Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Restoration is drying science and documentation. The kit is extraction and drying equipment, meters and a camera to prove the job is dry, and the photos that get the claim paid.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture meter for building materials | Mapping wet drywall and framing | $555 (Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, Delmhorst) |
| Thermal camera | Finding wet areas behind walls and ceilings | $699 (FLIR C5 compact thermal camera, Teledyne FLIR) |
| Portable extractor or water claw | Pulling standing water out of carpet | Varies by brand |
| Air movers, several | Moving air across wet surfaces | Varies by brand |
| Dehumidifiers, LGR type | Pulling moisture out of the air | Varies by brand |
| Wet and dry vacuum | Small water jobs and cleanup | Varies by brand |
| Respirators, gloves, suits and boots | Gray water, black water and mold | Varies by brand |
| Phone and a photo documentation app | Photos and readings for the claim | 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 restoration companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Air scrubbers and negative air machines | Mold and smoke jobs need containment | Varies by brand |
| Truck-mounted or large portable extractor | Big losses in less time | Varies by brand |
| Containment poles and zipper doors | Sealing off the work area | Varies by brand |
| Generator | Power when the house has none | Varies by brand |
| Trailer to carry equipment | Moving a full drying setup to the loss | 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.
- Poly sheeting and tape. Containment and floor protection.
- Antimicrobial solution. Treating wet materials.
- Contractor bags and buckets. Wet debris and demo.
- Spare filters for scrubbers and vacuums. Filters clog fast on mold jobs.
- Drywall saw and utility knives. Flood cuts and removing wet materials.
- Drying log sheets or a tablet. Daily readings the carrier will ask for.
What a restoration kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $1,254 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 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Drying equipment swings the total most: every job needs several air movers and dehumidifiers, and big losses need more. Many restoration companies start with a modest set for small water jobs and rent extra units for large losses.
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 restoration companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our restoration 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 restoration services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Delmhorst: Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, checked October 9, 2026
- Teledyne FLIR: FLIR C5 compact thermal camera, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, 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.