Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Tile is layout, flat substrate and clean cuts. A setter's kit is trowels and floats for the mud, a saw and nippers for the cuts, and knee pads you will wear out.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Tilesetter tool kit: notched trowels, grout float, nippers, carbide chisels, knee pads and a torpedo level | The hand tools for the first floor or wall in one buy | $231 (Bon Tool apprentice tilesetter tool kit (14-465), Bon Tool) |
| Wet tile saw | Straight cuts on porcelain and stone | Varies by brand |
| Manual tile cutter | Fast straight cuts on ceramic and porcelain | Varies by brand |
| Mixing paddle and a corded drill | Thinset and grout at the right consistency | Varies by brand |
| Buckets and sponges | Mixing, cleanup and grouting | Varies by brand |
| 4 ft level and a straightedge | Flat walls and floors | Varies by brand |
| Leveling clip system | Flat edges on large tiles | Varies by brand |
| Angle grinder with a diamond blade | Notches, outlets and curved cuts | 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 tile installers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Large format tile cutter | Long cuts on big porcelain panels | Varies by brand |
| Suction cups and a tile carrier | Moving large tiles without cracks | Varies by brand |
| Laser level | Layout lines across a room | Varies by brand |
| Hole saws and core bits | Plumbing and fixture holes | Varies by brand |
| Shower pan and waterproofing tools | Membranes and drains done right | 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.
- Thinset in the types you use most. No trip mid-job.
- Grout and grout sealer. Finishing the same day.
- Spacers and leveling clips. Even joints every time.
- Waterproofing membrane and seam tape. Wet areas need it.
- Diamond blades and sponges. They wear out fastest.
- Caulk to match common grout colors. Corners and changes of plane.
What a tile kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $231 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.
Saws and large format tools swing the total most. A setter who does small bathrooms can start with the hand kit, a wet saw and a cutter, and add large format gear when the jobs call for it.
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 tile installers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our tile 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 tile services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Bon Tool: Bon Tool apprentice tilesetter tool kit (14-465), checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for tile and stone 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.