Plumbing equipment should cover diagnostics, drain clearing and installation. Stock the van with fittings, valves, supply lines and common repair parts. Buy from plumbing supply houses that offer contractor accounts and counter hours that fit your schedule.
Van stock basics
- Fittings and valves
- Supply lines and flex connectors
- Wax rings and toilet parts
- Faucet cartridges
- Drain parts
Supplier relationships
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Early counter hours | Start jobs on time |
| Contractor pricing | Margins |
| Delivery | Large jobs |
| Returns | Unused parts |
Truck stock list
- Wax rings, flappers, fill valves and toilet repair kits
- Faucet cartridges for common brands
- Supply lines, shut-off valves and fittings
- PEX, copper and PVC fittings
- Drain cables and blades
- Water heater elements, thermostats and anode rods
Choosing supply houses
Supply houses offer contractor pricing, early opening, will-call and job-site delivery. Ask about returns, warranty processing on water heaters and fixtures, and credit terms. Building a good relationship with the counter staff pays off when you need a hard-to-find part on a Saturday.
Worked example: choosing a drain machine and camera
Luis's first-year calls are mostly kitchen and bathroom drains with some main-line clogs. He buys a drum machine with interchangeable cables sized for the drains he sees most, plus a smaller handheld unit for sinks. For camera work he chooses a push camera with a locator that can record video, since sending customers a short clip of a root intrusion or broken pipe helps them understand why a repair is needed. A water jetter can come later, once main-line and restaurant work grows.
New or used tools
Hand tools and fittings are best bought new. Drain machines and cameras can be bought used from reputable sellers if they have been serviced, but ask about warranty and parts availability. Press tools are worth buying new because jaws must be in good condition to make reliable joints.
Mistakes when buying
- Too many fitting systems
- Cheap drain cables that kink
- Cameras without recording
- No water heater dolly
Keeping the truck organized
Plumbers lose time searching for fittings. Use labeled bins by material and size (copper, PEX, PVC, brass), a dedicated drawer for repair kits, and a parts list that gets restocked every evening from the day's invoices. Many shops photograph each truck's shelves when fully stocked, so restocking is quick and consistent between trucks. An organized truck means more one-visit fixes and fewer trips to the supply house.
Start-up equipment
- Service van with shelving
- Drain machines and cameras
- Pipe tools and soldering kits
- Water heater install tools
- Parts inventory
Where owners usually buy
- Plumbing supply houses
- Manufacturer distributors
- Hardware stores for emergency parts
Free tools
Common questions
Supply house or big-box store?
Supply houses usually offer contractor pricing and better parts.
How do I organize the van?
Labeled bins and a weekly restock list.
Should I stock water heaters?
Usually order per job unless volume justifies it.
Should I carry water heaters on the truck?
Usually not; order per job and deliver quickly.
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