Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Security and low voltage work is pulling cable, mounting devices and proving they work. The kit is fishing and cable tools first, then testers and a ladder that sets up anywhere.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Fish tape, glow rods and a drill with long flex bits | Getting cable through finished walls | Varies by brand |
| Cable stripper, crimper and punchdown tool | Clean terminations on every run | Varies by brand |
| Network cable tester | Proving each run before you leave | Varies by brand |
| Nonconductive voltage tester | Checking for power before cutting into a wall | $45 (Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, Fluke) |
| Digital multimeter | Power supplies and sensor loops | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Multi-position ladder | Cameras on eaves and high walls | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Cordless drill and impact driver | Mounting cameras, panels and boxes | Varies by brand |
| Low voltage brackets and a hole saw kit | Clean device openings | Varies by brand |
| Laptop or tablet with the setup apps | Programming recorders and panels | 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 security installers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Cable certifier or advanced tester | Commercial jobs that ask for test reports | Varies by brand |
| Tone and probe kit | Tracing unlabeled cables | Varies by brand |
| PoE tester | Camera power problems found fast | Varies by brand |
| Extension ladder and a lift rental account | Parking lots and warehouses | Varies by brand |
| Label maker | Labeled runs and panels for the next visit | 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.
- Cat6 cable and coax in boxes. Most jobs need a few runs.
- Connectors, jacks and keystones. Terminations and repairs.
- Low voltage brackets and wall plates. Every new device.
- Cable staples, ties and Velcro straps. Neat runs the customer can see.
- Junction boxes for cameras. Weatherproof mounts outside.
- Spare power supplies and fuses. Common service calls.
What a security and low voltage kit costs
The 3 starter kit items we could price add up to $885 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 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.
Testers and the lift rental swing the total most. Many installers start with homes and small offices, where a basic tester and a good ladder cover most of the 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 security installers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our security and low voltage 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 security and low voltage services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, 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.