Where home inspectors buy
Home inspectors buy cameras and meters from the makers or tool dealers, and ladders and small tools at the big-box stores.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teledyne FLIR | Manufacturer store | Handheld and phone thermal cameras sold direct, with prices listed on its site. | Ask at the counter |
| Delmhorst | Manufacturer store | Moisture meters for building materials, wood and flooring, sold direct and through distributors. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items home inspectors buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Batteries for every meter | A dead meter mid-inspection is a lost finding |
| Shoe covers | Clean floors in a seller's home |
| Spare outlet tester | They break and go missing |
| Disposable masks and gloves | Dusty attics and crawl spaces |
| Business cards and report handouts | Agents and buyers at the walkthrough |
| Inspection stickers or tags | Marking what you tested |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: articulating ladder; flashlight and a headlamp; nonconductive voltage tester; outlet and gfci tester; moisture meter for building materials; thermal camera for a phone; screwdrivers and a nut driver; coveralls, knee pads and a respirator; inspection report software. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: handheld thermal camera; drone; combustible gas detector; radon monitor; sewer camera or a partner who has one.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the home inspection tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Little Giant, Fluke, Delmhorst, Teledyne FLIR).
When supplier prices change
Update your home inspection price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- Teledyne FLIR: C5 thermal camera, checked October 9, 2026
- Delmhorst: About us, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.