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. There is a separate guide on this.
- 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.
Got the tools but not the time? What furniture assembly costs and how to prepare for it is in the article on furniture assembly. Describe the job in the app and handymen will send you their offers.