Does it have to be a hammer drill if I only need the drill for a shelf?

I have several drills. For woodworking, I use a drill without hammer function. If a hole is needed in the wall and the floor, then the hammer drill is the right tool.

I also think at least two drills are necessary here. Even if it is done in the house or apartment, it is indispensable. How quickly a hole has to be drilled and then the machine has to be ready at hand.

For work on masonry or walls, I would definitely get a hammer drill. However, you should pay attention to quality. Because cheap or no-name drills are often quite weak in performance, and when you then encounter solid masonry, the inferior devices fail. Already experienced that. You don't have to buy one right away. For a few holes in the wall, you can also borrow or rent a hammer drill for a few days at a low cost.

So the people who live in a rental apartment can borrow a hammer drill. However, I own a house and there is more work to be done here, so I have two drills. One has a hammer function and the other does not. They also differ greatly in weight. But as already mentioned, a good brand is important here.