Project Starters
Not sure what to buy before you start a project? Here’s a quick tool checklist for the repairs and DIY jobs that come up most often around the house — plus a note on when it’s worth calling in a professional instead.
Hanging Shelves & Picture Frames
Tools you’ll need:
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Drill/Impact driver with masonry bit
- Wall plugs and screws
- Pencil for marking
Tip: Always check what’s behind the wall (pipes, wiring) before drilling, especially in older buildings.
Assembling Flat-Pack Furniture
Tools you’ll need:
- Hex key set (most flat-pack ships with one, but a full set covers you if it’s missing or lost)
- Screwdriver set
- Rubber mallet (for tapping joints together without damaging them)
Tip: Lay out and count all parts and hardware before starting — it’s much easier to catch a missing piece before assembly than halfway through.
Fixing a Leaky Tap
Tools you’ll need:
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver set
- Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape)
- Replacement washer or O-ring (bring the old one to match it)
Tip: Turn off the water supply to that fixture before starting. If the leak is from the pipe itself rather than the tap fitting, or you’re not confident isolating the water supply, that’s a good point to call a plumber instead.
Painting a Room
Tools you’ll need:
- Paint rollers and brushes (a few sizes for edges vs. large surfaces)
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloths or old sheets
- Sandpaper (for smoothing rough patches before painting)
- Paint tray
Tip: Clean and lightly sand the wall surface before painting — most uneven-looking paint jobs are actually a surface-prep problem, not a paint problem.
Basic Carpentry & Shelving
Tools you’ll need:
- Tape measure and spirit level
- Circular saw or handsaw
- Drill/driver
- Sandpaper or sanding block
- Wood screws and wood glue
Tip: Measure twice before cutting — it’s the oldest advice in carpentry because it’s the most commonly ignored.
Basic Gardening Tasks
Tools you’ll need:
- Hand trowel
- Pruning shears
- Garden gloves
- Watering can or hose
Tip: Match your tool to the plant — pruning shears for stems and small branches, a saw for anything thicker than a finger.
When to Call a Professional
Some jobs are worth leaving to someone qualified rather than tackling with a tool list:
- Electrical work beyond swapping a bulb or a light fixture cover — wiring, switches, and sockets should go to a licensed electrician. The risk isn’t worth a DIY attempt.
- Gas fittings and appliances — always a job for a certified technician.
- Major plumbing — anything involving cutting into pipes or working on the main supply line.
- Structural changes — load-bearing walls, roofing, or anything affecting your home’s structure.
For everything else on this page, the right tools and a bit of care go a long way.
Still Not Sure What You Need?
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll point you to the right tools.