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Gotcha, your comment makes more sense now.
Inspectors are sort of like police officers; the vast majority are very good and honest with a few questionable individuals intermixed.
Large developers tend to be given leeway a small independent contractor would never receive. An inspector won't overlook significant issues, but minor mistakes made by the sketchy inexperienced "trades people" are fair game. Cities want areas developed for the massive increases in annual tax revenue, and developers want projects to proceed without delay at the lowest possible cost.
I've seen a very experienced and very good contractor in Southlands have the entire profit from a project negated, because he had the attic insulated before the pot lights were inspected to ensure no fire hazards exist and the insulation needed to be removed and re-installed. At a site in Richmond, a very sketchy contractor installed used insulation that had been removed due to a rat infestation, which the inspector caught but the average homeowner might not have.
Each city has a number of inspectors, I've met the majority of them at some point by virtue of the fact that my role as a sub-contractor means I work on a lot of projects. I can only think of a couple that might not be trustworthy.
Unfortunately, this is a case where one bad apple spoils the bunch. I still firmly believe the permit process protects homeowners.
Firm Built looks like a good contractor.
Definitely do not go with anyone HD recommends.
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