Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Water treatment is plumbing plus testing. The kit is the plumbing tools to install softeners and filters, and the test kits that tell you what to sell and prove it worked.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Total hardness test kit | Testing before the quote and after the install | $36 (Hach total hardness test kit, model 5-B, Hach) |
| Water test strips or a multi-parameter kit | Iron, chlorine and pH on the first visit | Varies by brand |
| TDS meter | Checking reverse osmosis output | Varies by brand |
| Pipe cutters for copper and PEX | Cutting in bypass loops | Varies by brand |
| PEX crimp or expansion tool | Fast, clean connections | Varies by brand |
| Adjustable wrenches and pipe wrenches | Valves, fittings and heads | Varies by brand |
| Cordless drill and driver | Mounting filters and brackets | Varies by brand |
| Hand truck with straps | Moving tanks and salt bags | Varies by brand |
| Buckets and a wet vacuum | Draining tanks and cleaning up | 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 water treatment companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Well pump and pressure test gauges | Well service and diagnosis | Varies by brand |
| Soldering kit and torch | Copper connections on older homes | Varies by brand |
| Chlorinator and shock kit for wells | Well disinfection jobs | Varies by brand |
| Tablet for water test reports | Results the customer can keep | Varies by brand |
| Trailer or racks for tanks | Carrying several systems at once | 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.
- Softener salt and cleaner. Service visits and refills.
- Filter cartridges in common sizes. Swapping filters on the same visit.
- Bypass valves and fittings. Installs and repairs.
- RO membranes and faucet parts. Reverse osmosis service.
- O-rings and lubricant. The most common leak fix.
- Test strips and reagents. Testing on every visit.
What a water treatment kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $36 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.
The equipment you stock swings the total most, more than the tools do. Many companies start by installing systems bought per job and build stock as service routes grow.
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 water treatment companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our water treatment 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 water treatment services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Hach: Hach total hardness test kit, model 5-B, 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.