As a licensed professional engineer and owner of Axial Force Engineering & Inspection serving the Philadelphia metro area, I’ve conducted hundreds of home inspections. Buyers often ask about home inspection cost—how companies charge, what’s included in a standard inspection, and the real value of add-on services like radon testing, sewer scoping, and WDO inspections. This guide breaks it down clearly so you can make an informed decision and protect your investment in one of t

Buying a home in the Philadelphia metro area is exciting—whether you’re eyeing a classic row home in Fishtown, a suburban Colonial in the Main Line, or a newer build in the western suburbs. But with Philly’s historic housing stock, frequent freeze-thaw cycles, humid summers, and aging infrastructure, a thorough inspection is non-negotiable. At Axial Force Engineering & Inspection, our licensed professional engineers don’t just check boxes; we deliver engineering-level analysi

By Joe Yeager, Licensed Professional Engineer & Owner of Axial Force Engineering & Inspection Structural cracking on a row home. First time home buyer beware. Philadelphia’s housing market in 2026 is pushing first-time buyers into more affordable neighborhoods — often filled with classic rowhomes. Median prices hover around $280,000 citywide, with some softening and higher price-reduction rates, but rising costs still force many buyers out of hotter areas and into older stock

Imagine stepping into your dream home, only to discover that beneath the charming vintage facade lies a trove of materials that could pose serious health and safety risks. As an engineering & inspection company, we've seen it all—from pipes that burst without warning to wiring that sparks fires. In this post, we'll dive into the bizarre history of some outdated or banned building materials, exploring their quirky origins and the very real modern threats they present. Whether

When buying a home in Philadelphia, especially in vibrant neighborhoods like Fishtown or South Philly, a home inspection is your first line of defense against costly surprises. One of the most critical areas inspectors scrutinize is the foundation, where cracks and settlement issues can signal serious structural concerns. Philadelphia’s unique soil composition and climate play a big role in these problems. Let’s dive into why foundation issues are common in Philly, how to spo

When purchasing a home in the Philadelphia area, a thorough home inspection is a critical step in the real estate transaction process. While many qualified home inspectors provide valuable services, hiring a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) for your residential home inspection can offer unique advantages due to their specialized training and expertise. This blog post explores the benefits of choosing a PE from Axial Force Engineering for your home inspection, outlines the

Star bolts are also known as structural ties. They are used for stabilizing masonry while adding aesthetic charm. If you’ve ever strolled through the charming streets of Philadelphia, you might have noticed large, star-shaped metal plates adorning the brick facades of rowhomes and historic buildings. Most people assume they are just for aesthetic appeal. These are “star bolts”, also known as structural ties or anchor plates, and they’re far more than just decorative accents.

Buying a home can be one of the most significant investments in a person's life. When you've found a property that interests you, understanding the nuances of the inspection process becomes critical to safeguarding your investment. Often, two primary types of inspections are mentioned: a standard home inspection and an engineering inspection. While both aim to assess a property's condition, they serve different purposes and involve varying levels of expertise. Residential Hom