What's in the box? Essential tools for every homeowner

For new homeowners, the excitement of owning a property often comes with a long to-do list, and one of the first things on that list should be assembling a practical household tool kit.

Even if you have no intention of becoming a DIY expert, having the right tools on hand can save you plenty of time, money and stress by enabling you to handle many small repairs and home improvements with confidence, instead of calling in expensive professional help. Tasks like changing plugs, hanging pictures, or removing a door lock to get extra keys cut become hassle-free with the right tools.   

And you don't have to invest in a whole lot of expensive tools all at once. You can start with the essentials and build up your collection as necessary. You should also scout second hand outlets and charity shops which often have basic tools in good condition available for a fraction of the price of new ones.

Things that every homeowner should have in their tool kit include:

*A light hammer. This is a versatile tool that's useful for driving in nails, tapping objects into place and minor carpentry tasks.

*A screwdriver set. You should invest in a set with various bits for different sizes and types of screws. This will come in handy for assembling flat-pack furniture, fixing loose handles, changing plugs and many other tasks around the home.

*A pair of pliers. These are useful for gripping, twisting and cutting wires or small objects. They are essential for many other minor fixes and repairs to electric equipment.

*A small spirit level. Ensuring that everything is level is crucial for hanging pictures, installing shelves, or mounting a TV securely on the wall.

*A tape measure. Accurate measurements are essential for any home repair or improvement project, from hanging new curtains to calculating how many square meters of new tiles you need for the bathroom. 

*Nails and screws. A selection of nails and screws in the most common sizes will save the day when hanging frames, repairing loose fittings, or securing loose items.

*Wood and plaster fillers. Imperfections on walls or furniture can easily be filled and smoothed with these fillers before painting or finishing.

*Sandpaper. This is essential for smoothing rough edges and surfaces and you should keep a few sheets in various grades of roughness,

*Insulation and masking tape are indispensable items for quick electrical fixes and for achieving a straight edge when you're painting or varnishing.

*A general-purpose glue. You will need this for various repair jobs, sticking items together and fixing minor cracks in household items. You can add cold glue if you're working with wood and silicone for caulking in bathrooms and kitchens.

Most of these items will fit easily into a modest toolbox - but you should know that successful DIY can be habit-forming due to the sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency it creates.

Once homeowners realize the convenience and satisfaction of completing small projects themselves, it often ignites a desire to tackle more significant tasks. And this could easily lead to the steady expansion of your tool kit to include power tools such as a drill, sander, saw and angle grinder. In fact, with an ever-growing list of projects you are happy to handle, you might even find yourself building your own workshop before long...