East Kensington · River Wards · ZIP 19125

East Kensington Home Inspections.

Nineteenth- and early-20th-century brick rowhomes, full rehabs and new townhomes on former factory lots between Fishtown and Kensington — East Kensington is one of the River Wards’ busiest markets.

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

East Kensington is a River Wards neighborhood north of Fishtown, roughly between Front Street, Lehigh Avenue and Frankford Avenue, with the Frankford Avenue arts corridor and Norris Square nearby. Its housing is mostly two- and three-story brick rowhomes built from the late 1800s through the 1920s, many recently rehabbed, along with new-construction townhomes and small condo buildings on former industrial lots. That shapes the inspection: flat roofs, roof decks and party-wall flashing, stone and brick foundations and basement water, older wiring and plumbing, the quality of rehabs, and workmanship, flashing and drainage in new construction. ValueGuard’s ASHI-certified home inspectors serve East Kensington every week, with photo-rich reports delivered the next business day.

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

River Wards rowhomes, honest findings.

Most East Kensington homes are 1800s–1920s brick rowhomes, rehabs and new-construction townhomes. Here’s what a thorough home inspection in East Kensington focuses on:

i
Party Walls & Shared Roofs
Rowhomes and twins share walls and rooflines with their neighbors. We look closely at party-wall flashing, how the roof ties into the homes next door, attic fire separation and signs of water moving between units.
ii
Flat Roofs & Roof Decks
Most Philadelphia rowhomes have low-slope roofs covered in rubber, modified bitumen or silver coating. We check for ponding, worn seams, failed flashing and leaks around roof-deck supports and hatches.
iii
Stone & Brick Foundations
Older rowhomes often sit on rubble-stone or brick foundations. Efflorescence, crumbling mortar, damp walls and patched cracks are common, and we document what is routine versus what needs attention.
iv
Wiring, Plumbing & Heat
Knob-and-tube or ungrounded wiring, undersized service, galvanized supply lines, cast-iron drains and aging boilers are common in homes of this age.
v
Renovations & Rear Additions
Flips and rear additions are everywhere in Philadelphia. We look for workmanship and structural problems in rehabbed kitchens, finished basements and added floors.
vi
Sewer Laterals
In Philadelphia the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, including the part under the street. A camera scope documents roots, cracks and offsets before you close.

← Swipe to see all six →

Rehabs and new builds need scrutiny too

Much of East Kensington’s inventory is renovated or brand new. Fresh finishes can hide rushed mechanical work, missing flashing and roof-deck leaks. Our inspectors look past the staging, and on older homes we focus on foundations, wiring and century-old sewer lines.

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From our recent caseload

Recently inspected in East Kensington.

A few of the East Kensington homes our team has inspected recently. Swipe or use the arrows to see all two.


Brick rowhome on East Hagert Street in East Kensington Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 01
Recently inspected · East Kensington
Rowhome on East Hagert Street
A turn-of-the-century brick rowhome, where roofs, foundations and original systems are the main concerns.

Inspection priorities

iFlat roof and party walls
iiStone foundation
iiiOlder wiring
ivSewer lateral

Brick rowhome on Sepviva Street in East Kensington Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 02
Recently inspected · East Kensington
Rowhome on Sepviva Street
An 1870s brick rowhome, among the older homes in the neighborhood, where structure and drain lines deserve a close look.

Inspection priorities

iFraming and floor structure
iiBasement water
iiiCast-iron and clay drains
ivRenovation quality

Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in East Kensington.

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ii. The services that matter most

What to inspect in East Kensington.

Service i.
Home Inspection
A comprehensive evaluation of structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems — calibrated to East Kensington’s 1800s–1920s brick rowhomes, rehabs and new-construction townhomes — delivered as a photo-rich report the next business day. Condos from $329.
Service ii.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Strongly recommended for most East Kensington homes. In Philadelphia, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, including the section under the street. Our camera travels the full line and documents what it finds.
Service iii.
Radon Testing
Philadelphia County is EPA Zone 3 on the county map, but radon varies house to house and older basements regularly test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. 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 basements, party-wall leaks 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 East Kensington home inspectors.

When you book ValueGuard in East Kensington, you get ASHI-certified home inspectors with deep expertise in Philadelphia’s housing stock — from 1800s rowhomes and rehabs to new construction. Swipe or use the arrows to meet all 10 inspectors serving East Kensington and Philadelphia.


SH

Steven Haslam
Master Inspector — 7,000+ Inspections

An ASHI member inspector since 2007 with 7,000+ inspections across Greater Philadelphia. Highly experienced with Philadelphia’s full range of housing — from century-old rowhomes and twins to condos and new construction.

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 East Kensington’s rowhomes and rehabs.

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 Philadelphia buyers.

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 Philadelphia construction.

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.

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.

JR

James Royer
ASHI Certified — President, Keystone ASHI

James brings deep local expertise to East Kensington and nearby Fishtown and Kensington, where rowhomes, rehabs, and new builds each demand a careful, experienced eye. Recently elected President of Keystone ASHI, he is among the region’s most credentialed and respected inspectors.

NO

Nick Ostrowski
ASHI Certified — Greater Philadelphia Local

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

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 Philadelphia inspections.

CS

Cory Shalaway
Director of Technical Services — Master Inspector

As ValueGuard’s Director of Technical Services, Cory brings unmatched local knowledge to East Kensington inspections, from 1800s rowhomes and rehabs to new construction. Known for arriving early, communicating clearly, and delivering exceptionally thorough, photo-rich reports.

Schedule now
Meet our full team →

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iv. Services & pricing

East Kensington 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 Recommended for every home
Termite / WDI Add-on Licensed & certified; required by most lenders
Sewer Scope Add-on Recommended for most Philadelphia homes
Mold Inspection Add-on Air sampling; key for older 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 East Kensington 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

East Kensington home inspection FAQs.

How much does a home inspection cost in East Kensington, 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 East Kensington, PA?
+
We recommend it. Philadelphia County is EPA Radon Zone 3 on the county-level map, but radon varies dramatically from house to house, and older Philadelphia homes with stone foundations and basements can still test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone. Our DEP-certified technicians use tamper-resistant electronic monitors and deliver results within 48 hours.
What are the most common issues in East Kensington homes?
+
Common findings include flat-roof and flashing wear, party-wall leaks, damp stone or brick basements, older wiring and undersized electrical service, aging boilers and water heaters, galvanized or cast-iron plumbing, uneven renovation quality, and root intrusion or breaks in older sewer laterals. Our home inspectors explain what is routine for a home of its age versus what is worth negotiating.
Should I inspect a new-construction home in East Kensington?
+
Yes. New construction can still have missing flashing, roof-deck leaks, incomplete work and drainage problems. An inspection before closing gives you a punch list for the builder, and a warranty inspection before the first year ends is worth considering.
What should I look for in an East Kensington rehab?
+
We look at roof and roof-deck work, flashing, framing changes, electrical and plumbing installations, HVAC sizing and venting, and whether basement water problems were actually solved. Quality varies widely across rehabs.
Do I need a sewer scope in East Kensington?
+
For most East Kensington homes, yes. In Philadelphia the homeowner owns the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, and older clay and cast-iron lines are prone to roots, cracks and offsets. Repairs under the street can cost $10,000 or more, while a camera scope costs a few hundred dollars and documents the full line before you close.
Can I attend the home inspection?
+
Absolutely — and we encourage it. Our home inspectors walk you through every finding in real time and answer your questions on the spot. Most East Kensington inspections run 2 to 3 hours depending on the size and age of the home.
How quickly can I schedule a home inspection in East Kensington?
+
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 Philadelphia

Also inspecting nearby neighborhoods.

Wherever you’re buying in the River Wards or anywhere in Philadelphia, ValueGuard is your local home inspector.

FishtownKensingtonEast KensingtonOlde KensingtonNorthern LibertiesPort RichmondBridesburgHarrowgateJuniata ParkFrankfordAll Philadelphia Neighborhoods →

Ready when you are

Let’s take a closer look at your East Kensington home.

Book online in under 3 minutes — or call (215) 860-3150. Seven days a week. Report in your inbox tomorrow. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Schedule my inspection Get instant quote

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ValueGuard Home Inspections — East Kensington
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 East Kensington  ·  Serving East Kensington (19125) and all of Philadelphia, PA