The short answerMost homes need a mid-size kit with a 16 oz claw hammer, a 25 ft tape measure, screwdrivers and pliers. Add an adjustable wrench, a level and a utility knife, and it runs $50 to $100. Ignore the piece count and look at the size of the tools.
What to buy
Renters and first apartments
Basic kit, about 40 to 70 pieces, in a case
Covers hanging pictures, building flat-pack furniture and tightening loose handles. The tools are often on the small side, and heavy use wears them out.
$25 to $50
See options on Amazon →Most homes
Mid-size kit with a 16 oz hammer and a 3/8 in ratchet set
Full-size tools plus sockets for furniture bolts, bikes and appliances. You'll still want to add a cordless drill before long.
$50 to $100
See options on Amazon →Starting from zero
Hand tool kit bundled with a cordless drill
One box and you can drill, drive and hang almost anything. Bundled drills are often weak with small batteries, so check for at least 12V and a real charger.
$80 to $150
See options on Amazon →Buy once, piece by piece
8 to 10 separate full-size tools in a tool bag
You choose a better hammer, tape and pliers than any kit includes. It costs more and takes a little shopping.
$90 to $150
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Borrow one-off tools like pipe wrenches, tile cutters and stud finders. The basics here get used often enough to own.
What the numbers mean
- Piece count
- Every tiny screwdriver bit, hex key and zip tie counts as a piece. A 200-piece kit can hold fewer useful tools than a 60-piece one.
- Hammer weight
- 16 oz is the all-around size for nails, picture hooks and light demolition. Kits with an 8 oz hammer are saving space at your expense.
- Tape measure
- 25 ft covers any room in the house. A blade about 1 in wide stays stiff when you extend it across a gap.
- Ratchet drive size
- 1/4 in drive handles small fasteners, and 3/8 in handles most household and furniture bolts. If the kit has one, 3/8 in is the one to have.
- SAE and metric
- SAE is measured in inches and metric in millimeters. Flat-pack furniture and bikes are mostly metric, so get both.
What not to pay for
- Paying for 200 pieces
Big numbers come from bags of bits and fasteners. Count the full-size tools instead.
- Shrunken tools
Some kits use short pliers and stubby screwdrivers to fit a small case. Small tools give less grip and make every job harder.
- A kit when you need 3 tools
Hanging pictures takes a hammer, a tape measure and a small level. Bought separately, that's about $30.
Wear safety glasses when you hammer, pry or cut. Slide the utility knife blade back in every time you set it down.
Questions
What tools should every home have?
A 16 oz claw hammer, a 25 ft tape measure, a multi-bit screwdriver, slip-joint and needle-nose pliers, and an adjustable wrench. Add a utility knife, a small level, hex keys and a flashlight. A cordless drill comes next.
Is a bigger tool set better?
Rarely. Past about 60 to 100 pieces, most of the extra count is duplicate bits and tiny sockets. Bigger tools beat more tools.
Do I need a cordless drill in my first kit?
If you plan to hang shelves, curtain rods or a TV, yes. A drill makes starter holes and drives screws in seconds. For pictures and furniture assembly, hand tools are enough.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.