I need a moisture meter to check the moisture content in my subfloor for DIY project. What kind of meter can I get by with? I obviously don't want to spend $400 for a one-time job. How much money am I going to need to spend?

Probably be cheaper if you could coax someone in the area with a good one to come over and check for you. I do that for people if I have the time. But it costs a few hundred bucks. If they know what they are doing they could also address any other issues with crawlspaces and the like. Might be worth it.

If you decide to buy your own, Home Depot sells a Ryobi meter that is somewhat decent. It is pinless and fairly accurate. However , I found that it doesn't work if you hold it upside down to check the sub floor from underneath. And if you hold it vertically, it takes a different reading than if you hold it horizontally.

The meters that Stephen and I use are much more reliable and trustworthy.

I have one of these as a back-up and results run fairly consistant to my Tramex.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VIMGIA/ref ... wo=&hvqmt=

I agree with Stephen Perrera the meter in his link will work fine. Don't waste your time with the Ryobi meter. For wood flooring pin type meters with different species settings work best.