Not everyone who owns a house was born to build a deck, retile the bathroom floor or rip out an old plaster ceiling in the living room. But sometimes the only way to get jobs done around the house is to do it yourself.

Even if you're an un-handy homeowner, you have to be prepared if your plumber avoids repeated calls about the showerhead that won't stop dripping, or if the local handyman is booked through the end of next June. That's when it's time to dive into your own toolbox, the one stocked with just the right stuff for hanging a picture, tightening the oven door and making scores of other minor repairs.

Our list includes a baker's dozen of essential tools for homeowners. Outfit your toolbox with all of these items and you'll pay less than $250" a small price for the years of service they'll deliver.

A frequent contributor to Smart HomeOwner, Charles Self is the author of more than 40 books and numerous articles on woodworking, do-it-yourself and tool subjects. He lives in Bedford, Va.

Screwdriver set 9

A basic kit of screwdrivers may get used as much as any tool in the house. Look for a set that includes several types of blades, such as a No. 2 Phillips, a No. 2 square-drive and a 3/16-inch flat blade for conventionally slotted screws. To save space, consider an all-in-one screwdriver that uses a common handle for any one of several hex-drive tips. A basic screwdriver set costs about $14.

Measuring tape 0

Contractors usually carry 30-foot tapes, but a 12- or 16-foot model is plenty for most of us. Tape measures with wider blades are sturdier and can be extended farther without collapsing. These tapes, from Lufkin and Stanley, are priced at around $12 to $15.

Cordless drill -

A screwdriver as well as hole-maker, the cordless drill is a versatile helpmate. This Ryobi has 24 clutch settings, helpful for countersinking screws in different materials, and a keyless chuck. Builders invest in cordless tools with batteries up to 24 volts, but this 9.6-volt drill is lighter and less expensive. It's priced at about $30.

Adjustable wrenches 8

You can use adjustable wrenches when tackling anything from loose toilet bolts and supply-line nuts to bicycle wheels and the loose handle on your oven door. This set of three wrenches" 6, 8 and 10 inches long" will be more than enough to handle just about anything an average household can throw at it. When choosing wrenches, look for ones that are drop-forged chrome-plated steel. Good sets are priced from about $15.

Stud finder 9

A good-quality electronic stud finder is the tool of choice for locating structural framing before you hang a heavy painting or shelving unit. Driving a series of test holes with a finish nail may work just as well, but it leaves a mess. Look for a stud finder that probes to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Newer models indicate the center as well as the edges of a stud, and some also are capable of finding hidden electrical cables. This StudSensor Pro SL from Zircon is available for about $20, battery included.

Torpedo or laser level 0

A short level, like this 9-inch model from

Stanley, can help you hang pictures or get the right pitch on a drain line. If you want to spend a little more money, try a laser level, which starts at as little as $12. Torpedo

levels start at around $5.

Utility knife 0

16-ounce curved-claw hammer -

A hammer is just the ticket for driving upholstery tacks, reassembling bookcases and repairing window frames that have started to come apart. Look for one that has a no-maintenance fiberglass or steel handle with a rubber grip, like this Stanley AntiVibe. It's priced at $28.

Block plane -

A small block plane is ideal for trimming wood doors and drawers that stick. Although many manufacturers offer block planes, we recommend two models: A $60 wood-bodied plane from E.C. Emmerich, a German company, and the Veritas apron plane by Lee Valley. It's priced at about $90. You can use both of these planes right out of the box.

Allen wrenches -

These six-sided lengths of steel formed into L shapes fit the recessed screw heads you'll find on everything from bathroom towel bars to door knobs. You may need several sizes (and metric as well as standard), so look for a set. Auto-parts stores often carry models with a number of wrenches that fold into a handle, some with both metric and standard sizes. They're priced at around $5 to $10 a set.

Plunger 9

A tool that should need no introduction is the only plumbing entry on our list. Also called the force cup, the plunger will pay for itself several times over the first time you don't have to call the plumber. Any hardware store should offer a choice between a plain cup version and a cup with an extension horn. The extension-horn version is much better at clearing toilets. They're priced at around $5.

Set of pliers 8

We recommend a set that includes 8-inch needlenose pliers, 6- to 7-inch slip-joint pliers, 9- or 10-inch channel adjusting pliers, 8-inch locking pliers and 7-inch side cutters (also known as diagonals or dykes). The locking pliers will not be part of a set but should be added, while the wire cutters are not necessary often but are worth keeping on hand. All the pliers shown here will cost a total of about $35.

Electrical circuit tester and breaker locator 0

Try as you might to avoid it, you may find yourself working on an electrical branch circuit a job no one should attempt without killing the power first. Finding the right circuit breaker let's say it's the one powering a receptacle for a lamp in the dining room" may be a lot harder than you'd guess. When you're faced with that situation, you'll be glad to have this device. Plug the transmitter into the lamp's wall receptacle, then pass the receiver over the service panel and watch for the light to indicate you've found the right breaker. Now shut if off and get to work. The unit pictured here is Zircon's CF12, available for about $50.