Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Drywall work splits into hanging and finishing. The finishing tools are where quality shows, so buy good knives and a mud pan from day one.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall tool kit: knives, pan and corner tools | Taping and finishing | $356 (Bon Tool drywall tool kit, Bon Tool) |
| Taping knife, 8 in | Second coats | $15.40 (Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 8 in, Bon Tool) |
| Taping knife, 14 in | Final skim coats | $23 (Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 14 in, Bon Tool) |
| Drywall screw gun | Hanging board fast | Varies by brand |
| T-square, utility knife and rasp | Cutting board | Varies by brand |
| Rotary cutout tool | Outlets and windows | Varies by brand |
| Mud mixer paddle and drill | Mixing compound | Varies by brand |
| Step ladder and a work bench | Ceilings and upper walls | $229 (Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, Little Giant) |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most drywall contractors buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall lift | Ceilings without a second person | Varies by brand |
| Automatic taper and boxes | Large jobs, faster tape | Varies by brand |
| Dust-free sander | Clean sanding | Varies by brand |
| Drywall stilts where allowed | Ceilings without a ladder | Varies by brand |
| Texture sprayer and hopper | Matching ceiling and wall texture | 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.
- Joint compound, setting and premixed. Every job.
- Paper and mesh tape. Joints and patches.
- Corner bead. Outside corners.
- Drywall screws. Hanging.
- Patch kits and scraps. Small repairs.
What a drywall kit costs
The 4 starter kit items we could price add up to $624 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 lift and automatic tools swing the total most. A patch-and-repair business needs far less than a new construction finisher.
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 drywall contractors buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our drywall 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 drywall services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool drywall tool kit, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 8 in, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 14 in, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for drywall installers, 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.