How to Read a Home Inspection Report (Without Panicking)
Every home inspection report looks alarming. Here's how to separate real issues from cosmetic notes — and what to do next.
Inspectors flag everything — that's their job
A good inspector's report will have dozens of items, and 80% of them are minor. Missing GFCI outlets, a loose railing, or paint touch-ups aren't 'defects' — they're routine. The report is a starting point for negotiation and a checklist for future repairs.
The three categories that matter
1. Safety — gas leaks, electrical panel issues, structural cracks. Address before move-in. 2. Material — water intrusion, HVAC end-of-life, roof at end of life. Negotiate credit or repair. 3. Cosmetic / maintenance — the rest. Fix on your own timeline.
Turning the report into an action plan
Upload the PDF to Matly. It groups items by trade and severity, generates a materials list for what you'd need to fix each one, and estimates cost. Then you can decide what's worth doing yourself, negotiating on, or hiring out.
Let Matly build this list for you.
Upload a photo or contractor quote — get a full materials list in 60 seconds.
Keep reading
Upload an inspection report and Matly generates a complete materials list for every flagged item. Here's what to expect.
The anatomy of a materials list that gets you through a project in one shopping trip. The categories most DIYers skip.