Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Irrigation work is trenching, pipe and controllers. The hand tools are cheap; trenchers and the truck are not.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Trenching shovels and a sod spade | Small repairs and short runs | Varies by brand |
| PVC cutters and poly pipe cutters | Clean pipe cuts | Varies by brand |
| Multimeter | Valve solenoids and controller wiring | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Valve locator or wire tracker | Finding buried valves and wire breaks | Varies by brand |
| Pipe pullers and funny pipe tools | Head adjustments | Varies by brand |
| Pressure gauge | System checks | Varies by brand |
| Marking flags and paint | Layout and 811 marks | Varies by brand |
| Utility trailer | Hauling pipe | 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 irrigation contractors buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-behind trencher | New installs | Varies by brand |
| Vibratory plow | Pulling pipe with little lawn damage | Varies by brand |
| Air compressor for blowouts | Fall winterizations | Varies by brand |
| Backflow test kit | Annual tests where certified | 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.
- Spray heads, rotors and nozzles. Repairs.
- Valves and solenoids. Repairs.
- PVC and poly fittings. Line breaks.
- Glue, primer and wire connectors. Every repair.
- Controller and spare timer. Swaps.
What a irrigation kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $305 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.
The trencher, plow and blowout compressor swing the total most. Repair-only shops can start with hand 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 irrigation contractors buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our irrigation 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 irrigation services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for irrigation contractors, checked October 9, 2026
- 811: What is 811, checked October 8, 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.