Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A home inspector's kit is about seeing and testing what the buyer cannot: a ladder to the roof and attic, meters for moisture and power, and a camera that finds what the eye misses.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Articulating ladder | Roofs, attics and high ceilings | $489 (Little Giant Conquest 2.0, Model 13, Little Giant) |
| Flashlight and a headlamp | Attics, crawl spaces and panels | Varies by brand |
| Nonconductive voltage tester | Checking for power before opening covers | $45 (Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, Fluke) |
| Outlet and GFCI tester | Testing receptacles across the house | Varies by brand |
| Moisture meter for building materials | Confirming stains are wet or dry | $555 (Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, Delmhorst) |
| Thermal camera for a phone | Spotting missing insulation and hidden leaks | $529 (FLIR ONE Edge Pro thermal camera for a phone, Teledyne FLIR) |
| Screwdrivers and a nut driver | Removing panel covers | Varies by brand |
| Coveralls, knee pads and a respirator | Crawl spaces and attics | Varies by brand |
| Inspection report software | Delivering the report the same day | 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 home inspectors buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld thermal camera | Better images for the report | $699 (FLIR C5 compact thermal camera, Teledyne FLIR) |
| Drone | Roofs you cannot walk safely | Varies by brand |
| Combustible gas detector | Checking gas lines and appliances | Varies by brand |
| Radon monitor | Selling radon tests as an add-on | Varies by brand |
| Sewer camera or a partner who has one | Selling sewer scopes | 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.
- 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.
What a home inspection kit costs
The 4 starter kit items we could price add up to $1,618 at the maker's listed price, out of 9 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $699 at the maker's listed price, out of 5 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The thermal camera and a drone swing the total most. Many inspectors start with a phone camera attachment and buy a handheld camera and drone as add-on services pay for them.
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 home inspectors buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our home inspection 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 home inspection services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Conquest 2.0, Model 13, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, checked October 9, 2026
- Delmhorst: Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, checked October 9, 2026
- Teledyne FLIR: FLIR ONE Edge Pro thermal camera for a phone, checked October 9, 2026
- Teledyne FLIR: FLIR C5 compact thermal camera, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for home inspectors, 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.