Ok going from a beginning tech to a master tech in an auto shop, and then from a freight hoist mechanic to a professional construction management engineer. I have a lot of recommendations.
From an economical stand point, its great you want some better tools. I admire that, but you really want to look at things in life from an economical stand point. You want to have the cheapest tool that will work for what you need it to do for the longest amount of time. Life cycle.
Number one, you said you don't work in a shop, and you are not mechanically adept. So honestly that means to me you wouldn't know the difference between a craftsman wrench and a snap-on wrench if there was no logos engraved on them.
Second, if you do buy snap-on, or Matco, or mac, or even sk you will pay big money for them. Go take a look on the snap on website at hand tools, something that craftsman charges for a complete set snap-on charges for one wrench. General if you speak to a snap on truck dealer you can get snap-on tools for slightly less than what they charge on their website.
Third, if you aren't making money with these tools. There is zero pay back period, and very minimal time constraints to complete a job if any. General speaking a better quality dual80 ratchet from Snap-On will be able to get the same job done a little quicker than a 32 or less tooth bottom line from Craftsman. In the end the same job will be done regardless. So ask yourself, do you need to get jobs done quicker, with less hassle? Will there be a payback period to pay for your tools?
Fourth, is my recommendation. Seems to me as you wouldnt know or ever have the need to know/feel the difference between a fine high quality tool like a snap-on compared to a mid-high end tool like Craftsman PRO or SK. So thats where I will weigh my recommendations, more towards mid-high end tools. Not low end regular Craftsman, HF, Duralast, ect. But the next step up, Craftsman PRO, GearWrench, SK...
1) Ratcheting screwdriver - thinking rotating Snap-on. (Gear Wrench makes a comparable model for less money)
2) Small "electrical type" screwdrivers (Craftsman makes a NEXTEC impact driver that is less $ and beats all competition in performance. This can be used across the board as a drill/driver combo)
3) Ratchet and metric sockets (For ratchet I usually don't use anything other than snap-on, but a 1/4 ratchet will cost you over 100$. In your case stay away from the raised panel **** from craftsman and go with a Craftsman PRO or NextGen.) You will need a 1/4" standard size 3/8" standard and 3/8" long handle or breaker bar. Craftsman 6pt laser etched sockets will be perfectly fine for you, as they are fine for me. If you run into 12pt heads you want 12pt sockets, if you don't there's no reason to have them
4) Hex bits and t-handles (I use these a lot for my bike) Hex bits are also another thing I myself would never get anywhere but snap on but I am a mechanic and my tools very very much abused everyday. My 1/4" set alone was $215 then I also have a 3/8" and 1/2" Impact set.( I though have a back up set from NEIKO off of amazon. Its a master set of hex bits has every size you will need and its only 60$. I have had no problems with them to date, I also use them to lend.)
5) Good "metric" tape measure (okay as a construction manager I probably have the most pull here. By far the best tape measures I use are Stanley fat max and husky Model # 007-674-HKY you want at lease one 25') Then you can use any brand for your small stuff. EDIT: if you are measuring small pipes, bolts, hex heads ect you want a digital caliper. It would be foolish to use a tape for something to tiny and exact. HF has some decent calipers for cheap. I have had them for years and they work.
6) 48" level (I use this for my bike) Lowes has quite the selection of levels. You want an aluminum level with high strength magnets the circular type not the crappy strip.
7) Torque wrenches (for bicycle - carbon fiber). My biggest use is 4-10NM, but I also need higher. I might go cheap with two beam style wrenches (light and heavier), but I will use the low settings a lot, so I might want something better than the beam. (cant go wrong with the craftsman beam torque wrenches they work fine.) Husky though has a lifetime warrenty unlike any other TQ wrench, I think they would be good for you.)
If you want tighter accuracy with low settings your gonna need to go with digital 1/4" snap-on, though you will be spending over $200-300 for one single wrench.
Most if not all TQ wrenches are only accurate within the mid-high range of their actual advertised range. So if a wrench is advert. for 15-125lbs is most likely will be weighted more accurate from maybe 30-40lbs to around 110-115lbs
8) Wire cutter (the one I have is pathetic). Wire cutters ahh, same deal as the needle nose pliers. Go on amazon and go crazy with the channel lock brand they are IMO the best.( Lineman's pliers, the best is Klein tools I have been in the buisness and know this) Neither will break bank.
9) Needle-nose pliers (see above)
10) Other? (Yes of course. You will need a good set of pliers. Real pliers. Knipex makes THE BEST pliers on the market called cobras. Ask any tool freak. but they are about 60$ a piece. Luckily for you Knipex re-branded the cobra pliers for craftsman and you can get a nice 2 plier set for under $40.)
(Also you want a set of turbo sockets or bolt extractors. SK makes an awesome set which I own for around 100-130$) Nothing beats a bolt extractor when you need to get a stripped bolt out.
Wrenches! you mentioned nothing about wrenches. Snap-on makes the best wrenches period IMO. For 350$ a set I don't know if that makes much sense here, that would be silly. Craftsman PRO has a great metric set that I use at home. Awesome quality, full polished, not that base line raised panel **** from craftsman. $99.00
Gear wrenches, you should have a stubby set and a standard set. Gear-wrench brand is go-to for this area they are awesome, less money than snap on which most of the time is just re-branded gear-wrench , strong, and 100x better than the crappy gearwrenches with the craftsman logo.
Your list is looking great. I think you could really use both size ratchets. The more you grow the more you will use them. I can understand your desire to stay away from Craftsman. There are alot of different ratchets out there that are high quality...if you like the Wera, they make an awesome one!