Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A roofing crew lives on its fall protection, its nail guns and a truck that can carry a load of shingles. Start with what keeps you safe on the deck and what gets a tear-off done in a day.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Personal fall arrest kit: harness, lanyard, rope grab and roof anchors | Required on most steep roofs; buy one per person | Varies by brand |
| Extension ladder rated for roofing loads, with standoff | Getting on and off safely with bundles | Varies by brand |
| Multi-position ladder for valleys and interior attic access | One ladder that sets up on stairs and uneven ground | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Roofing nailer and a second as a backup | A dead gun stops the whole crew | Varies by brand |
| Portable air compressor and hoses | Runs two nailers on a tear-off | Varies by brand |
| Roofing shovels and a pry bar | Fast tear-off without wrecking the deck | Varies by brand |
| Hook-blade utility knives and a chalk line | Cutting shingles and keeping courses straight | Varies by brand |
| Roofing hatchet, hammer tacker and tin snips | Hand nailing, underlayment and flashing | Varies by brand |
| Tarps, magnetic sweeper and dump trailer or bin rental | Protects the yard and catches every nail | Varies by brand |
| Measuring wheel and a drone or satellite measure | Square counts before you quote | 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 roofers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Second compressor and a coil siding nailer | Two crews or roof plus siding on one job | Varies by brand |
| Shingle lift or ladder hoist | Saves backs and hours on two-story homes | Varies by brand |
| Metal brake for drip edge and flashing | Custom flashing on site instead of a supply run | Varies by brand |
| Roof brackets, toe boards and guardrail kits | Safer staging on steep and tall roofs | Varies by brand |
| Infrared camera or moisture meter | Finding wet decking and proving it to the customer | Varies by brand |
| Dump trailer of your own | Cuts the bin rental on every tear-off | 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.
- Coil roofing nails and cap nails. Two or three boxes on the truck at all times.
- Synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield. Leak repairs the same day.
- Pipe boots in the common sizes. The most common leak you will fix.
- Roofing sealant and a caulk gun. Exposed nail heads and small repairs.
- Drip edge, step flashing and a bundle of starter. Small repairs without a supply house trip.
- Spare shingles in the colors you install most. Matching storm repairs.
What a roofing kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $535 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 truck, the trailer and the fall protection for each person on the crew swing the starting cost most. Many roofers rent the dump trailer and lift until the work pays for them.
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 roofers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our roofing 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 roofing services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for roofers, checked October 9, 2026
- OSHA: Fall protection, 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.