The 12 Tools Every New Homeowner Actually Needs (and 5 You Don't)

By Steve · First Home Fix

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New homeowners tend to either buy nothing and panic at the first loose cabinet hinge, or buy everything and never use it. Here's the middle ground.

The 12 you'll actually use

1. Cordless drill/driver. The one power tool worth buying first. My pick: DEWALT 20V MAX drill/driver kit.
2. 25 ft tape measure
3. Claw hammer
4. 6-in-1 screwdriver
5. Adjustable wrench
6. Channel-lock pliers
7. Utility knife
8. 4 ft level
9. Stud finder
10. Caulk gun and silicone caulk
11. Plunger and drain snake
12. 6 ft step ladder

Rather grab one set that covers most of the hand tools? The CRAFTSMAN 57-piece home tool set is a solid, no-filler option.

The 5 you can skip for now

• Table saw. You won't need it for maintenance.
• Pressure washer. Rent one the one weekend a year you need it.
• Tile saw. Only for tile projects, and rentable.
• Air compressor. Nice to have, rarely needed at first.
• 200-piece "homeowner kits." Mostly filler you'll never touch.