Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A plumbing van is a rolling parts room. The tools get you in the door; the stocked shelf is what lets you finish the job on the first visit and get paid before you leave.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe wrenches in two or three sizes and adjustable wrenches | Threaded pipe, fittings and stubborn nuts | Varies by brand |
| Basin wrench and a faucet socket set | Faucets in tight spaces under sinks | Varies by brand |
| Tubing cutters and a PVC or PEX cutter | Clean cuts in copper and plastic | Varies by brand |
| Torch kit, flux, solder and a flame protector | Sweating copper joints safely | Varies by brand |
| PEX crimp or expansion tool | Fast repairs and repipes in PEX | Varies by brand |
| Hand auger and a closet auger | Most sink and toilet clogs on the first try | Varies by brand |
| Multimeter | Water heater elements, thermostats and sump pumps | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Step ladder | Attic runs and overhead lines | $229 (Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, Little Giant) |
| Wet and dry vacuum | Cleaning up before the customer sees it | Varies by brand |
| Knee pads, gloves, eye protection and a respirator | Crawlspaces and dirty drains | 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 plumbers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Drum drain machine sized for main lines | Sewer and main line clears | Varies by brand |
| Sewer inspection camera with locator | Showing the customer the problem and selling the fix | Varies by brand |
| Press tool with copper jaws | No flame, faster joints, fewer callbacks | Varies by brand |
| Water heater dolly | Moving tanks up and down stairs | Varies by brand |
| Gas leak detector and manometer | Gas line work and appliance hookups | Varies by brand |
| Thread machine or power threader | Black pipe gas runs | 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.
- Supply lines, angle stops and ball valves. Most fixture calls end with one of these.
- Wax rings, closet bolts and fill and flush valves. Toilet repairs.
- Copper, PEX and PVC fittings in the common sizes. Repairs without a supply house trip.
- Water heater parts: elements, thermostats, thermocouples, anode rods. Same-day water heater repairs.
- Thread sealant, tape, primer and glue. Every joint.
- P-traps, slip nuts and drain fittings. Sink and tub drains.
What a plumbing kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $534 at the maker's listed price, out of 10 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.
The van, the drain machine and the camera swing the total most. Many new shops rent a large drain machine by the day and add a camera once the drain work justifies it.
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 plumbers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our plumbing 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 plumbing services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for plumbers, 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.