From Wilmington rowhomes and Brandywine Hundred ranches to Newark colonials and Middletown new construction — inspected by a Delaware-licensed home inspector. 94,000+ inspections since 1997.
DE licensed ·94k inspections ·4.9★ Google reviews·Next-day reports ·100% satisfaction
ValueGuard Home Inspections performs home inspections throughout New Castle County, Delaware — Wilmington, Newark, New Castle, Bear, Hockessin, Pike Creek, Middletown, and every community in between. Delaware requires home inspectors to be licensed by the state Board of Home Inspectors, and every New Castle County inspection is performed by Todd Denney, our Delaware-licensed (H4-0010218), ASHI-certified home inspector. You get the same photo-rich report Greater Philadelphia buyers have trusted since 1997 — delivered by the next business day, and usually the same day.
Inspections from $429 — condos from $329. Save with a package:
One county, four very different housing stocks: city rowhomes in Wilmington, mid-century suburbs in Brandywine Hundred, college-town colonials and rentals in Newark, and brand-new subdivisions in Middletown. Here’s what we focus on:
iMid-Century Ranches & Split-LevelsBrandywine Hundred, Claymont, Newark, and the communities along Route 202 were built out in the 1950s through 1970s. We evaluate aging electrical panels and branch wiring, galvanized supply lines, original ductwork and HVAC equipment, and the slab and crawl space foundations common to this era.
iiWilmington Rowhomes & Historic DistrictsTrolley Square, the Highlands, Little Italy, Forty Acres, and Quaker Hill share a lot with Philadelphia: masonry party walls, low-slope roofs, cast iron drain lines, and pre-war wiring. Our team has inspected tens of thousands of rowhomes like these.
iiiCrawl Spaces & DrainageSouth of the Christina River and the C&D Canal, flat coastal-plain terrain and seasonally high groundwater put pressure on crawl spaces and basements. We look closely at vapor barriers, sump pumps, grading, gutters, and signs of long-term moisture in framing.
ivThe New Construction BoomMiddletown, Odessa, and Townsend have added thousands of new homes. Builders move fast, and new does not mean flawless — we document framing, roofing, grading, insulation, and finish issues while you can still get them on the builder’s list.
vRadon Hot SpotsNew Castle County is EPA Zone 2 overall, but state data shows some ZIP codes run far higher — about 27% of Middletown homes and 22% of Odessa homes tested above the EPA action level. Radon testing belongs in almost every county inspection.
viTownhomes & Condo CommunitiesPike Creek, Bear, Glasgow, and Newark are full of townhome and condo communities where the line between your responsibility and the HOA’s matters. We inspect the unit and its systems and note shared components worth asking the association about.
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A disclosure is not an inspection
Delaware sellers must complete a Seller’s Disclosure of Real Property Condition Report and disclose any radon testing they know of. That form only covers what the seller knows about — and is willing to write down. An independent inspection by a Delaware-licensed home inspector is how you find out what the disclosure doesn’t say, while you still have time to negotiate.
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From our recent caseload
Recently inspected in New Castle County.
Three homes from recent ValueGuard inspections in New Castle County — a mid-century ranch, a Wilmington condo, and new construction in Middletown. Same county, three entirely different inspections. Swipe or use the arrows to see all three.
No. 01
North Wilmington1960s Brick RanchA classic Brandywine Hundred ranch with a brick front, attached garage, and a deep fenced lot. Sixty-year-old homes like this one often hide original drain lines, aging panels, and decades of layered updates.
Services performed
iHome inspection
iiSewer scope
iiiRadon testing
ivTermite / WDI & MoistureGuard
No. 02
WilmingtonGarden-Style CondominiumA three-story brick condo building from the late 1970s with private balconies. Condo buyers need a clear picture of the unit’s own systems — and of the shared components the association maintains.
Services performed
iCondo inspection
iiUnit electrical, plumbing & HVAC
iiiBalcony & sliding door evaluation
ivAccessible common-area review
No. 03
MiddletownNew Construction HomeA brand-new two-story home in a growing Middletown development, inspected before closing. New homes still come with grading, roofing, and finish issues — the time to find them is before the builder hands over the keys.
Services performed
iNew construction home inspection
iiRoof & attic evaluation
iiiGrading & drainage review
ivBuilder punch-list documentation
Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in New Castle County, Delaware.
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ii. The four services that matter most
Four services every New Castle County buyer needs.
Service i.Radon TestingNew Castle County is EPA Zone 2, but radon is uneven here: Middletown, Odessa, Townsend, Arden, and Hockessin ZIP codes post some of the highest rates in Delaware. We use tamper-resistant continuous electronic monitors with results in 48 hours — well inside your contingency window.
Service ii.Termite / WDI InspectionDelaware’s humid summers and mild winters keep subterranean termites active for much of the year, especially around crawl spaces, wood decks, and slabs with wood in contact with soil. A wood-destroying insect inspection is required by many lenders and belongs in nearly every purchase.
Service iii.Sewer Scope InspectionOlder Wilmington neighborhoods and 1950s–70s suburbs still drain through clay and cast iron laterals prone to root intrusion, cracking, and offset joints. The private lateral between the house and the public main is typically the owner’s to repair — a camera inspection shows its condition before you close.
Service iv.Mold TestingCrawl space humidity, basement seepage, and poorly vented bathrooms are common sources of mold in county homes. Our mold testing uses air sampling to compare indoor and outdoor spore levels, so you know whether a problem is cosmetic or something bigger.
Delaware requires every home inspector to hold a state license. At ValueGuard, New Castle County inspections are performed by Todd Denney — so the same inspector who knows the county’s housing stock is the one walking your home.
TD
Todd DenneyDelaware Licensed Home Inspector — ASHI Certified
Todd spent years in the building trades before becoming a home inspector, specializing in carpentry, exterior renovations, and remediation. That hands-on background shows in his inspections: he knows how homes are actually built, where shortcuts get taken, and what less experienced inspectors tend to miss. He is also a licensed termite inspector, and clients consistently describe him as patient, thorough, and clear about what each finding means for them as a buyer.
Mike B. did an incredible and thorough job with my house inspection! No stone was left unturned in this 100+ year old house. He had a lot of Philadelphia-house experience, which was essential while looking at a more historical home.
Megan KlossGoogle · Inspectors: Mike B. & Tyler · Mar 2025
“★★★★★
I found ValueGuard through my #1 search for a Philadelphia home inspection company. Michael was extremely thorough and professional — he explained everything step by step and never rushed or cut corners. I highly recommend ValueGuard and Michael Kelley if you need a reliable and detailed home inspection in Philadelphia.
Emmy WanGoogle · Inspector: Michael Kelley · Mar 2026
“★★★★★
This was my second time using ValueGuard. Joe did an awesome job inspecting the house in the East Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia. He was thorough and willing to answer all of our questions. I definitely recommend him.
S SampsellGoogle · East Oak Lane, Philadelphia · May 2026
How much does a home inspection cost in New Castle County, Delaware? +
Home inspections start at $429 for a single-family home, townhome, or twin, and condo inspections start at $329. Final pricing depends on square footage, age, and property type. 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.
Do home inspectors need a license in Delaware? +
Yes. Delaware requires anyone performing home inspections for compensation to be licensed by the Delaware Board of Home Inspectors, part of the Division of Professional Regulation. ValueGuard’s New Castle County inspections are performed by Todd Denney, Delaware home inspector license H4-0010218 and ASHI member #261809. Always confirm your inspector’s Delaware license before you book.
How do I choose a good home inspector in New Castle County? +
Start with the basics: a current Delaware home inspector license, ASHI membership and its Standard of Practice, and insurance. Then look for local experience — the county ranges from Wilmington rowhomes to 1960s ranches to brand-new subdivisions, and each fails in different ways. Ask for a sample report; a good home inspector delivers a photo-rich report the next day that you can actually negotiate from. Check independent reviews, and choose someone who lets you attend and explains findings in plain language. ValueGuard is rated 4.9 stars across 1,300+ Google reviews.
Is radon testing necessary in New Castle County? +
We recommend it for almost every purchase. New Castle County is EPA Zone 2 (moderate potential), but Delaware Division of Public Health data shows wide variation: roughly 27% of homes tested in Middletown and 22% in Odessa were above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, with Townsend, Arden, Hockessin, and Talleyville also among the higher-risk areas. Delaware sellers must disclose radon tests they know about, but most homes have never been tested. Our continuous electronic monitors return results in 48 hours.
Do I need a sewer scope when buying in Wilmington or New Castle County? +
For older homes, it is one of the best investments you can make. Many Wilmington properties and 1950s–1970s suburban homes still have clay or cast iron sewer laterals that are prone to root intrusion, cracking, and separated joints. The private lateral between the house and the public main is typically the owner’s responsibility, and repairs often run into the thousands. A camera inspection during your contingency period shows the condition of the line before you close.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a home in Delaware? +
In most cases, yes. Many lenders require a wood-destroying insect (WDI) inspection, and Delaware’s humid climate keeps subterranean termites active much of the year. Crawl spaces, decks, and wood framing close to soil are common entry points. Todd is a licensed termite inspector, so the WDI inspection can be done during the same visit as your home inspection.
Should I get an inspection on a new construction home in Middletown? +
Yes. New homes in Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend are built quickly, and municipal code inspections check minimum requirements, not workmanship. We regularly find grading and drainage issues, roofing and flashing details, missing insulation, and finish defects on new builds. Inspecting before closing — and again before your builder warranty expires — gives you documentation the builder has to address.
Doesn’t the seller’s disclosure tell me what is wrong with the house? +
Only partly. Delaware sellers must complete a Seller’s Disclosure of Real Property Condition Report, but it only covers what the seller knows about and is willing to report. It is not an inspection. An independent inspection by a Delaware-licensed home inspector evaluates the roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more, and gives you photo documentation to support repair requests or credits.
How soon can I schedule, and when will I get my report? +
We typically have availability within a few days across New Castle County, and inspections run seven days a week. Book as soon as your agreement of sale is signed, since contingency periods are short. Your report is delivered by the next business day, and most reports arrive the same day as the inspection. Book online 24/7 or call (215) 860-3150.
Who will inspect my New Castle County home? +
Todd Denney, ValueGuard’s Delaware-licensed home inspector (license H4-0010218, ASHI #261809). Before becoming an inspector, Todd worked in carpentry, exterior renovations, and remediation, and he is also a licensed termite inspector. He covers all of New Castle County, from Wilmington and Newark to Bear, Hockessin, and Middletown.
vii. Serving all of New Castle County
New Castle County communities we inspect.
Wherever you’re buying in New Castle County — from the Pennsylvania line to the southern end of the county — ValueGuard is your local, Delaware-licensed home inspector.
ValueGuard Home Inspections — New Castle County, Delaware100 E Penn Square, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107 · (215) 860-3150Inspections 7 days a week · Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm · Delaware-licensed, ASHI-certified home inspector · Serving all of New Castle County, DE, plus Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks & Lancaster Counties, PA
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