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The short version
- Day oneHand tools, boots, a bag. Around £150–250.
- First few monthsCombi drill and impact driver on one battery platform.
- LaterSaws and specialist kit, once you know what your firm does.
- Biggest lessonAsk what your gaffer uses before buying any power tool.
Most tool lists are written for someone ten years in. This one is for day one. It's split by when you'll actually need things, so you're not spending money on kit that sits in the bag.
Already qualified? Skip to Tier 3 or the combi drill guide.
Three common first-year mistakes
- Buying a cheap 100-piece set. You'll use a handful of pieces. Buy fewer, better tools one at a time.
- Buying a drill before asking. If your firm runs one battery brand and you buy another, you can't share batteries or chargers.
- Going cheap on boots. They won't last a winter. More on that in the boots guide.
Tier 1: Day one
These go in your bag before your first day. You'll use every one of them.
| Tool | Why | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Tape measure (8m) | On your belt all day. Get one with a wide, stiff blade. | Screwfix |
| Claw hammer (20oz) | A decent weight for nails without wrecking your wrist. | Screwfix |
| Carpenter's pencils | You'll lose them constantly. Buy a box. | Screwfix |
| Combination square | Marking square and 45° lines. Used more than anything except the tape. | Screwfix |
| Utility knife | Scribing, opening packs, sharpening pencils. | Screwfix |
| Hand saw | A hardpoint saw does most jobs. Bin it when it's blunt. | Screwfix |
| Chisel set | Four or five bevel-edge chisels. Learn to sharpen them early. | Screwfix |
| Spirit levels | A short and a long one. Don't drop them, they go out. | Screwfix |
| Tool bag | Smaller than you think. You carry it every day. | Screwfix |
PPE you'll need on day one
| Item | Why | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Safety boots | Non-negotiable on site. Don't go cheap. | Screwfix |
| Safety glasses | Keep a spare pair in the bag. | Screwfix |
| Ear defenders | Saws are louder than you think, every day. | Screwfix |
| FFP3 masks | For cutting MDF and sanding. The dust is nasty. | Screwfix |
Tier 2: First few months
Wait a few weeks. Watch what you borrow most, and ask what battery platform the firm uses. Then buy.
| Tool | Why | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 18V combi drill | Drills wood, metal and masonry, and drives screws. Your main power tool. See the combi drill guide. | Screwfix |
| 18V impact driver | Drives long screws all day without wrecking your wrist. Same batteries as your drill. | Screwfix |
| Drill bit set | Wood and masonry bits to start. Add sizes as you need them. | Screwfix |
| Block plane | Taking a hair off a door edge. Quiet and quick. | Screwfix |
| Sliding bevel | Copying awkward angles. You'll need it on roofs and stairs. | Screwfix |
| Nail punch set | Sinking nail heads on skirting and architrave. | Screwfix |
Tip: buy your first drill as a kit with two batteries and a charger. After that, buy tools "body only" (without a battery) to save money.
Tier 3: Later on
Only when your work needs them. Most firms already have these on site.
| Tool | When you'll want it | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-tool | Cutting door casings and skirting in place. Brilliant for second fix. | Screwfix |
| Circular saw | Sheet materials and long straight cuts. | Screwfix |
| Jigsaw | Curves and cut-outs. | Screwfix |
| Mitre saw | Skirting, architrave, anything angled. Big, so only once you've got a van. | Screwfix |
What to skip in year one
- Big tool sets with hundreds of pieces.
- A rolling tool chest. Nowhere to put it.
- Tools from a different battery brand to your drill.
- A mitre saw before you've got transport.
Rough budget
| Tier | When | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Day one + PPE | Before you start | £150–250 |
| First few months | Months 1–6 | £250–450 |
| Later | When you need it | Varies |
Prices move a lot. Wait for Black Friday or January sales for the big stuff, and ask your employer about a tool allowance.