Chester is Pennsylvania’s oldest city, on the Delaware River in southern Delaware County, home to Widener University, Subaru Park and the Chester-Upland School District. Its housing is mostly late-1800s and early-1900s brick rowhomes, porch-front twins and Victorians, along with post-war homes and many recently renovated properties. Homes of this age share common inspection priorities: masonry and porches, shared party walls, flat and low-slope roofs, older wiring and plumbing, aging boilers and chimneys, basement water, decades-old sewer laterals, workmanship in renovations, and EPA Zone 1 radon. ValueGuard’s ASHI-certified home inspectors in Chester have been inspecting these homes since 1997 — whether you need a full pre-purchase home inspection of a rowhome, a twin inspection, or an inspection of a recently renovated home, you get findings you can negotiate from.
Inspections from $429 — condos from $329. Save with a package:
| Value Package · $829 · save $149 | Value + Sewer Scope · $1,108 · save $199 | Full Protection · $1,457 · save $249 |
See full pricing and packages →
i. Why these homes are different
Historic city, honest findings.
Most Chester homes were built between the 1900s and the 1960s. Here’s what a thorough home inspection in Chester focuses on:
Rowhomes & Twins
Shared walls mean we look closely at shared flashing, rear flat roofs, attic fire separation, foundations and whether utilities are fully separated.
Porches & Masonry
Front porches, brick and stone walls, mortar joints and chimneys all wear with age. Porch framing, roof tie-ins and repointing needs are common findings.
Radon Zone 1
Delaware County, including Chester, is EPA Zone 1 — the highest radon-risk classification. Testing is essential on every purchase.
Boilers, Wiring & Plumbing
Older boilers and furnaces, undersized electrical service, ungrounded circuits and galvanized or cast-iron plumbing are common in homes of this age.
Renovations & Flips
Many Chester homes have been recently renovated. We look past fresh finishes to check electrical, plumbing, roofing and structural work underneath.
Aging Sewer Laterals
Clay and cast-iron laterals that are 60 to 100 years old are prone to root intrusion and offsets. A camera scope documents the full line before you close.
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The Chester city standard
Chester draws first-time buyers and investors alike — and both historic homes and recent flips reward a careful inspection. Our Delaware County inspectors look past fresh paint and new finishes to the electrical, plumbing, roofing and structural work underneath, and focus on masonry, heating and sewer laterals in older homes. And because Delaware County is EPA Zone 1, every Chester inspection should include radon testing.
From our recent caseload
Recently inspected in Chester.
Three homes from recent ValueGuard inspections in Chester — a twin with a front porch, a brick rowhome with a red porch, and a brick home with a side entry. One city, three different home inspections. Swipe or use the arrows to see all three.
No. 01
Twin with Front Porch
A twin with a covered front porch, railings and siding over the original structure. Porch framing, shared walls and what’s behind updated siding are the focus here.
No. 02
Brick Rowhome with Porch
A brick rowhome with a red-painted porch and arched windows. Rear flat roofs, porch roofs and masonry are where rowhomes like this most often need work.
No. 03
Brick Home with Side Entry
A brick home with a side entry, storm door and new windows. On renovated homes we look past the new finishes to the work underneath.
Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in Chester.
ii. The services that matter most
What to inspect in Chester.
Home Inspection
A comprehensive evaluation of structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems — calibrated to Chester’s rowhomes, twins, Victorians and renovated homes — delivered as a photo-rich report the next business day. Condos from $329.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Strongly recommended for most Chester homes, where clay and cast-iron laterals have been underground for decades. Our camera travels the full lateral from cleanout to main and documents what it finds.
Radon Testing
Delaware County is EPA Zone 1, the highest radon-risk tier. Our PA DEP-certified technicians use tamper-resistant electronic monitors with 48-hour turnaround. Mitigation, if needed, typically runs $800 to $2,500.
Termite / WDI & Mold Testing
Termite and wood-destroying-insect inspections are required by most lenders, and mold testing is key for older basements and any home with signs of moisture. Both can be added in a single visit.
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iii. Your local inspection team
Meet your Chester home inspectors.
When you book ValueGuard in Chester, you get ASHI-certified home inspectors with deep expertise in Delaware County’s housing stock — from historic rowhomes and twins to Victorians and renovated homes. Swipe or use the arrows to meet all 10 inspectors serving Chester and Delaware County.
Schedule now
Meet our full team →
iv. Services & pricing
Chester inspection pricing.
Starting prices shown. Final price confirmed at booking. See full pricing →
| Value Package · $829 · save $149 | Value + Sewer Scope · $1,108 · save $199 | Full Protection · $1,457 · save $249 |
See full pricing and packages →
v. What Chester buyers say
From recent buyers.
★★★★★
James was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He has great attention to detail and excellent communication skills. Would highly recommend.
Lindsey Kuhl
Google · Inspector: James Royer
★★★★★
Cory and Michael were amazing! So glad ValueGuard was recommended to me. Scheduling was smooth and the inspections were thorough.
Kaity Quay
Google · Inspectors: Cory Shalaway & Michael Kelley
★★★★★
Michael did an excellent job. He arrived early, was thorough in every area, and took the time to explain each finding clearly. Completely understand why our agent recommended this company.
Dayna Marie
Google · Inspector: Michael Kelley
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Read all 1,300+ Google reviews →·See our reviews page →
vi. Common questions
Chester home inspection FAQs.
How much does a home inspection cost in Chester, PA?
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Is radon testing necessary in Chester, PA?
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What are the most common issues in Chester homes?
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What should I look for when buying a twin in Chester?
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How do you inspect a recently renovated or flipped home in Chester?
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Do I need a sewer scope in Chester?
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Can I attend the home inspection?
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How quickly can I schedule a home inspection in Chester?
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vii. Serving all of Delaware County
Also inspecting nearby communities.
Wherever you’re buying in Delaware County, ValueGuard is your local home inspector.
Ready when you are
Let’s take a closer look at your Chester home.
Book online in under 3 minutes — or call (215) 860-3150. Seven days a week. Report in your inbox tomorrow. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
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100 E Penn Square, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107 · (215) 860-3150
Inspections 7 days a week · Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm · ASHI-certified home inspectors in Chester · Serving Chester (19013) and all of Delaware County, PA
