What Tools Does a New Homeowner Need?
Moving into your first home comes with a surprise: a long list of small jobs. Curtains to hang. Shelves to put up. A cabinet door that won't close. A wobbly table.
Renters can call the landlord. Homeowners need tools. Here's the short list that covers almost everything in the first year.
The must-haves
1. A cordless drill/driver. This is the tool new homeowners use most. It drills holes for wall anchors and drives screws for shelves, curtain rods, TV mounts and furniture. Look for a kit that includes a battery, a charger and a set of bits, so it works on day one.
2. A screwdriver set. For small screws, outlet covers and tight spots where a drill won't fit. You want both flat and Phillips heads in a few sizes.
3. A hammer. For picture hooks, nails and tapping things into place.
4. A tape measure. For hanging art level, checking if a couch fits and measuring for curtains.
5. Pliers. For gripping, bending and pulling. A pair of regular and needle-nose pliers covers most jobs.
6. An adjustable wrench. For tightening nuts on faucets, toilets and furniture.
7. A utility knife. For opening the endless moving boxes, and for trimming carpet or caulk.
8. A level. So shelves and pictures don't hang crooked. Many phones have a level app that works in a pinch.
Nice to have later
- A stud finder for hanging heavy things safely
- A socket set for furniture and car jobs
- A step ladder for light bulbs and high shelves
- Hex keys for flat-pack furniture
Many hand tool kits include several of these in one case.
Drill or tool kit: which is the better gift?
If they don't own either, the drill usually gets used more, because hanging things is the first job in every new home. A hand tool kit is a great second gift, or a good pick for someone who already has a drill.
Together, they cover nearly every small job in a first home.
What to check before you buy a drill
- Battery and charger included. Some drills are sold as "tool only," with no battery. That's a bad surprise on Christmas morning.
- Two speeds. A low speed for driving screws and a high speed for drilling holes.
- Bits. A starter bit set means they can use it right away.
- Weight. A compact drill is easier to hold over your head when hanging curtains.
Smart gadgets are extras
Video doorbells and smart plugs are fun, but they need Wi-Fi and an app, and they don't fix anything. They're a nice extra gift for a tech fan, after the basics are covered.
Add a note
Tuck a card into the gift: "For your first shelf." It turns a tool into a memory of their first home.
For four new homeowner gifts compared on what they do, apps and what's in the box, see our best Christmas gifts for new homeowners.