Home Services Calculators
Estimators for the home repair and contractor work most homeowners only need a couple times in their life. Each calculator includes when to call a licensed pro instead of DIYing it.
Water Heater Size Calculator
How it works
Tank heaters are sized by first-hour rating (FHR) — gallons delivered in the first hour from a full tank. Gas tanks recover faster than electric, so they need a smaller gallon size for the same FHR target. Tankless heaters are sized by GPM (gallons per minute) based on the number of fixtures that might run simultaneously and the temperature rise needed in your area.
When to use it
Before buying a replacement water heater, when comparing tank vs tankless, or when your family is always running out of hot water and you suspect your current unit is undersized.
Common mistakes
Buying the same size that's already there without checking whether it was right to begin with. A 40-gallon tank from a 1-bathroom era may be wrong for a 4-person, 3-bathroom home.
Sump Pump Sizing Calculator
How it works
Pump capacity is rated in gallons per hour (GPH) at zero lift. Real-world capacity drops about 10% per 5 feet of lift, so a pump rated 4,000 GPH at zero feet might only deliver 2,500 GPH at 10 feet of head. The calculator accounts for the lift loss and adds a 30% safety margin so the pump isn't running 100% of the time during a storm.
When to use it
Before buying a primary or backup sump pump, when sizing a battery backup, or when your existing pump is running constantly during storms (sign of being undersized).
Common mistakes
Sizing for "average" inflow rather than worst-case-storm inflow. The pump only matters when it's overwhelmed; size for the day you'll really need it. Also: skipping battery backup. Storms knock out power exactly when you need the pump.
Radon Mitigation Cost Estimator
How it works
Most radon mitigation systems use sub-slab depressurization: a fan pulls air from below the foundation and vents it above the roofline, creating negative pressure that prevents radon from entering the home. Cost depends mainly on the foundation type (basement is easiest, slab and mixed foundations cost more) and how easy the discharge run is.
When to use it
After a radon test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher (the EPA action level), or as a precaution if your home is in a high-radon zone (most of Indiana is in EPA Zone 1).
Common mistakes
Skipping the post-mitigation test. Always test again 30 days after installation to confirm the system actually brought levels below 4 pCi/L. Also: hiring an unlicensed contractor — Indiana licenses radon mitigators specifically.
Mold Remediation Cost Estimator
How it works
Cost is driven by affected area, location, and how deep the mold has penetrated. Surface mold on tile is cheap (cleaning + sealing). Mold behind drywall requires demo and reconstruction. Mold in HVAC or framing requires specialized containment, negative-air machines, and certified remediation companies.
When to use it
After a water leak, flood, or persistent musty smell, when shopping for mold remediation quotes, or to budget before a bathroom remodel that's exposing what's behind the walls.
Common mistakes
Bleaching surface mold and assuming it's gone. Bleach kills surface spores but doesn't penetrate porous materials, so the mold often comes back. Anything larger than ~10 sq ft or anything that's been wet for more than 48 hours should be handled by a pro.
Well Pump Replacement Cost Estimator
How it works
Submersible pumps live at the bottom of the well and have to be physically pulled out for replacement — labor scales with well depth. Jet pumps sit at the surface, so they're cheaper to swap. Adding a new pressure tank at the same time is the standard recommendation if your tank is more than 10–15 years old.
When to use it
When your well pump fails (no water, short cycling, or constant running), when your pressure tank's bladder ruptures, or when you're buying a property with an old well system and want to budget for likely near-term replacement.
Common mistakes
Replacing only the pump when the pressure tank is also failing — you'll be paying for a pump pull twice. Get both inspected at once. Also: trying DIY on a deep submersible — pulling 150+ feet of pipe and wire requires specialized equipment.
Home Inspection Cost Calculator
How it works
Base inspection price scales with square footage. Older homes cost more because there's more to inspect (more potential issues, more components to evaluate). Add-on tests like radon and sewer scope are usually billed separately and are often well worth the extra cost on older properties.
When to use it
Before making an offer on a home, when comparing inspector quotes, or when a real estate agent suggests a "pre-listing inspection" before you sell. Also useful for a "maintenance inspection" every few years on a home you already own.
Common mistakes
Skipping the sewer scope on any home built before ~1980. Older sewer laterals (clay or cast iron) are the most expensive surprise repair on the planet — $3,000–$15,000 — and a $200 camera scope tells you in 30 minutes whether you're inheriting the problem.