Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Masonry is hand work backed by heavy gear: trowels, levels and a line for every course, then a mixer, a saw and a way to move pallets. Start with the hand tools and rent the heavy pieces until the jobs pay for them.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Bricklayer hand tool kit: brick trowel, pointing trowel, jointers, hammer, bolster, line and a 48 in level | The core hand tools for laying and pointing in one buy | $421 (Bon Tool bricklayer apprentice tool kit (11-550), Bon Tool) |
| Brick trowel you choose yourself, 11 in | The tool in your hand all day, worth picking by feel | $40 (Bon Tool Narrow London Pro brick trowel, 11 in, Bon Tool) |
| Mason square, 9 in | Square corners on block and brick | $37 (Bon Tool aluminum mason square, 9 in, Bon Tool) |
| Mortar board and stand | Keeps mud at working height and off the ground | Varies by brand |
| Wheelbarrow and mortar hoe | Mixing small batches and moving block | Varies by brand |
| Plate compactor (rent at first) | Compacted base under pavers and wall block | Varies by brand |
| Masonry saw or cut-off saw with a diamond blade | Clean cuts on block, brick and pavers | Varies by brand |
| Screed rails and a long straightedge | Level sand beds for pavers | Varies by brand |
| Safety glasses, gloves, knee pads and a dust mask | Silica dust and wet mortar are daily hazards | 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 masons buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Gas mortar mixer | Steady mud for a full crew | Varies by brand |
| Wet tile and block saw on a stand | Less dust and faster cuts on big jobs | Varies by brand |
| Vacuum lifter or paver clamp | Saves backs on slabs and large pavers | Varies by brand |
| Scaffold frames and planks | Safe height on chimneys and tall walls | Varies by brand |
| Mini skid steer or a rented one | Moves base stone and pallets on hardscape jobs | Varies by brand |
| Laser level | Grades and wall heights without a helper | 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.
- Mortar mix and masonry cement. Repairs and small jobs the same day.
- Polymeric sand. Finishing paver joints.
- Brick ties, wall ties and anchors. Veneer repairs and new courses.
- Diamond blades in two sizes. A dull blade stops a cut job.
- Masonry cleaner and brushes. Cleaning mortar smears before the walkthrough.
- Tarps and plastic. Covering fresh work from rain and frost.
What a masonry and hardscape kit costs
The 3 starter kit items we could price add up to $497 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.
None of the 6 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Hardscape gear swings the total most: a compactor, a saw and a machine to move stone. Many masons start on brick and block repairs with hand tools only and rent the rest by the day.
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 masons buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our masonry and hardscape 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 masonry and hardscape services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool bricklayer apprentice tool kit (11-550), checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool Narrow London Pro brick trowel, 11 in, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool aluminum mason square, 9 in, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for masonry contractors, 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.