Essential home tools: the basic kit for repairs and emergencies
The tools you need to fix small things yourself and cope after a storm, flood or earthquake. The basic list, what to buy first and what to leave for later.
In short
- The basic kit: tape measure, hammer, screwdriver set, pliers, adjustable wrench, utility knife, level, duct tape.
- The first power tool to buy: a cordless drill-driver.
- For emergencies: a wrench for the gas shut-off, a small pry bar, work gloves and plastic sheeting.
- Mid-range quality beats the cheapest: a tool that breaks the first time is no use in a crisis.
You don’t have to be handy to own a good toolkit. A basic kit lets you tighten a dripping tap, fix a cupboard to the wall (one of the most important earthquake preparations), cover a window broken in a storm or open a jammed door. In a crisis, when tradespeople are impossible to find, these things matter.
The basic kit
- 5-meter tape measure
- 300 to 500 g hammer
- Screwdriver set (flat, Phillips, Torx)
- Combination pliers and long-nose pliers
- Pipe wrench or water pump pliers (for pipes and valves)
- Adjustable wrench
- Hex (Allen) key set
- Utility knife with spare blades
- Spirit level
- Carpenter’s pencil and marker
- Duct tape and electrical tape
- Assorted wall plugs, screws and nails
- Work gloves and safety glasses
The first power tool
A cordless drill-driver covers most jobs around the home: assembling furniture, shelves, brackets for fixing cupboards to walls, small holes in wood or metal. For holes in concrete and brick you need a hammer drill or SDS drill.
Tools for emergencies
On top of the basic kit, a few things help in unexpected situations:
- The right wrench for the main gas shut-off and main water valve (and you know where they are!)
- A small pry bar (for a door jammed after an earthquake)
- Heavy plastic sheeting or a tarp, to cover a broken window or roof
- A staple gun to fix the sheeting
- Strong rope or ratchet straps
- Shovel and pick, if you have a garden
- A head torch next to the toolkit
- A hand saw, for fallen branches
How to organize it
- A toolbox or bag, with tools always in the same place.
- A contents list inside the lid.
- Keep it where anyone in the family can find it, not at the back of the storage unit.
What to leave for later
Angle grinders, circular saws and chainsaws are useful for big jobs but dangerous for anyone who doesn’t use them often. Buy them when you have a real need and learn to use them safely.
Know-how is worth more than tools
Learn a few basics: how to shut off water and gas, how to change a tap washer, how to fix a cupboard to the wall, how to reset a breaker in the electrical panel. For any work on gas or electrical installations (beyond resetting breakers), call a licensed professional.
Recommended equipment
What to look for when buying. Links go to partner shops; if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Details.
Cordless drill-driver
The first power tool to buy: drives screws, drills wood and metal, assembles furniture and shelves.
- 12 to 18 V, with two batteries
- Keyless chuck
- Fast charging and charge indicator
Screwdriver and bit set
Flat, Phillips and Torx, in several sizes.
Multi-tool
For the go bag and small repairs.
- Pliers, knife, screwdrivers, can opener
- Stainless steel, locking blade
Frequently asked questions
Is a ready-made 100-piece toolkit worth it?
Big kits look like good value but often contain lots of useless bits and poor-quality tools. Better to buy 10 to 15 good basic tools separately and add as you go.
Which tools matter for an emergency rather than DIY?
The right wrench for your gas and water shut-offs, a small pry bar for a door jammed after an earthquake, a hammer, a multi-tool, wide duct tape, heavy plastic sheeting to cover a broken window, work gloves and a head torch.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.