Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Garage door work is spring and opener work, and springs store enough energy to hurt you. Buy proper winding bars and train before you touch torsion springs.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Winding bars sized for the cones you see | Torsion springs, never screwdrivers | Varies by brand |
| Socket set, wrenches and an impact driver | Brackets, hinges and track | Varies by brand |
| Locking pliers and C-clamps | Holding the door in place | Varies by brand |
| Multi-position ladder | Openers and springs overhead | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Multimeter | Opener circuits, sensors and wiring | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Spring gauge and measuring tape | Matching springs right | Varies by brand |
| Level and track tools | Straight, smooth track | Varies by brand |
| Gloves and eye protection | Spring and cable work | 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 garage door companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Spring winding tool or power winder | Faster, safer spring changes | Varies by brand |
| Door lift or second tech | New door installs | Varies by brand |
| Trailer or high-roof van | Hauling doors and openers | Varies by brand |
| Welder | Bent track and custom brackets | 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.
- Torsion and extension springs in common sizes. Same-day spring changes.
- Cables, drums and center bearings. Common repairs.
- Rollers, hinges and weather seal. Tune-ups.
- Opener sensors, remotes and keypads. Opener calls.
- Lubricant. Every service.
What a garage door kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $840 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 4 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Spring stock and the van setup swing the total most. Door installs add a lift or a second person and a bigger vehicle.
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 garage door companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our garage door 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 garage door services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for door and window 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.