Home Inspection Red Flag Scorer

Check the defects found during your inspection and get an instant severity score, repair cost estimate, and recommended next steps.

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, lender, and market conditions. Consult a licensed professional for advice specific to your situation.

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This scorer covers the most common red flags. The Home Inspection Checklist covers 200+ inspection items organized by system, with photo documentation guides, contractor questions, and negotiation leverage points.

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Get the Free Inspection Quick-Start Guide

Essential checklist of what to look for during a home inspection walkthrough, plus questions every buyer should ask the inspector.

How the Inspection Red Flag Scorer Works

A home inspection report can be 40 pages long. Some findings are cosmetic. Others are deal-breakers. The problem is telling the difference when you've never bought a house before.

This scorer focuses on the 18 most common red flags — the structural, electrical, plumbing, and safety issues that professional inspectors flag most often. Check the ones your inspector found, and the tool calculates an overall severity score, total estimated repair cost range, and a clear recommendation: proceed, negotiate, or walk away.

What the Severity Score Means

  • Green (0-4 points) — Minor issues. Most homes have a few. Proceed with confidence and budget for routine maintenance.
  • Yellow (5-12 points) — Significant issues that warrant negotiation. Ask the seller for repair credits or price reductions before you commit.
  • Red (13+ points) — Major structural, electrical, or safety concerns. Get specialist inspections and seriously consider whether the house is worth the risk and repair cost.

Common Red Flags Covered

The scorer includes foundation problems, roof condition, electrical hazards (knob-and-tube, FPE panels, aluminum wiring), plumbing risks (polybutylene, galvanized steel), HVAC age, pest damage, mold, asbestos, lead paint, drainage issues, and safety concerns. Each item carries a severity weight based on how commonly it leads to expensive repairs or insurance complications.