How do I read a home inspection report?

Start by looking at the summary section, which lists the most critical findings. Focus on safety hazards first (electrical, structural, water intrusion), then major system issues (roof, HVAC, plumbing), and finally maintenance items. Viorly can analyze your report automatically and prioritize findings for you — just upload the PDF.

What are red flags in a home inspection?

Common red flags include moisture intrusion and water damage (especially in crawl spaces and basements), aging or damaged sewer lines (pre-1970s homes often have clay or Orangeburg pipes), foundation settling or cracks, roof deterioration, outdated electrical panels (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco), and signs of pest damage. Which issues matter most varies by region and climate — Viorly's analysis accounts for both.

How much do home inspection repairs cost?

Repair costs vary widely by issue and by region. Typical national ranges: roof replacement ($8,000–$25,000), sewer line replacement ($5,000–$15,000), foundation repair ($3,000–$15,000), HVAC replacement ($5,000–$12,000), electrical panel upgrade ($1,500–$4,000). Viorly provides cost estimates localized to your home's area when you upload your inspection report.

What is a home inspection report analysis tool?

A home inspection report analysis tool uses AI to read your inspection report PDF and extract the key findings, prioritize them by severity, and estimate repair costs. Viorly is a free analysis tool for home buyers anywhere in the U.S. — it turns your complex inspection report into a clear action plan with local repair costs and vetted contractor recommendations for your area.

Is Viorly free to use?

Yes, Viorly is completely free. You can upload your home inspection report and get a full analysis — including prioritized findings, repair cost estimates, and a maintenance calendar — without creating an account or paying anything.

How do I negotiate repairs after a home inspection?

After receiving your inspection report, identify the most significant issues (safety hazards, major system failures, expensive repairs) and request that the seller either fix them before closing, provide a credit toward closing costs, or reduce the purchase price. Focus on items that are genuine defects rather than cosmetic preferences. Having clear repair cost estimates strengthens your negotiating position.

My water heater pilot light will not light and a plumber quoted $250 to replace the pilot assembly kit. Is that fair, and do I even need to?

$250 is inside the typical range for a pilot assembly on a sealed-chamber unit. Whether you need to depends on the tank's age: under 8 years, yes, fix it. Past 10 years, ask the same plumber what a replacement would cost and weigh $250 against that.

Can I relight the pilot myself?

Yes, following the label on the tank: turn the control to Pilot, hold it down, click the igniter, keep holding for 30 to 60 seconds. If it will not stay lit after two tries, stop; that is the thermocouple.

My tankless unit shows an error code instead of a pilot. Same problem?

No. Tankless codes (a Navien 445 or 456, for example) usually point to scale, flow or a mixing valve. Flushing with vinegar clears some; a code that stays after a flush is a service call under the manufacturer's guidance.

Is $250 fair to replace a water heater pilot assembly or thermocouple?

A gas water heater that will not light or stay lit usually needs a thermocouple or pilot assembly, a small part and a short visit. Here is the range and when the repair is not worth it.

Call a licensed plumber

Hire a pro

$120 to $350

typical in the US, before local labor differences

Do it yourself

Not this one

licensed or specialized work

This is gas work, and the part is cheap while the visit is not. A plumber or water heater tech charges mostly for the call; the thermocouple itself is under $30 and a full pilot assembly under $100. The decision is not the price, it is the tank's age: on a unit under 8 years the repair is obvious, on one past 10 the same money is a down payment on the replacement you will need soon anyway.

Find me a plumber Check my quote

Free, no account for the first question. The advisor knows your home's age, systems and region.

Why it costs what it costs

The visit, not the part: a thermocouple costs less than a takeout dinner. You are paying for diagnosis and a technician who knows which of three similar parts has failed.
Sealed combustion chambers on units built after 2003 use a complete pilot assembly rather than a loose thermocouple, which costs more and takes longer.
A failed gas control valve looks the same from the outside and costs $300 to $600 installed. A good tech rules it out before replacing anything.

When to stop and call someone

You smell gas at any point. Leave the pilot alone, open a window and call the gas utility first.
The pilot lights but goes out again within minutes, repeatedly: that is the thermocouple or a draft problem, both for a pro.
Soot, scorching or a yellow lazy flame around the burner, which is a combustion problem, not just an ignition one.

Questions people ask

My water heater pilot light will not light and a plumber quoted $250 to replace the pilot assembly kit. Is that fair, and do I even need to?: $250 is inside the typical range for a pilot assembly on a sealed-chamber unit. Whether you need to depends on the tank's age: under 8 years, yes, fix it. Past 10 years, ask the same plumber what a replacement would cost and weigh $250 against that.
Can I relight the pilot myself?: Yes, following the label on the tank: turn the control to Pilot, hold it down, click the igniter, keep holding for 30 to 60 seconds. If it will not stay lit after two tries, stop; that is the thermocouple.
My tankless unit shows an error code instead of a pilot. Same problem?: No. Tankless codes (a Navien 445 or 456, for example) usually point to scale, flow or a mixing valve. Flushing with vinegar clears some; a code that stays after a flush is a service call under the manufacturer's guidance.

What would it cost at your house?

Ranges above are national. Ask about your own home, or paste the quote you were given and we check it against the range. Free, no account for the first question.

Get a number for my house Paste my quote, check it

More on water heaters

What does a water heater expansion tank cost, and do I need one? · $250 to $500
What should a tankless water heater cost installed? · $2,000 to $5,500
Do I need a plumber to flush my water heater, and what does it cost? · $75 to $250
What does a water heater replacement cost? · $1,667 to $4,167
The water heater guide: quote check, symptoms, how long yours will last

Published 2026-10-29. Source: Viorly's repair cost database, the same numbers behind its inspection report analysis and advisor. The DIY figure is parts at retail; the pro range is before local labor differences. Lowest listed price is $120.