A basic toolkit at home is not about becoming a handyman — it’s about not calling a professional every time a shelf needs a screw. Here’s a practical list for anyone living in a Warsaw apartment.
The Core Set: Start Here
- Hammer: 300–500 g, for nails, anchors, light assembly.
- Cordless drill-driver — covers 80% of home tasks. Get one with two batteries.
- Screwdrivers: flat and Phillips in multiple sizes. Cheap ones strip screws fast.
- Spirit level, 40–60 cm: no straight shelf without it.
- 5 m metal tape measure — with a locking button.
- Adjustable wrench: for taps, siphons, radiator valves.
- Utility knife: packaging, laminate, cables.
- Pliers and wire cutters — both, separately.
Second-Tier Tools: When You Want to Do More
If you’re tackling minor repairs yourself, add these:
- Stud and pipe detector: essential before drilling any wall. We cover this in a separate guide.
- Caulking gun — for sealing baths, windows, door frames.
- Filling knives: for small plaster repairs.
- Multimeter: to check voltage or cable continuity. Safety note: always switch off the circuit breaker before any electrical work. When in doubt, call a licensed electrician.
What to Avoid When Buying
A discount set for next to nothing rarely survives a year of real use. Brands worth the money at a home-user level: Makita, Bosch Green line, Stanley, or Polish-made Yato for hand tools. A 200-piece bit set looks great in the box: you’ll use maybe 10 of them.
Storage Tips
A plastic toolbox with compartments is the minimum. Always wipe metal tools dry before storing — rust forms faster than you’d expect even in a dry Warsaw flat. One habit, zero regrets.
When Tools Are Not Enough
Small fixes: absolutely, do it yourself. But pressurized leaks, rewiring, or gas appliance installation are a different story. Describe the job in the app, and a handyman in your part of Warsaw will take it on.