Swarthmore Borough · Delaware County · ZIP 19081

Swarthmore Home Inspections.

Victorians, stone and stucco Colonial Revivals, and Arts-and-Crafts homes on wooded, hilly lots around the college, plus condominium living near the train — Swarthmore is one of Delaware County’s most distinctive boroughs. Older materials need an experienced eye.

27+ years in Swarthmore · 94k inspections · 4.9★ Google reviews · Next-day reports · 100% satisfaction

Swarthmore is a historic college borough in central Delaware County, home to Swarthmore College and the Scott Arboretum, with a SEPTA station on the Media/Wawa line and the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. Its streets are lined with late-1800s and early-1900s Victorians, stone and stucco Colonial Revivals, Tudors and Arts-and-Crafts homes on wooded, hilly lots, along with condominium buildings and some mid-century homes. Homes of this age and character bring specific inspection priorities: stone and stucco walls, slate and older roofs, chimneys, original wiring and plumbing, boilers, basement water on sloping lots, and EPA Zone 1 radon throughout. ValueGuard’s ASHI-certified home inspectors in Swarthmore have been inspecting these homes since 1997 — whether you need a full pre-purchase home inspection of a Victorian, a stone colonial inspection, or a condo inspection, 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 →

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i. Why these homes are different

Period homes, period details.

Swarthmore’s character homes are beautiful — and their materials need experienced evaluation. Here’s what a thorough home inspection in Swarthmore focuses on:

i
Victorians & Colonial Revivals
Late-1800s and early-1900s homes call for careful attention to foundations, framing, slate and older roofs, decorative trim and generations of updates.
ii
Stone & Stucco Walls
Older stone and stucco exteriors wear with age. Cracking, mortar loss and failed flashing are common findings that affect moisture and repair costs.
iii
Radon Zone 1
Delaware County, including Swarthmore, is EPA Zone 1 — the highest radon-risk classification. Testing is essential on every purchase, condos included.
iv
Boilers & Original Systems
Steam and hot-water boilers, older electrical service and galvanized or cast-iron plumbing are common in period homes and affect cost and insurance.
v
Wooded, Sloping Lots
Swarthmore’s hilly, tree-filled lots send water toward foundations and shade roofs. Grading, gutters and basement moisture get a close look.
vi
Condominium Buildings
Condo units need a close look at the interior systems and accessible common areas, plus a clear sense of what the association is responsible for.

← Swipe to see all six →

The Swarthmore character standard

Swarthmore’s Victorians and stone colonials are irreplaceable — and their slate roofs, chimneys, boilers and stone basements are where both the charm and the repair costs live. Our most experienced Delaware County inspectors handle these homes and explain which findings are normal for the age of the house and which deserve negotiation. And because Delaware County is EPA Zone 1, every Swarthmore inspection should include radon testing.

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From our recent caseload

Recently inspected in Swarthmore.

A home from a recent ValueGuard inspection in Swarthmore — a unit in a brick condominium building near the center of the borough.

Brick condominium building with a landscaped entry in Swarthmore, PA inspected by ValueGuard home inspectors
No. 01
Condo living
Brick Condominium
A unit in a brick mid-rise condominium building with a landscaped entry court. Condo inspections focus on the unit and its systems — and on the shared components the association maintains.

Inspection priorities

iUnit electrical, plumbing & HVAC
iiWindows, balcony & water entry
iiiCommon-area conditions
ivRadon (EPA Zone 1)

Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in Swarthmore.

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ii. The services that matter most

What to inspect in Swarthmore.

Service i.
Home Inspection
A comprehensive evaluation of structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems — calibrated to Swarthmore’s Victorians, stone colonials and condos — delivered as a photo-rich report the next business day. Condos from $329.
Service ii.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Strongly recommended for Swarthmore’s older homes, where clay and cast-iron laterals can be close to a century old and run under large trees. Our camera travels the full lateral from cleanout to main.
Service iii.
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.
Service iv.
Termite / WDI & Mold Testing
Termite and wood-destroying-insect inspections are required by most lenders, and mold testing is key for older stone basements and any home with signs of moisture. Both can be added in a single visit.

← Swipe to see all four →

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iii. Your local inspection team

Meet your Swarthmore home inspectors.

When you book ValueGuard in Swarthmore, you get ASHI-certified home inspectors with deep expertise in Delaware County’s housing stock — from Victorians and stone colonials to Arts-and-Crafts homes and condos. Swipe or use the arrows to meet all 10 inspectors serving Swarthmore and Delaware County.


MK

Michael Kelley
Master Inspector — 20+ Years, 10,000+ Inspections

20+ years and 10,000+ inspections across Southeastern PA, and one of ValueGuard’s most requested inspectors. Former VP of Tri-State ASHI and an ASHI National Ethics Committee member, he is especially valuable for Swarthmore’s Victorians, stone colonials and other period homes.

DB

David Bollinger
Master Inspector — ASHI Since 2003

Inspecting residential and commercial properties across all five Greater Philadelphia counties since 2003. In very high demand from client referrals. Especially skilled at turning a complex inspection report into practical negotiation guidance for Delaware County buyers.

TD

Todd Denney
ASHI Certified Inspector

Brings a background in carpentry, exterior renovations, and remediation to every inspection — with a deep working knowledge of home construction and what less experienced inspectors tend to miss. Licensed termite inspector.

NO

Nick Ostrowski
ASHI Certified — Greater Philadelphia Local

ASHI-certified since 2016, Nick brings genuine local knowledge to every Swarthmore inspection. Clients consistently describe him as thorough, patient, and excellent at explaining what every finding means for them as a buyer.

TG

Tyler Gilger
Technical Service Manager — Master Inspector

One of the most thorough inspectors on the team — known for spending 5+ hours on a single property when the job demands it. Consistently praised for his ability to access difficult spaces and explain complex findings in clear, straightforward language.

SH

Steven Haslam
Master Inspector — 7,000+ Inspections

An ASHI member inspector since 2007 with 7,000+ inspections across Greater Philadelphia. Highly experienced with Delaware County’s full range of housing — from historic Main Line homes to suburban colonials to new construction.

MB

Michael Baltrush
Master Inspector — 6,000+ Inspections

15+ years and 6,000+ inspections across Southeastern PA. Brings the kind of pattern recognition that only comes from inspecting thousands of homes across every era of Delaware County construction.

CS

Cory Shalaway
Director of Technical Services — Master Inspector

As ValueGuard’s Director of Technical Services, Cory brings unmatched local knowledge to Swarthmore inspections, from Victorians and stone colonials to Arts-and-Crafts homes and condos. Known for arriving early, communicating clearly, and delivering exceptionally thorough, photo-rich reports.

JR

James Royer
ASHI Certified — President, Keystone ASHI

James brings deep local expertise to Swarthmore and the surrounding Wallingford and Swarthmore area, where Victorians, stone colonials, and condominiums each demand a careful, experienced eye. Recently elected President of Keystone ASHI, he is among the region’s most credentialed and respected inspectors.

JT

Joe Topper
Home Inspector — 2,500+ Inspections

Joe brings the ValueGuard standards of thoroughness, patience, and clear communication that clients expect across the entire team. Available 7 days a week for Delaware County inspections.

Schedule now
Meet our full team →

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iv. Services & pricing

Swarthmore inspection pricing.

Starting prices shown. Final price confirmed at booking. See full pricing →

Service From Notes
Home Inspection $429 Single-family; size & age-based
Condo Inspection $329 Interior unit + accessible common areas
Radon Testing Add-on Zone 1 county — strongly recommended
Termite / WDI Add-on Licensed & certified; required by most lenders
Sewer Scope Add-on Recommended for older homes & mature trees
Mold Inspection Add-on Air sampling; key for older stone basements
Pre-Listing Inspection From $429 Sellers: list with confidence
Value Package · $829 · save $149 Value + Sewer Scope · $1,108 · save $199 Full Protection · $1,457 · save $249

See full pricing and packages →

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v. What Swarthmore 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

← Swipe to see all three →

Read all 1,300+ Google reviews →·See our reviews page →

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vi. Common questions

Swarthmore home inspection FAQs.

How much does a home inspection cost in Swarthmore, PA?
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Home inspections start at $429 for a single-family home and $329 for a condo. Final pricing reflects the home’s size and age. Packages save more: Value Package $829 (save $149), Value + Sewer Scope $1,108 (save $199), and Full Protection $1,457 (save up to $249). Get an instant quote online or call (215) 860-3150.
Is radon testing necessary in Swarthmore, PA?
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Yes. Delaware County, including Swarthmore, is EPA Zone 1 — the highest radon-risk classification. Radon levels vary dramatically from house to house, even next door, so testing is the only way to know — and it applies to new construction just as much as older homes. Our DEP-certified technicians use tamper-resistant electronic monitors and deliver results within 48 hours.
What are the most common issues in Swarthmore homes?
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Common findings include slate and older roof repairs, chimney and masonry wear, stucco cracking, aging boilers and older electrical service, galvanized and cast-iron plumbing, basement seepage on sloping lots, root intrusion in older sewer laterals, and elevated radon. Our home inspectors explain what’s routine for a home of its age versus what’s worth negotiating.
Do you inspect Victorian and stone homes in Swarthmore?
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Yes. Period homes need extra time on stone walls, mortar, slate and older roofs, chimneys, boilers and original wiring and plumbing. Our most experienced inspectors handle these homes regularly and explain which findings are normal for the age of the house.
Do you inspect condos in Swarthmore?
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Yes. Condo inspections start at $329 and cover the unit, its systems, and accessible common areas. We’ll note anything that may fall under the association’s responsibility so you know what to ask before closing.
Do I need a sewer scope in Swarthmore?
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For most Swarthmore single-family homes, yes. Older clay and cast-iron laterals are prone to root intrusion, cracks and offsets, and repairs can cost $10,000 or more. A camera scope costs a few hundred dollars and documents the full line before you close.
Can I attend the home inspection?
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Absolutely — and we encourage it. Our home inspectors walk you through every finding in real time and answer your questions on the spot. Most Swarthmore inspections run 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the size and age of the home.
How quickly can I schedule a home inspection in Swarthmore?
+
Typically within 1–3 business days, often same-week. We inspect seven days a week and deliver reports by email the next business day — most of the time the same day. For tight contingency windows, call us directly at (215) 860-3150.
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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.

AstonChichesterClifton HeightsCollingdaleDarbyDrexel HillFolcroftFolsomGarnet ValleyGlen MillsGlenoldenHavertownLansdowneLinwoodMarcus HookMediaMortonNewtown SquareNorwoodRidley ParkSharon HillSpringfieldSwarthmoreThorntonUpper DarbyVillanovaWallingfordWayneYeadonAll Delaware County Towns →

Ready when you are

Let’s take a closer look at your Swarthmore 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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ValueGuard Home Inspections — Swarthmore
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 Swarthmore  ·  Serving Swarthmore (19081) and all of Delaware County, PA