Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Property maintenance is a little of everything, done fast between tenants. The kit looks like a handyman's, with more paint, more locks and more filters, because turnovers repeat the same fixes.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Cordless drill, impact driver and a multi tool | Most repairs in a unit | Varies by brand |
| Multi-position ladder | Ceilings, fans and exterior fixes | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Nonconductive voltage tester | Safe outlet, switch and fixture swaps | $45 (Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, Fluke) |
| Painter's multi tool | Prep, scraping and opening cans | $13.50 (Bon Tool 6 in 1 tool, Bon Tool) |
| Taping knife, 8 in | Drywall patches between tenants | $15.40 (Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 8 in, Bon Tool) |
| Plumbing basics: plunger, closet auger, wrenches and a basin wrench | Clogs, toilets and faucets | Varies by brand |
| Rekey kit for the locks you use | Changing locks at every turnover | Varies by brand |
| Shop vacuum | Cleanup after repairs | Varies by brand |
| Phone with a photo checklist | Move-out and move-in condition records | 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 property maintenance companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Paint sprayer | Whole-unit repaints in a day | $370 (Wagner Control Pro 170 airless sprayer, Wagner) |
| Backpack blower | Common areas, lots and gutters | $700 (STIHL BR 800 C-E backpack blower, STIHL) |
| Carpet extractor | Spot cleaning between tenants | Varies by brand |
| Drain machine | Main line clogs without a call to a plumber | Varies by brand |
| Trailer | Appliances, junk and materials for turnovers | 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.
- Paint in the property's standard colors. Touch-ups without a store run.
- Spackle, caulk and patch kits. Every turnover.
- HVAC filters in the sizes the properties use. Filter swaps on every visit.
- Smoke and CO detectors and batteries. Required checks at turnover.
- Faucet cartridges, flappers and supply lines. The common plumbing fixes.
- Light bulbs, outlet covers and switch plates. Small fixes tenants notice.
What a property maintenance kit costs
The 4 starter kit items we could price add up to $609 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 2 pro kit items we could price add up to $1,070 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.
Whether you take on painting, cleaning and drain work yourself swings the total most. Many start with repairs and turnovers and buy the sprayer and drain machine when one property manager sends steady work.
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 property maintenance companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our property maintenance 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 property maintenance services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool 6 in 1 tool, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool stainless taping knife, 8 in, checked October 9, 2026
- Wagner: Wagner Control Pro 170 airless sprayer, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL BR 800 C-E backpack blower, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for property preservation businesses and other 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.