Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Siding is ladder and staging work with a few specialty tools: a brake for trim, snips and a nailer. Start with what lets you tear off and hang a wall safely, then add the tools that make trim look custom.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Extension ladder and ladder jacks or pump jacks | Safe staging on full walls | Varies by brand |
| Multi-position ladder | Corners, porches and uneven ground | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Siding nailer and a compressor | Hanging siding at the right nail depth | Varies by brand |
| Aviation snips, left and right | Cutting vinyl and metal trim | Varies by brand |
| Siding removal tool (zip tool) | Opening vinyl courses without damage | Varies by brand |
| Snap lock punch and nail slot punch | Finishing top courses and trim | Varies by brand |
| Circular saw with a fine-tooth blade | Long cuts on panels | Varies by brand |
| Chalk line and a 4 ft level | Straight courses from the start | Varies by brand |
| Utility knife, hammer and pry bar | Tear-off and small fixes | 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 siding contractors buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Portable aluminum brake | Bending custom trim and wraps on site | Varies by brand |
| Fiber cement shears or a dust-collecting saw | Cutting fiber cement with less dust | Varies by brand |
| Pump jack system with planks | Long walls without moving ladders | Varies by brand |
| Dump trailer | Tear-off debris in one trip | Varies by brand |
| Moisture meter | Checking sheathing behind old siding | $555 (Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, Delmhorst) |
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.
- Siding nails and trim screws. The right length for the panel.
- House wrap and seam tape. Water barrier repairs.
- Trim coil in your common colors. Wraps and small fixes.
- J channel, starter strip and corners. The pieces every wall needs.
- Sealant matched to siding colors. Finishing around fixtures.
- Spare panels in the colors you install most. Storm and damage repairs.
What a siding kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $535 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 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $555 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.
Staging and the brake swing the total most. Many siding contractors start on repairs and small walls from ladders and add pump jacks and a brake as full house jobs come in.
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 siding contractors buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our siding 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 siding services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Delmhorst: Delmhorst BDX-30 moisture meter for building materials, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for siding installation 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.