Spring Garden · Philadelphia, PA · ZIP 19130 / 19123

Spring Garden Home Inspections.

Grand Victorian brownstones on Green and Mount Vernon Streets, brick rowhomes split into condos, and newer townhomes near Broad Street — Spring Garden blends historic architecture with walkable access to Center City and Fairmount.

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

Spring Garden sits just north of Center City, roughly between Broad Street and the Art Museum area, along Spring Garden, Green, Mount Vernon and Wallace Streets. Much of it is a historic district of large 19th-century brownstones and brick rowhomes, many divided into condos or apartments, with newer townhomes and condo buildings filling in toward Broad Street. That shapes the inspection: brownstone facades, cornices and stoops; stone and brick foundations and basement moisture; flat roofs and roof decks; older wiring and plumbing; and the quality of condo conversions, including fire separation and how systems were split between units. ValueGuard’s ASHI-certified home inspectors serve Spring Garden from our Center City office, 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

Brownstones & lofts, honest findings.

Most Spring Garden homes are Victorian brownstones and brick rowhomes, condo conversions and newer townhomes. Here’s what a thorough home inspection in Spring Garden 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 →

Conversions deserve a careful look

Many Spring Garden brownstones have been divided into condos. Our inspectors evaluate the unit you are buying, note how heating, plumbing and electrical were split between units, look for fire-separation and egress concerns, and point out shared items to ask the association about.

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From our recent caseload

Recently inspected in Spring Garden.

A few of the Spring Garden homes and condos our team has inspected recently. Swipe or use the arrows to see all two.


Brick townhome on North 20th Street in Spring Garden Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 01
Recently inspected · Spring Garden
Townhome on North 20th Street
A later-20th-century brick townhome, where original systems are now reaching the end of their service lives.

Inspection priorities

iRoof and flashing
iiHVAC and water heater age
iiiWindows and doors
ivBasement or slab moisture

Brick rowhome condo on Mount Vernon Street in Spring Garden Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 02
Recently inspected · Spring Garden
Rowhome Condo on Mount Vernon Street
A 19th-century rowhome divided into condos, where conversion quality and unit systems both matter.

Inspection priorities

iUnit HVAC and plumbing
iiFire separation between units
iiiElectrical panel and wiring
ivWindows and water intrusion

Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in Spring Garden.

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ii. The services that matter most

What to inspect in Spring Garden.

Service i.
Home Inspection
A comprehensive evaluation of structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems — calibrated to Spring Garden’s Victorian brownstones and brick rowhomes, condo conversions and newer townhomes — delivered as a photo-rich report the next business day. Condos from $329.
Service ii.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Strongly recommended for most Spring Garden 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 Spring Garden home inspectors.

When you book ValueGuard in Spring Garden, you get ASHI-certified home inspectors with deep expertise in Philadelphia’s housing stock — from Victorian brownstones and rowhome condos to newer townhomes. Swipe or use the arrows to meet all 10 inspectors serving Spring Garden 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 Spring Garden’s brownstones and condo conversions.

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 Spring Garden and nearby Fairmount, Francisville and Logan Square, where brownstones, rowhomes, and condos 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 Spring Garden 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 Spring Garden inspections, from Victorian brownstones and rowhome condos to newer townhomes. 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

Spring Garden 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 Spring Garden 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

Spring Garden home inspection FAQs.

How much does a home inspection cost in Spring Garden, 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 Spring Garden, PA?
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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 Spring Garden homes?
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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.
What should I look for in a Spring Garden condo conversion?
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We evaluate the systems inside your unit and look at how the building was converted: separate heating and electrical service, fire separation between units, egress, and plumbing that may run through other units. We also note visible conditions in shared areas like the roof access, basement and stairs.
Do you inspect historic brownstones in Spring Garden?
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Yes. Brownstones need attention to facade stone, cornices, stoops and front steps, foundations, roofs, and decades-old wiring and plumbing. We document what is typical for a home of its age versus what is worth negotiating.
Do I need a sewer scope in Spring Garden?
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For most Spring Garden 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?
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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 Spring Garden inspections run 2 to 3 hours depending on the size and age of the home.
How quickly can I schedule a home inspection in Spring Garden?
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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 Center City & Fairmount or anywhere in Philadelphia, ValueGuard is your local home inspector.

Center CityRittenhouse SquareLogan SquareFitler SquareWashington Square WestSociety HillOld CityCallowhillNorthern LibertiesSpring GardenFairmountFrancisvilleBrewerytownGraduate HospitalAll Philadelphia Neighborhoods →

Ready when you are

Let’s take a closer look at your Spring Garden 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

Meet our full team →

ValueGuard Home Inspections — Spring Garden
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 Spring Garden  ·  Serving Spring Garden (19130, 19123) and all of Philadelphia, PA