Basic tool kit

The right equipment for the job
You can’t tackle any DIY job without the right equipment. You need to make sure you have the essentials and what you didn't get in the divorce settlement will have to be bought. Specialist tools can be hired.

Screwdrivers, like screws, come in all shapes and size. There are two common head ypes – slotted, with a flat straight tip, and Phillips, with a cross tip. It’s sensible to have a small selection of both, including an electrician's screwdriver for coping with the small screws found in plugs.

A hammer is, fairly obviously, used for knocking in nails but it is also useful for assembling and dismantling things that need a bit of brute force. The claw hammer is the best all-rounder. The claw part is used for pulling out old or badly driven nails.

A pair of pliers can be used for all sorts of useful gripping and pulling jobs. They also function as makeshift spanners for small nuts and bolts, and their jaws will cut wire.

An electric drill is essential for drilling holes in wood, plasterboard and brickwork. There are different types and sizes of drill bits, the pieces that fit into the jaws of the drill and actually cut the hole. Most holes that you make will require plastic wall plugs to be inserted to allow the screw to grip tight when being fastened into the wall.

A tape measure, preferably a retractable steel one that is long enough to measure the length of a room, will save much guesswork and return journeys to the DIY store.

Finally, whether you’re changing a light bulb or climbing up through the attic ceiling hatch, it’s always useful to have a set of sturdy step ladders at hand.

Dealing with the oh f**k! moments
If something goes terribly wrong that you really can’t cope with then apart from panic, what can you do?

Well, for the big three – electricity, gas and water – you can shut off the supply for the whole house. For electricity this means switching off at the main fuse box, or at least, disabling the relevant fuse for the part of the house you wish to isolate. The gas cut-off point usually consists of an on-off lever on the gas pipe near to the point where it enters the house. As well as individual cut-off points (under sinks etc), you should be able to stop the water supply to your house at a stop-cock located near where the mains pipe enters your home.

Getting a man in
This is probably the wisest option for those lacking confidence in their DIY skills. In any case it would be judicious to have a list of phone numbers on hand for essential tradesmen – plumbers, electricians, gas engineers – especially those that offer 24 hour call-out service. Deciding who to use can be tricky.

The best solution is to go for personal recommendation when possible, and always look out for professional accreditations (such as corgi registration for gas engineers).

Large items, such as boilers, can be covered by maintenance plans. Care plans can be tailored to your needs that give peace of mind when you need help in a hurry.

Also, make sure you are stocked up on replacement items, such as lightbulbs, batteries and fuses for electric plugs, and always have a decent torch handy should the lights go out. Additionally, a stock of candles and the matches with which to light them is a good idea and a bottle of wine to drink (plus corkscrew) while you wait for help to arrive.