Tools & Equipment Recommendations
Home inspectors must be equipped with specific minimum tools required by N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17. In addition to these mandatory items, NJAHI® recommends proven, field-tested tools that enhance performance, improve accuracy, and increase safety during inspections. There are tools every licensed home inspector is legally required to carry — and tools that serious professionals choose to elevate the quality of their inspections. We strongly recommend that you carry both the required tools and the additional tools we recommend to ensure you are fully prepared for every inspection.
N.J. Admin. Code § 13:40-15.17 – Mandatory tools and equipment
N.J. Admin. Code § 13:40-15.17
NJAHI® STAFF PICK – Trusted by the Pros Who Train the Pros
TABLETS
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active5 Wi-Fi 8” 128GB Android Tablet for Industrial, Field Work, Advanced Security, Rugged Design, US Version, 2024, SM-X300NZGAN20, Black Green
HOTWAV R9 Ultra 5G 2025 Rugged Tablet Android 15, 11″ FHD+ 120Hz 20080mAh Waterproof Tablet with Pen, Octa-Core 24GB+512GB/2TB TF, 64MP+16MP+20MP, Gemini AI/IP68&IP69K/5G LTE&WiFi/Face ID/OTG/GPS
MUNBYN 2025 Rugged Windows Tablet IRT06, 8″ Windows 11 Pro, 8GB+128GB Tough Tablet, 700nit Sunlight Readable, Intel N5100 Rugged PC for Construction, Industrial, 2Y Protection
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Rugged Windows Tablet LT87J,8 inch Windows 10pro Tablet,N5100 7.6V 5000mAh Tablet,700nit Work Tablet. 4G LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi，BT5.0 ，IP65 for lndustrial Tablet
CAMERAS
OM System OLYMPUS Tough TG-7 Red Underwater Camera, Waterproof, Freeze Proof, High Resolution Bright, 4K Video 44x Macro Shooting (Successor Olympus TG-6)
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
DRONES
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC, Flagship Triple-Camera Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 15km Video Transmission, 3 Batteries, Charging Hub, FAA Remote ID Compliant
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom – Drone Quadcopter UAV with Optical Zoom Camera 3-Axis Gimbal 4K Video 12MP 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor, up to 48mph, Gray
DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone Combo with Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 10km Video Transmission, 62-Min Flight With Case and Extra Battery Bundle with Deco Gear Accessories
DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC 2 Screen Remote) Drone with 1″ CMOS Wide-Angle & Medium Tele Camera, 4K/60fps, Omnidirectional Sensing, Smart RTH, 3 Battery Bundle with Deco Gear Accessories & Software
CAMERA POLES
Strong, Versatile, Telescoping Fiberglass Poles 30ft
Non-Conductive, Fire Retardant, Made in the USA!
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
COMPUTERS
DESKTOPS
Dell Optiplex 7020 Desktop Computer Sff, 7000 Small Dekstops Pc, 32gb Ddr5 Ram, 1tb Pcie Ssd, 14th Gen Intel 14-Core i5-14500 (Beat i7-13700), Wifi6e, Bt, 2 Displayport, Hdmi, Type-c, Windows 11 Pro
Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop ACT1250 – Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF Processor, Air Cooled, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060Ti, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, 500W Platinum Rated PSU, Win 11 Home – Clear Panel
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
LAPTOPS
Dell 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop Computer | Intel Core i5-1334U CPU | 32GB RAM | 1TB Storage (512GB PCIe SSD + 512GB External) | Long Battery Life | WOWPC Bundle | Windows 11 with Microsoft Office
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
16″ Laptop Screen Extender Triple Display – 2560x1600P QHD Portable Monitor, USB C Detachable Plug & Play Extender for 12″ -17″ Laptops – Compatible with Windows/Android/PS4/MacBook
HP 2025 17.3″ Laptop Computer for Business & Student, Intel 8-Core Processor, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Anti-Glare Display, Windows 11 Pro, Bluetooth 5.3, Type-c, Silver, Copilot AI, w/Accessories
MANDATORY TOOLS REQUIRED FOR EVERY INSPECTION AS PER N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
LADDERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #1 – LADDER, minimum 11 feet in length;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
🪜 Why Every Home Inspector Needs Both Telescoping and Foldable Ladders
Efficiency and safety start with the right tools. Telescoping ladders let you reach attic hatches, rooflines, and high ceilings with lightweight portability — perfect for tight spaces and quick setup. Foldable multi-position ladders, on the other hand, give you stability and flexibility on uneven terrain, stairs, and exterior inspections.
Smart inspectors carry both — compact for transport, versatile on-site, and built to meet professional standards.
NJAHI® STAFF PICK – BUY BOTH (Telescoping and Foldable Ladder)
Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder 15.5 FT 785P+ | Professional Aluminum Extension Ladder | Heavy Duty Telescopic Ladder with Over-Molded Feet | 250 lbs Load | Portable & Compact – Includes Fiber Cloth
Telesteps 1600EP Pro Series Wide Step Telescoping Ladder – 12.5 ft Height, 16 ft Reach | Type 1A 300 lb Rated | Aluminum Extension Ladder with 3.375” Rungs, One-Touch Retraction & Pivoting Feet
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Little Giant Ladders Velocity, 22-Ft Folding Multi-Position Ladder, Aluminum, 300 lb Load Capacity, Type 1A Extra Heavy Duty, 22-Ft Reach, with Ratchet Levelers and Wheels (15422-801)
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
S.Walt 22 FT Aluminum Multi-Position Foldable Ladder with Wheels, 5-in-1 Extension Ladder with Wide Anti-Slip Steps & Secure Hinge Locks for Home Indoor Outdoor Professional Use, 300 lbs Rated.
FLASHLIGHTS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #2 – A flashlight or other equivalent light source;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
🔦 Why Home Inspectors Need Magnetic and Traditional Flashlight
Crawlspaces, basements, attics, and electrical rooms are dark and hazardous. A magnetic flood light gives you bright, hands-free illumination on metal surfaces — perfect for photographing furnace and water-heater data plates, reading labels, and documenting conditions without juggling a flashlight. A high-output rechargeable flashlight provides powerful, focused light exactly where you need it. Together, they keep you safer, more efficient, and fully prepared for every inspection.
Smart inspectors carry both — compact for transport, versatile on-site, and built to meet professional standards.
NJAHI® STAFF PICK – BUY BOTH
Milwaukee 2108 Rover Magnetic Flood Light 300 Lumens
Fenix PD36R Pro Tactical Flashlight and Backup Light Kit, 2800 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Mini-Lite Clip on Flashlight and Lumentac Organizer
FLAME INSPECTION MIRROR
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #3 – A flame inspection mirror;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
Flame Inspection Mirror Telescoping 2 x 3.75 Inch Stainless Steel Pivoting Rectangular Telescopic Welding Mirror with Grip Handle for Maintenance Inspection
General Tools 5562 Metal Inspection Mirror
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERUPT (GFCI) TESTERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #4 – An electrical outlet tester with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) test ability;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester, Standard 120V AC Outlets, 7 Visual Indication / Wiring Legend, Home & Professional Use, Yellow & Black
Klein Tools NCVT5KIT Electrical Test Kit, Dual-Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Laser Pointer and GFCI Receptacle Tester
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Klein Tools RT210 Outlet Tester, Receptacle Tester for GFCI / Standard North American AC Electrical Outlets, Detects Common Wiring Problems
SCREWDRIVERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #5 – Tools necessary to remove common fasteners on covers or panels which are required to be removed;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
🪛 Why Home Inspectors Need Both Cordless & Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
Panels, access covers, and electrical devices all require different bit types — and usually in tight spaces. A cordless driver speeds up removing HVAC and electrical panel screws, while a compact ratcheting multi-bit screwdriver fits anywhere and keeps every bit you need in the handle. Smart inspectors carry both — fast for efficiency, compact for tight spots, and built for daily professional use.
Smart inspectors carry both — built for efficiency and tight-space access.
NJAHI® STAFF PICK – BUY BOTH
SKIL Rechargeable 4V Cordless Screwdriver with Circuit Sensor Technology, Includes 9pcs Bit, 1pc Bit Holder, USB Charging Cable – SD561201, Red
WORKPRO 12-in-1 Stubby Ratcheting Multi-bit Screwdriver, Short Screw Drivers with Magnetic, Quick-load Mechanism, Premium S2 Steel, Small Screwdriver with Double End Bits in Handle
MEASURING TAPES
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #6 – A measuring tape;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
Powerlock Tape Rule, 1/4″” x 10ft, Plastic Case, Chrome, 1/16″” Graduation, Sold as 1 Each
Tape Measure16FT Self-Locking, Steel Made Retractable Measurement, Imperial/Metric Scale, MID Precision, Easy to Read, Used for Architects, Carpenters, Handicrafts. (16FT)
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
PROBES
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #7 – A probe;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
CRAFTSMAN CMHT65012 CFT SD ACETATE – SCRATCH AWL
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
THERMOMETERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #8 – Thermometers for testing air conditioning;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
MESTEK Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -40℉~2912℉, High Temp Thermometer with Thermocouple Probe, Non-contact Digital Laser Thermometer Gun 50:1 Pyrometer for Industrial HVAC Forge Metal Smelting
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer Non-Contact Digital Laser Temperature Gun with LCD Display -58℉～1112℉(-50℃～600℃) Adjustable Emissivity
BINOCULARS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #9 – Binoculars or equivalent magnification device;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars for Adults and Kids, Large Eyepiece Waterproof Binocular with Low Light Vision,High Powered Easy Focus Binoculars
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Night Vision Goggles, 5K Night Vision Binoculars with 64GB TF Card, APP Remote Control, 4” HD Screen, 2000FT Viewing Range for Outdoor Camping and Observation
MOISTER METERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #10 – A moisture meter;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.1710
General Tools Digital Moisture Meter MMD7NP – Humidity Sensor- Pinless and Non-Invasive
FLIR MR160 – Thermal Imaging Moister Meter – with IGM (infared Guided Measurment), Pin and Pinless
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
GAS LEAK DETECTORS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #11 – Combustible gas leak detection equipment;
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.1710
Bacharach 0019-7051 Combustible Gas LeakLeakator®
A multi-purpose, hazardous location-certified combustible gas leak detector
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
PT520A Natural Gas Detector, Gas Leak Detector with 17-Inch Gooseneck, Locating The Source Like Propane, Methane, and Butane for Home and RV (Includes Battery x3)
VOLTAGE TESTERS
🛠️ TOOL REQUIREMENT #12 – A voltage detector
As required under N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.17
Klein Tools NCVT-5A Voltage Tester, Non-Contact Dual Range Voltage Tester Pen with Integrated Laser Pointer and Visual and Audible Alerts
Klein Tools NCVT5KIT Electrical Test Kit, Dual-Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Laser Pointer and GFCI Receptacle Tester
NJAHI® STAFF PICK
Sperry Instruments VD6509 Adjustable Non-Contact Detector with Flashlight, cETLus Listed, 1, 5 Clams/Master Voltage Tester, yellow
OTHER ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Cirrus Wind Indicator, this can be used to visually check if supply or return vents are working.
HITEKK High Power Green Laser Pointer | Tactical Green Laser Pointer | Single Press On/Off Tactical Lazer Pointer | Rechargeable Long Range Lazer Pointer and Carrying Case
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