ValueGuard PA Home Inspections

In most cases, purchasing real estate is the largest investment that you will ever make. Gaining insight into the general condition of the building, major deficiencies in any of the components, the age of its systems and corresponding life expectancies, the need for repairs and the positive attributes of the property (i.e.: new roof, low maintenance exteriors and upgrades) gives you the necessary facts to make an informed buying decision.

The simple axiom is that the more you know about the property - the less your exposure to the risks inherent in purchasing the property.

Starting at the exterior of the property, the inspector will visually inspect the roof, flashing, chimneys, gutters, and downspouts. The home inspector will then inspect the siding, trim, windows, doors, decks, walkways and driveways. Drainage issues, retaining walls and patios will be inspected as to any negative impact that they may pose on the building.

After the home inspector has completed his survey of the exterior he will inspect the visible framing members in the attic and basement for signs of structural defects and prior repairs.

The inspector will also visually inspect the electrical system, the heating and cooling systems, the plumbing, insulation, and appliances. While these areas are being observed the inspector will note any deficiencies in the interior components of the home.

In addition to noting any visible defects, throughout the inspection, the home inspector will explain how the various systems of the home operate and give you information on how to maintain the home. It is a good idea to bring a pad of paper and any questions that you may have to the inspection so the inspector can address your concerns during the on-site walk-through.

After the inspection is complete, the inspector will produce a written report that describes the systems and components of the home and reports the defects and repairs that were noted during the inspection.

Absolutely. Contrary to what many people think, brand new homes and homes under construction should be inspected regardless of whether they will be conveyed with a builder's warranty. Further, the inspections that are completed by local code enforcement officials are focused primarily on a narrow set of code compliance issues and are not nearly as broad or inclusive.

Our inspectors routinely observe structural, heating, cooling, roofing, exterior, plumbing and interior defects in new homes that may go unnoticed by both the builder and purchaser until they become a substantial problem. ValueGuard offers several new construction inspections:

Completed Home

ValueGuard will perform its standard comprehensive building inspection prior to settlement and produce a full written report detailing the inspector's findings.

Three Phase New Construction Progress Inspection

Part 1 - The home inspector will visit the property when the foundation has been poured, but prior to backfill and inspect the foundation, footings, basement slab preparation work, and foundation drainage system. The inspector's findings will be detailed in writing and provided in duplicate to the client.


Part 2 - The building will be inspected prior to the installation of the insulation. The inspector will inspect the framing, sheathing, roofing materials and the rough electrical, heating and plumbing work. Again, the inspector's findings will be detailed in writing and provided in duplicate to the client.


Part 3 - When the building is completed, the inspector will inspect the exterior, roof, gutters, chimneys, flashings, siding, trim, doors and site. He will also inspect the finished heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and interior systems. A standard ValueGuard comprehensive written report is supplied after this stage of the inspection process.

Weekly New Construction Progress Inspection

ValueGuard also offers weekly construction monitoring where the inspector visits the project once a week to monitor the work as it progresses. The inspector's findings will be detailed in writing and provided in duplicate to the client so a copy can be forwarded to the builder. When the building is complete, but prior to settlement, a final comprehensive inspection is performed and a written report is supplied to the client.

Eleventh Month New Construction Inspection

ValueGuard will perform a full inspection of the property for any issues that should be brought to the builder's attention prior to the lapse of the builder's warranty. A standard ValueGuard comprehensive written report is supplied to the client.

YES, if at all possible. Valuable information regarding the condition of the home and its systems can be gained from spending just a few hours with one of our home inspectors. Our inspectors welcome your questions throughout the inspection process.  Information on the proper operation and maintenance of the building and its systems is also given at the time of the physical inspection.

At ValueGuard we feel very strongly that you are our client, and we want you to have the most accurate and thorough understanding about the condition of your new home. If you cannot attend the inspection, your ValueGuard home inspector will complete the inspection, produce the written report and call you to discuss the home and the items contained in the report.

Plan on 2 to 3 hours, but the time can vary depending on the size, age and general condition of the home being inspected. Smaller properties may take less time, while large and complex properties take longer. 

Our inspectors are quite thorough and never rush, so please feel free to ask lots of questions during the inspection!

Unlike many inspection companies that use checklists or "cookie cutter" reports, ValueGuard prepares a comprehensive narrative report that is custom tailored to the home that is being inspected.

Each major system of the property has a separate section that explains the system, its positive attributes, maintenance advice, and any defects that the inspector noted at the time of his/her inspection. All sections of the report are divided into three parts, which itemize the Major Defects, Safety Concerns and Other Comments.

The report also includes an Overview section that discusses the more significant issues, the inspector's recommendations and a section of general maintenance advice and service frequencies for the systems.

Simply stated, while nearly all home inspection companies tout their reports as the best, they are primarily designed to be easy for the inspection company to produce and deliver. ValueGuard specifically designed its report to be easy for the consumer to understand.

ValueGuard home inspection fees are based on the type of property inspected (home, condo, commercial) and its size, age and complexity; not the selling price of the property.

Rest assured our home inspection prices are competitive. Please contact our office at 610-642-5500, 215-860-3150 or toll-free at 800-965-8520 and we'll be happy to provide pricing and availability.

ValueGuard Home Inspections proudly serve Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware.

In Pennsylvania, ValueGuard performs inspections in the following counties: Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lancaster County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Philadelphia County, PA.

ValueGuard performs inspections throughout the City of Philadelphia. 

ValueGuard USA Inc.
345 West Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA 19041

640 Franklin Place, Unit E
Philadelphia, PA  19123

Email: info@valueguardusa.com

In New Jersey, ValueGuard performs home inspections in Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cape May County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Ocean County, NJ; Salem County, NJ.   
NJ Phone:  856-429-4188

In Delaware, ValueGuard performs home inspections in Kent County, DE and New Castle County, DE.
DE Phone:  302-475-9010

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. This gas moves through the earth and enters buildings through cracks and/or holes in foundations and floors and accumulates. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Surgeon General have identified Radon gas as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Living in a home with elevated radon readings for a long period of time significantly increases your chances of contracting the disease. The risk is even more pronounced if you smoke or have ever smoked.

Testing for Radon is highly recommended. The EPA and Surgeon General recommend testing for all homes below the third floor for Radon. The EPA also recommends that all schools be tested. However, since Radon can get into any building, it is certainly advisable to test office and other buildings as well. 

You cannot see, smell or taste Radon; however, it may be a problem in your home or a property you are purchasing.  The only way to determine if you are at risk from Radon is to perform testing.  EPA recommends that homes with high Radon concentration above 4pCi/L be mitigated.  There are many straight-forward reduction techniques that will work in almost any home.

In Pennsylvania, ValueGuard Certified Radon Technicians utilize continuous electronic radon monitors which detect any unusual readings of radon, temperature and humidity caused by opening the surrounding windows.  Tilt and power sensors detect if the monitor is moved to a different location.  Hourly barometric pressure readings will even help detect unusual radon averages due to extreme weather conditions.  All data is reviewed for any sign of suspected tampering by a team of trained professionals. 

The results are provided to our clients in a professional, four-page Certified Radon Report that provides the overall average Radon concentration, as well as hourly graphs detailing temperature, radon concentration and barometric pressure for the duration of the 48-hour test. At ValueGuard our Radon testing is reliable, accurate and easy to perform for our clients. 

ValueGuard's Pennsylvania Radon technicians are certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiation Protection - Radon Division. 

The discounted price of a ValueGuard Certified Radon test in Pennsylvania with a home inspection is $120.  The regular price of a ValueGuard Certified Radon test is $145. 

We can generally schedule your Radon test with 24 hours notice! 

Please call us at 610-642-5500 or 215-860-3150 or toll-free at 800-965-8520 to set up an appointment.