It depends on how well you know the expected quality of fit and finish in your home's price range. The county inspector is there to ensure its safe and it meets the code requirements. He/she will not look at the quality of paint, drywall finishing, baseboard caulking, etc., and will not compare the plans to the as-built home unless its a code item.

There are different levels of finish based on the price range of the home. If you are sure you know what you have paid for and can look at it to ensure you are getting that level, then you don't need an outside inspector. In my case, my wife is probably a better judge of acceptable finishing than I am, and may be better than any inspector I could hire. Its also possible that the builder won't fix something if its only a judgement call (what level of finish is that drywall?). YMMV.

Bruce

I am in CA, the home inspections I have experienced are based on a check list. The inspector, who is (often) a licensed general contractor who is unable to “swing a hammer” will test “everything” look at what he can see. Before you think an inspection is a shield against problems, please review the scope.

Perhaps, obtain a “home inspectors” check list, determine if you have the: time, equipment, knowledge to perform the task your self.

Maybe, if $1k is causing a problem, you may be underfunded.

Do you feel lucky?

Does your seller offer a warranty?

It is common to inspect new homes.

That clause is a bit suspect. Unless the builder has an impeccable record, make sure you retain some type of ability to cancel. Some production/tract builders are awesome, but some are sloppy and it isn't related to price.

If not tract, the same applies. In CA it could have been built without a licensed GC as "owner builders" have been very active.

We have bought 7 houses over the past 30 years and had them all inspected. The worst one was a new house. It had a laundry list of problems. We would of just backed out but we had already paid 70 thousand in upgrades. The builder grudgingly fixed the issues. The best house inspectors are retired city inspectors. They really know what they are doing and if there is a problem will find it.