Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A flooring installer needs cutting, leveling and moisture-testing tools for each type of floor they lay. Buy for the floors you sell.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Miter saw and a jamb saw | Cutting planks and undercutting door casing | Varies by brand |
| Pull bar, tapping block and mallet | Locking floating floors | Varies by brand |
| Flooring cutter for vinyl and laminate | Clean cuts without dust | Varies by brand |
| Moisture meter | Checking subfloors and slabs before you lay | Varies by brand |
| Long straightedge and a level | Finding high and low spots | Varies by brand |
| Knee pads and a knee board | All day on the floor | Varies by brand |
| Utility knives, trowels and a roller | Glue-down and sheet goods | Varies by brand |
| Shop vacuum | Clean subfloor before install | 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 flooring installers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Table saw | Rip cuts on long runs | Varies by brand |
| Flooring nailer and compressor | Nail-down hardwood | Varies by brand |
| Floor scraper | Removing old tile and glue | Varies by brand |
| Tile saw and leveling system | Tile installs | Varies by brand |
| Floor grinder rental | Leveling concrete | 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.
- Underlayment and moisture barrier. Most floating installs.
- Transitions and trim. Finishing doorways.
- Self-leveler and patch. Fixing low spots.
- Adhesive and fasteners. Glue and nail-down.
- Blades for knives and saws. Clean cuts.
What a flooring kit costs
None of the 8 starter kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. 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 saws and the nailer swing the total most. Tile work adds a tile saw and leveling tools.
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 flooring installers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our flooring 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 flooring services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Insureon: Insurance cost for flooring 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.