By Estelle | HerWorkshop.co.uk
Buying your first home is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. And then reality hits: the shelves need hanging, the flat pack furniture needs assembling, the tap is dripping, and you have approximately zero tools to deal with any of it.
I’ve been there. When I moved into my first house five years ago, I had to build an entire toolkit almost from scratch — and I made plenty of mistakes along the way. This guide is everything I wish someone had handed me on moving day.
Whether you want a ready-made kit to get you started, or you’re building your collection tool by tool, I’ve got you covered.
Do You Need a Pre-Made Kit or Individual Tools?
This is the first question to ask yourself. Here’s the honest answer:
- Buy a pre-made kit if you’re starting with zero tools and need to be functional fast. A good kit under £60 covers 90% of basic homeowner tasks.
- Buy individually if you already have some tools, or if you’re serious about quality — building your own kit means every tool earns its place.
My recommendation: start with a solid hand tool kit for the basics, then add power tools as you tackle bigger projects.
💬 Estelle’s note: When I bought my house, I didn’t have a single tool to my name. I wish someone had told me to invest slightly more upfront — cheap tools are frustrating to use and often need replacing within a year. Buy once, buy reasonably well.
What Every New Homeowner Actually Needs
The Non-Negotiables
- Cordless combi drill — the single most useful tool you’ll own. Drills, screws, masonry. Get one with hammer function for UK brick walls.
- Claw hammer — for nails, general knocking, and that satisfying thwack.
- Tape measure — 5m minimum. You’ll use this constantly.
- Spirit level — don’t hang anything without it.
- Screwdriver set — both flathead and Phillips, multiple sizes.
- Pliers — needle-nose and standard.
- Stanley knife / utility knife — you’ll reach for this more than you expect.
- Allen key set — essential for flat pack assembly.
- Adjustable spanner — for plumbing and general tightening.
- Torch or headlamp — for dark corners, lofts and under-sink jobs.
Highly Recommended Additions
- Stud finder — before you drill into any wall.
- Jigsaw — incredibly versatile once you’re comfortable with it.
- Sealant gun — for bathrooms, kitchens, window frames.
- Knee pads — laughed at until you’ve spent a day on hard floors.
Our Top Pre-Made Kit Picks
🥇 Best All-Round Starter Kit — Stanley 142-Piece Mixed Tool Set
💰 Price: ~£55–£70 | Hand tools | 142 pieces
Stanley is one of the most trusted names in hand tools, and this 142-piece set gives you a genuinely comprehensive starting point. You get screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, a hammer, a tape measure, a level, and a solid carry case to keep it all together.
The quality is noticeably better than no-name sets at a similar price — the screwdrivers feel solid in the hand, the pliers grip properly, and the case is sturdy enough to survive the boot of a car. This is the kit I’d give as a housewarming gift without hesitation.
Best for: First-time homeowners who want a reliable foundation of hand tools in one go.
- ✅ Trusted brand with good build quality
- ✅ Comprehensive 142-piece set covers most basic tasks
- ✅ Solid carry case included
- ❌ Doesn’t include power tools
- ❌ Some bits feel slightly flimsy
🥈 Best Budget Kit — WORKPRO 75-Piece Home Repair Tool Kit
💰 Price: ~£30–£40 | Hand tools | 75 pieces
If you want to spend as little as possible and still have something functional, the WORKPRO kit is the best value option I’ve found. It comes in a heavy-duty nylon bag with multiple pockets — more practical than a rigid case for moving around the house.
You get a claw hammer, pliers, a spirit level, screwdriver bits, and a selection of fixings. It won’t last forever, but it will absolutely get you through your first year of homeownership while you figure out which tools you actually need to upgrade.
Best for: Renters who’ve just bought their first home and need tools without spending much.
- ✅ Excellent value for money
- ✅ Practical carry bag with pockets
- ✅ Includes a useful box of fixings
- ❌ Not professional quality
- ❌ Some tools feel lightweight
🥉 Best Power Tool Starter Kit — Ryobi ONE+ 18V Twin Pack
💰 Price: ~£150–£180 | Cordless | Combi drill + impact driver + 2 batteries
If you’re ready to invest in cordless power tools from day one, Ryobi’s ONE+ system is the best entry point for new homeowners. This twin pack gives you a combi drill (with hammer function for masonry) and an impact driver — the two most-used power tools in any home — plus two batteries and a charger.
The ONE+ battery system covers over 200 tools, so every tool you buy in this ecosystem later can use the same battery. The fuel gauge on the battery is a genuinely useful touch, so you always know when you’re running low.
Best for: New homeowners who want to invest in a cordless system from the start and expand over time.
- ✅ 2 tools + 2 batteries + charger in one purchase
- ✅ ONE+ ecosystem — 200+ compatible tools
- ✅ Battery fuel gauge
- ✅ Hammer function for UK brick walls
- ❌ Ryobi is homeowner-grade, not pro — may need upgrading for heavy use
⭐ Best Investment Kit — DeWalt 18V XR Twin Pack
💰 Price: ~£220–£280 | Cordless | Combi drill + impact driver + 2 x 5Ah batteries
If I were starting from scratch today knowing what I know now, this is what I’d buy. DeWalt’s 18V XR system is the professional standard for a reason — the build quality is exceptional, the brushless motor delivers serious power, and the battery ecosystem is enormous.
Yes, it costs more upfront. But every additional DeWalt tool you buy can run on the same 18V XR batteries — and there are dozens of them: jigsaws, circular saws, sanders, multi-tools, even hoovers. I’ve been building my DeWalt collection for years precisely because I wanted everything running on the same batteries, and it has made my workshop so much more efficient.
The 5Ah batteries included in this kit are large capacity — you’ll get a serious amount of use before needing to recharge.
💬 Estelle’s note: DeWalt is my personal brand of choice, and battery compatibility is the biggest reason. I now own a DeWalt drill, jigsaw, multi-tool, sander and circular saw — all running on the same 18V XR batteries. When you’re in the middle of a project and the battery dies, you just swap it over from another tool. It’s genuinely transformative for how you work.
Best for: Homeowners who are serious about DIY and want to invest in tools that will last a decade.
- ✅ Brushless motor — more power and longer battery life
- ✅ Exceptional build quality and durability
- ✅ Huge 18V XR tool ecosystem
- ✅ 5Ah batteries for long runtime
- ✅ 7-year warranty when registered
- ❌ Higher price point
Comparison Table
| Kit | Type | Pieces/Tools | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley 142-Piece | Hand tools | 142 pieces | ~£60 | All-round starter |
| WORKPRO 75-Piece | Hand tools | 75 pieces | ~£35 | Budget starter |
| Ryobi ONE+ Twin Pack | Power tools | 2 tools + 2 batteries | ~£165 | Cordless ecosystem starter |
| DeWalt 18V XR Twin Pack | Power tools | 2 tools + 2 x 5Ah | ~£250 | Long-term investment |
My Honest Advice
Don’t try to buy everything at once. Here’s the order I’d suggest:
Start with a decent hand tool kit (Stanley or similar), then invest in a combi drill with hammer function. Those two things will handle 80% of what your first year of homeownership throws at you.
From there, add tools as projects demand them. Laying flooring? Get a jigsaw. Painting? Get a decent roller and tray set. Each project will teach you what you need next.
And when you’re ready to commit to a power tool ecosystem — think carefully about which brand. Because once you’re in, you’re in. I chose DeWalt and I’ve never looked back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools should every homeowner have?
At minimum: a combi drill, hammer, tape measure, spirit level, screwdriver set, pliers, Stanley knife and Allen keys. With those seven things you can tackle the vast majority of day-to-day home tasks.
How much should I spend on a starter tool kit?
A decent hand tool kit runs £35–£70. Add a combi drill for another £80–£150 and you have everything you need to start. Total budget: £120–£220 gets you properly equipped.
Should I buy Ryobi or DeWalt as a beginner?
Both are excellent. Ryobi is more affordable and perfect for lighter DIY use. DeWalt is a bigger investment but the quality and range of tools in the ecosystem is outstanding. If you’re planning to tackle serious projects, DeWalt is worth the premium.
Do I need a combi drill or a regular drill?
Always get a combi drill (one with hammer function). UK homes have brick internal walls — you’ll need hammer mode for masonry fixings, and it’s not worth buying twice.
Final Verdict
For most new homeowners, the combination of a Stanley hand tool kit and a Ryobi ONE+ combi drill gives you everything you need to get started without breaking the bank.
If you can stretch the budget, skipping straight to the DeWalt 18V XR system is an investment you won’t regret — it’s what I did (eventually), and it transformed how I work around the house.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you get started. The skills come quickly once you do. 🔧
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever recommend tools I genuinely believe in.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments below — I’m happy to help! 🔧