Oh_Jeeze wrote:
Here's a silly question... so why would you pay for a permit and/or
inspector to inspect work you do inside your home?

To notify the tax assessor that your property tax needs to go up. ;-)

Before someone scolds me keep this in mind, I am a first time
homeowner and I have only been living in my home for a few months.
What types of things require permits or inspectors?

I get a permit for major electrical work. I haven't done any major
structural or plumbing work yet.

I recently painted some walls, replaced a toilet, and added a light
fixture outside my garage. I have other things on my agenda for the
next few years and I can't see why I would pay someone to inspect my
work. With regards to plumbing, if you don't do it right you get
immediate notification in the form of a leak.

That's true for the supply lines. Faulty drains are much more
dangerous, and they don't necessarily show that they are done wrong.

The electrical stuff seems pretty trivial to me since I am an
electrical engineer with a masters degree. Although I must admit to
having to look up the correct wire gauge for the spotlight I added
outside my garage. A follow up question would be what if the
previous owner did something without getting a permit or getting the
work inspected? Would I be responsible for paying for those things?

You would assume that he did everything legally. (but if something is
obviously unsafe, you should consider redoing it right)

Best regards,
Bob