10 Essential Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

Moving into a new home is exciting, but sooner or later, something will break, squeak, or need hanging. You don't need a contractor's van full of gear, but a well-stocked basic toolbox is non-negotiable. Here are the 10 essential tools every homeowner should own.

1. Claw Hammer (16 oz)

The classic. Used for driving nails into walls for pictures and pulling them out when you make a mistake. A 16-ounce weight is perfect for general use—heavy enough to drive nails but light enough to control.

2. Tape Measure (25 ft)

"Measure twice, cut once." Whether you're buying furniture or hanging blinds, a sturdy, lockable 25-foot tape measure is indispensable.

3. Screwdriver Set

You'll encounter both flathead (slotted) and Phillips (cross-shaped) screws. Get a set with varying sizes, or a multi-bit screwdriver that stores the bits in the handle.

4. Adjustable Wrench

Also known as a Crescent wrench. The sliding jaw allows you to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of various sizes without needing a full socket set.

5. Utility Knife

From opening Amazon boxes to trimming carpet or scoring drywall, a sharp utility knife with replaceable blades is safer and more effective than using kitchen scissors.

6. Needle-Nose Pliers

Great for gripping small objects, bending wire, or reaching into tight spaces where your fingers can't fit. Most also include a wire cutting edge.

7. Cordless Drill/Driver

The only power tool on this "essential" list. A 12V or 18V cordless drill makes assembling furniture, drilling pilot holes, and driving long screws effortless.

8. Level (9-inch Torpedo)

Nobody likes crooked pictures or shelves. A small "torpedo" level fits in a drawer and ensures your installations are perfectly horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb).

9. Hex Key (Allen Wrench) Set

If you own anything from IKEA, you know these. While furniture comes with cheap ones, a proper set of metric and SAE hex keys gives you better leverage and won't strip the bolts.

10. Flashlight (LED)

Don't rely on your phone's flash. When you're looking under a sink or tripping a breaker in the dark, a dedicated, bright LED flashlight is a safety must-have.

Summary

With these 10 tools, you can handle 90% of the maintenance tasks a home throws at you. Start with quality basics, and build your collection as your skills grow.