Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Carpet cleaning starts with a choice: a portable extractor you carry in, or a truckmount. Portables cost less and fit apartments; truckmounts clean faster.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Portable hot water extractor | Starting without a truckmount | Varies by brand |
| Floor wand and upholstery tool | Carpets and furniture | Varies by brand |
| Pre-spray pump sprayer | Pre-treating | Varies by brand |
| Carpet rake or grooming brush | Even drying and finish | Varies by brand |
| Commercial vacuum | Dry soil removal first | $230 (Oreck Commercial XL upright vacuum (XL2100RHS), Oreck) |
| Air movers | Faster drying | Varies by brand |
| Corner guards and floor runners | Protecting the home | Varies by brand |
| Spot kit | Stains | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most carpet cleaners buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Truckmount system | Faster cleaning and more jobs per day | Varies by brand |
| Low moisture machine | Commercial maintenance | Varies by brand |
| Rotary scrubber | Heavy soil and tile | Varies by brand |
| Tile and grout tool | Add-on revenue | Varies by brand |
| Moisture meter | Water damage checks | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Pre-spray and rinse agents. Every job.
- Spotting chemicals. Stains.
- Deodorizer and protector. Add-on sales.
- Furniture blocks and tabs. Protecting floors under furniture.
What a carpet cleaning kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $230 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The truckmount swings the total most. A portable extractor and van can get you started for a fraction.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most carpet cleaners buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our carpet cleaning suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the carpet cleaning services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Oreck: Oreck Commercial XL upright vacuum (XL2100RHS), 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.