working before and after each use, so you know the tester itself works. A tester that stays quiet isn't a guarantee, so treat every wire with care. Electrical work beyond swapping a like-for-like switch or outlet is usually a job for a licensed electrician.

Measuring and marking

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Measure twice before you buy a replacement part. Many return trips to the hardware store start with a guessed size. When you replace a part, take the old one with you, or snap a photo of it next to the tape measure so the store clerk can see its size.

Safety gear

Every guide on FixItCity starts with safety, and so does every toolbox. Keep this gear in the box so you're never tempted to skip it.

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A headlamp leaves both hands free under a sink or in a crawlspace. CPSC advises a wooden or fiberglass ladder, not metal, anywhere near power lines or electrical equipment. Learn the rules for using one safely in our home repair safety basics.

Nice to have later

Once the basics are covered, add tools as jobs come up rather than all at once: a caulk gun for recaulking a tub, a stud finder for hanging heavy things, a plug-in outlet tester, a socket set, a hex key set, a small handsaw, a wet/dry shop vacuum and a pry bar. Buying for a specific job means each tool gets used.

Keep your kit ready

  • Store everything in one box or bag in one spot the whole household knows.
  • Keep fresh batteries for the flashlight and voltage tester in the box.
  • Put things back after every job. A missing plunger at midnight is no fun.
  • Add the toolbox location to your home emergency card, next to your water shutoff and breaker panel.

Not sure whether a job suits your new tools? Try our fix-or-call quiz.

Common questions

What's the first tool a new homeowner should buy?

A good multi-bit screwdriver. It handles outlet covers, cabinet hinges, door hardware and battery compartments, which covers a surprising share of small jobs.

Do I really need a voltage tester?

Yes, if you'll ever touch a switch, outlet or light fixture. Turning off the breaker isn't proof the power is off. A non-contact voltage tester lets you confirm it before you touch any wires.

Should I buy a pre-made tool kit?

A kit can be a fine start for screwdrivers and sockets, but check what's inside. Many skip a plunger, voltage tester, safety glasses and a good flashlight, which you'll want on day one.

Where should I keep my tools?

In one box or bag, in one spot everyone in the house knows. Keep a flashlight with the kit so you can find it in a power outage.

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