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Quick Answer Home inspection add-ons are specialized tests ordered with your home inspection — radon, termite (WDI), sewer scope, mold, lead paint, MoistureGuard and Level 2 chimney. A standard inspection is visual. Add-ons measure and reach what a visual inspection can’t: invisible gases, underground pipes and hidden insect or moisture damage.
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Every week we walk buyers through homes that look perfect: fresh paint, new floors, staged furniture. Then the sewer camera finds roots in the line, or the radon monitor reads above the EPA action level. None of that shows up on a walkthrough. That’s why add-ons exist, and why we recommend the right ones for almost every home we inspect across Greater Philadelphia.
1What Are Home Inspection Add-Ons?
A standard home inspection is a visual evaluation of the roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and interior. It’s the foundation. But some of the most expensive problems in a house can’t be seen with the eye or a flashlight.
Add-ons are targeted tests that go further: a camera inside the sewer line, a 48-hour radon monitor, lab analysis of air samples, swab testing for lead. Each one answers a question the standard inspection can only flag.
2Why They Matter: The Problems You Can’t See
Buyers tell us the same worries again and again. Add-ons exist to answer them:
- “What if I miss something big?” The costliest defects hide underground, behind walls or in the air.
- “I only have a few days.” Your inspection contingency is short. Hiring four separate companies rarely fits.
- “Is my family safe?” Radon, mold and lead are health issues, not just repair items.
- “Who pays if it’s bad?” Before closing, the seller may. After closing, you do.
3The Add-Ons Worth Considering
Here’s what each one covers, the problem it solves and how we handle it. Prices are current ValueGuard rates; see inspection pricing for packages.
Radon Testing$190 · Included in Value Package The problem: Radon is an odorless, invisible gas and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It’s common across Southeastern Pennsylvania, and you can’t tell from a walkthrough. How we solve it: PA DEP-certified technicians place a tamper-resistant electronic monitor for at least 48 hours under closed-house conditions. Results come by email with a clear read against the EPA’s 4.0 pCi/L action level. |
Termite / WDI Inspection$160 · Included in Value Package The problem: Termites and other wood-destroying insects work out of sight, inside framing and sill plates. Many lenders require a WDI report before closing. How we solve it: A certified inspection on the industry-standard NPMA-33 form, documenting live activity, past damage and conditions that invite insects. Value Package clients also get our Termite-Free Guarantee. |
Insect galleries packed with frass inside a framing member at a Delaware County home. The surface looked fine until we probed it. |
Sewer Scope Inspection$329 · Included in Value Package+ The problem: The sewer line from the house to the street is usually the owner’s responsibility. Roots, cracks and collapsed sections are invisible until there’s a backup, and a lateral repair can run into the thousands. How we solve it: We run a camera through the full lateral, record the video and mark every defect in your report. Strongly recommended for Philadelphia rowhomes and older suburban homes. |
Roots inside the terracotta section of a Mt. Airy sewer line. Our report recommended jetting the line, estimated at $500–$1,000, and flagged a hairline crack to monitor. |
MoistureGuard$149 · Included in Value Package The problem: Hidden moisture behind walls and under floors is how mold, rot and failed finishes start. By the time you see a stain, the damage is usually done. How we solve it: Our inspectors use moisture meters and hygrometers to find elevated moisture early, so you know where water is getting in before it becomes a mold or repair problem. |
Mold Air Sampling$399 · 3 locations · Included in Full Protection The problem: A musty basement or suspicious staining raises the question every buyer asks: is the air safe? A visual inspection can note suspected growth but can’t identify it. How we solve it: We collect air samples at three locations and send them to a lab for spore types and concentrations, giving you real numbers instead of guesswork. |
 Suspected mold growth below a basement staircase in Fairmount. |
 Staining and efflorescence on a block wall in the same basement. |
Lead Paint TestingFrom $349 The problem: Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. Disturbing it during renovation creates dust that is especially dangerous for young children. How we solve it: Swab testing on surfaces throughout the home. For Philadelphia properties, Lead Safe certification is included. |
Level 2 Chimney InspectionRequest a quote The problem: A standard inspection looks at the chimney from the roof and the firebox. Cracked flues, failed liners and gaps that can let heat and gases into the home are hidden inside. How we solve it: A CSIA-certified inspector runs a video camera through the flue and checks the crown, liner, smoke chamber and clearances. NFPA 211 recommends a Level 2 inspection when a home changes hands. |
A cracked chimney crown on a Mt. Airy home. Water entering here can damage the flue and masonry below, which is why we recommended a Level 2 inspection. |
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Not sure which add-ons your home needs? Get a quote that lays out every option. Build Your Inspection |
4How ValueGuard Makes Add-Ons Simple
The hardest part of add-ons usually isn’t the cost. It’s coordinating them inside a short contingency. We remove that problem:
| Hiring separately | ValueGuard | |
| Scheduling | Several companies, several visits | One appointment |
| Reports | Separate formats and timelines | One photo-rich report, next business day |
| Who does the work | Varies by company | In-house team, PA DEP-certified radon technicians |
| Cost | Full price for each | Packages save up to $249 |
Every report is reviewed by a senior inspector before delivery, and your inspector is available after the inspection to talk through what we found. Since 1997, we’ve completed more than 94,000 inspections across Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.
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Quick Guide Which Add-Ons Does Your Home Need?
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Home Inspection Add-Ons FAQ
What are home inspection add-ons?
Home inspection add-ons are specialized tests and inspections ordered alongside a standard home inspection. They include radon testing, termite (WDI) inspections, sewer scope inspections, mold air sampling, lead paint testing, MoistureGuard and Level 2 chimney inspections. They look for hazards a visual inspection cannot measure or reach.
Are home inspection add-ons worth it?
For most Greater Philadelphia homes, yes. A single sewer line repair, termite treatment or radon mitigation system typically costs far more than the test that finds it. Finding the issue during your inspection contingency lets you negotiate a repair or credit before you close.
Which add-ons should I get for an older Philadelphia home?
For a rowhome or older suburban house, we most often recommend a sewer scope, radon test and termite inspection. Homes built before 1978 should add lead paint testing, and any home with a fireplace or wood stove should add a Level 2 chimney inspection.
Can add-ons be done at the same time as my home inspection?
Yes. ValueGuard schedules add-ons for the same visit as your home inspection, so you get one appointment and one report. Radon is the exception on timing: the monitor stays in the home for at least 48 hours, with results emailed when the test is complete.
How much do home inspection add-ons cost?
At ValueGuard, radon testing is $190, termite/WDI is $160, MoistureGuard is $149, sewer scope is $329, mold air sampling is $399 for three locations and lead paint testing starts at $349. Bundling them in a Value Package saves up to $249 compared with ordering each one separately.
Does a standard home inspection check for radon, mold or sewer problems?
No. A standard home inspection is a visual evaluation of the home’s accessible systems and components. Radon is invisible and must be measured over time, mold needs lab analysis to identify, and the sewer line is underground. Each requires its own test.
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See the Whole House Before You Buy It. ValueGuard has been helping families across Southeastern Pennsylvania since 1997, with more than 94,000 inspections completed and a 4.9-star Google rating. Schedule an Inspection Call 215-860-3150Compare all add-ons and packages on our inspection pricing page. |
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About the Author ASHI® Certified Home Inspector Michael is an ASHI® Certified home inspector at ValueGuard Home Inspections with more than 20 years of experience and over 7,000 residential and commercial inspections. Before his inspection career, he worked as a Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer for Bensalem Township. He inspects homes every week across Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, and helps buyers decide which add-ons their home actually needs. Meet Michael → |
