Restoration Equipment List and Startup Costs: What You Actually Need to Launch

Equipment decisions are among the most consequential financial choices a new restoration company makes — and some of the most commonly misjudged. Contractors who overbuy at launch create cash flow pressure before revenue stabilizes. Those who underbuy take jobs they can’t service properly, producing poor outcomes that damage their reputation and insurance carrier relationships at exactly the moment those relationships need to be built. Getting the equipment decisions right — what to buy, what to rent, in what order, at what price point — is what allows a restoration startup to launch with adequate capability without over-capitalizing before the revenue to service that capital exists.

This guide covers the complete equipment needs for water damage mitigation (the core service for most restoration startups), mold remediation, and fire restoration add-ons — with realistic current cost ranges for new and used equipment, honest guidance on what can be rented vs. owned at different volume levels, and the priority sequencing that balances capability with capital conservation.

Understanding Equipment Requirements by Service Line

Different restoration service lines have different equipment requirements. Water damage mitigation has the most standardized, volume-dependent equipment stack. Mold remediation adds containment and air filtration equipment. Fire restoration adds odor control technology and contents management systems. Most restoration startups begin with water damage mitigation equipment and add vertically from there — which means the water damage equipment list is the foundation that everything else builds on.

Core Water Damage Equipment: The Complete List With Current Costs

Drying Equipment

Air Movers (Axial Fans)
The highest-volume piece of equipment in water damage mitigation. Air movers accelerate evaporation from wet surfaces and structures by creating high-velocity airflow. Professional-grade air movers (the recognized industry standards are Dri-Eaz, Injectidry, and Phoenix brands) run more reliably, perform more consistently, and look more professional on job sites than consumer-grade fans — which matters both for job quality and for the credibility signals they send to insurance adjusters who visit job sites.

• New: $180–$280 per unit (commercial grade)
• Used/refurbished: $80–$150 per unit
• How many to start: 10–15 units covers most residential water damage jobs. A rule of thumb: plan for one air mover per 10–16 square feet of wet material on average jobs. 12 units handles most single-room to multi-room residential losses adequately.
• New vs. used recommendation: Used commercial-grade is a legitimate startup option here — the equipment is simple and durable. Avoid consumer-grade fans regardless of price.

Commercial Dehumidifiers (Refrigerant Type)
Dehumidifiers remove moisture that air movers evaporate from surfaces — the two work as a system. Commercial dehumidifiers (LGR — Low Grain Refrigerant — models are the current professional standard) are significantly more effective at low humidity levels than standard refrigerant units, which is why they’re the industry standard for structural drying.

• New LGR dehumidifier: $1,400–$2,200 per unit (Phoenix, Dri-Eaz, Alorair are primary brands)
• Used LGR: $500–$900 per unit in good condition
• How many to start: 3–5 units. One large-capacity LGR unit handles 1,500–2,500 square feet per day of water removal. Most residential jobs require 1–3 units.
• New vs. used recommendation: This is where buying used from reputable restoration equipment resellers (BluSky Equipment, Injectidry, equipment auctions) makes strong financial sense. LGR dehumidifiers are robust and hold performance well with proper maintenance.

Extraction Equipment

Water Extractor (Portable or Truck-Mount)
Extracts standing water from carpets, subfloor, and hard surfaces as the first step in water damage mitigation. Extraction before air movers and dehumidifiers are deployed removes the bulk of water volume and dramatically accelerates drying time.

• Portable extractor (50-gallon): $1,800–$3,500 new; $800–$1,500 used
• Truck-mount unit: $8,000–$20,000+ depending on age and brand. Faster extraction, larger capacity, better for high-volume operations — but a significant capital commitment for a startup
• Startup recommendation: A quality portable extractor is adequate for most residential jobs and allows you to launch without the truck-mount capital commitment. Add truck-mount when volume justifies the investment.

Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment

Moisture Meter
Measures moisture content in wood, drywall, concrete, and other materials. Fundamental to documenting damage extent, establishing drying targets, and verifying successful drying upon job completion. Required for proper IICRC S500-compliant documentation.

• Pin-type moisture meter: $80–$250 (Delmhorst, General Tools, Tramex are common brands)
• Pinless/non-invasive meter: $200–$600 (scans without penetrating surfaces)
• Recommendation: Own both types — pin-type for accuracy on accessible materials, non-invasive for preliminary scanning of wall cavities and sub-floor areas. Total investment: $300–$500.

Thermal Imaging Camera
Infrared cameras reveal temperature differentials that indicate hidden moisture in walls, ceilings, and subfloors — areas that visual inspection misses entirely. Thermal imaging dramatically improves scope accuracy on water damage jobs, catching hidden damage that would otherwise produce mold problems later and generate disputes with both carriers and customers.

• New entry-level (FLIR One, Seek Compact): $250–$500 (smartphone-attached)
• Professional standalone: $1,500–$4,000+ (FLIR E4/E6, Fluke Ti series)
• Startup recommendation: A $300–$500 smartphone thermal camera attachment is adequate for most residential water damage scoping at startup. The professional standalone adds value at higher volume but is not a day-one necessity.

Hygrometer / Psychrometer
Measures temperature and relative humidity — the environmental conditions that determine drying rate and target. Required for proper drying documentation and psychrometric calculations per IICRC S500.

• Cost: $80–$300
• Recommendation: Include in day-one equipment. At under $200, this is not a meaningful cost decision — it is a documentation requirement.

Safety and PPE Equipment

Water damage work involves sewage, mold, and biohazard exposure risks that require proper personal protective equipment. Minimum PPE inventory for a restoration startup:

• N95 respirators (box): $25–$40
• Half-face respirators with P100 filters (2–4): $30–$60 each
• Tyvek suits (box of 25): $60–$100
• Chemical-resistant gloves (box): $20–$40
• Safety glasses/goggles (6): $30–$60
• Rubber boots (2 pairs): $40–$80

Mold Remediation Equipment Additions

Adding AMRT-certified mold remediation capability requires the following equipment additions to the water damage baseline:

• HEPA air scrubbers (2): $1,200–$2,500 each new; $500–$1,000 used. Removes airborne mold spores during remediation through HEPA filtration. Required for proper containment during mold work.
• Poly sheeting (rolls of 6-mil): $80–$150/roll. For containment construction around remediation work areas.
• Negative air machine: $1,000–$2,000 (can also function as air scrubber in many units — the distinction is in how they’re configured)
• Antimicrobial treatments: $150–$400 initial inventory (Sporicidin, Concrobium, and similar EPA-registered antimicrobials)
• HEPA vacuum: $400–$900 commercial grade

Fire Restoration Equipment Additions

• Hydroxyl generator: $2,500–$4,500 (ozone-safe for occupied/semi-occupied environments)
• Thermal fogger: $400–$900
• Ozone generator: $800–$2,500 (for vacant-space deodorization)
• Air scrubbers with activated carbon filters: $1,500–$3,000 (in addition to HEPA scrubbers)
• Chemical dry sponges (case): $80–$150
• Specialty fire cleaning chemistry starter kit: $400–$800

The Realistic Startup Equipment Budget

Assembling a minimum viable water damage mitigation operation (used commercial-grade equipment where possible, new where quality is critical):

• 12 air movers (used): $960–$1,800
• 4 LGR dehumidifiers (used): $2,000–$3,600
• Portable extractor (used): $800–$1,500
• Moisture meters (new): $300–$500
• Thermal camera (entry-level): $300–$500
• Psychrometer/hygrometer: $150–$250
• PPE starter inventory: $200–$350
• Miscellaneous supplies (moisture barriers, tape, tools): $400–$700

Total minimum water damage equipment startup: $5,110–$9,200

Adding mold remediation capability: $3,500–$7,500 additional.
Adding fire restoration capability: $5,000–$12,000 additional.

The full startup cost picture — including equipment, licensing, insurance, working capital, and marketing — is detailed in the complete guide at How to Start a Restoration Company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I buy new or used restoration equipment when starting out?

A: Used commercial-grade equipment from reputable restoration equipment resellers (not consumer-grade from big-box stores) is a legitimate and financially intelligent choice for most startup items — particularly air movers and dehumidifiers, which are durable and hold performance well. The items worth buying new: moisture meters (inexpensive enough that reliability is more important than cost savings), thermal cameras (used units may have degraded sensors), and any safety equipment. Never substitute consumer-grade equipment for commercial-grade regardless of price — consumer-grade equipment performs inadequately on professional restoration jobs and signals inexperience to adjusters.

Q: Is it better to rent expensive equipment at startup rather than buying?

A: Renting makes sense for equipment you’ll use infrequently — thermal foggers, large commercial desiccant dehumidifiers for unusual jobs, specialty odor control units. It doesn’t make sense for equipment you’ll use on virtually every job (air movers, LGR dehumidifiers, extractors). At 15+ jobs per month, owned core equipment pays for itself faster than its rental equivalent. A portable extractor rented at $150/day on 15 jobs per month costs $2,250/month versus a purchase price of $1,500 to $3,500 — owned within one to two months of full utilization.

Q: How do I source used restoration equipment at fair prices?

A: Several channels reliably produce quality used restoration equipment: equipment liquidation auctions (IronPlanet, Ritchie Bros.), dedicated restoration equipment resellers (Injectidry’s certified refurbished program, BluSky Equipment), restoration company closures or equipment upgrades (posted on Facebook restoration contractor groups and Craigslist), and industry trade shows where vendors discount demonstration equipment. Inspect used equipment for motor condition, filter integrity, and operational noise before purchasing — a noisy dehumidifier motor typically indicates bearing wear that will lead to premature failure.

Q: What vehicle do I need to transport restoration equipment?

A: A large cargo van (Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster) or pickup truck with an enclosed trailer is the standard for single-crew water damage operations. The vehicle needs to carry 12 air movers, 3 to 4 dehumidifiers, an extractor, and associated supplies — which typically requires a full-size cargo van or equivalent enclosed trailer capacity. Truck-mount extraction equipment requires a heavier vehicle with appropriate towing or mounting capacity. Budget $800 to $1,500 per month for vehicle payments or $25,000 to $45,000 for outright purchase of a suitable used cargo van.