While I share your amazement that anyone couls bollux things up so thoroughly, I think your experience really illustrates two 'administrative' issues far better than the technical ones.
"Just finish up." Or any variation of the request. Presented in such an easy, reassuring, innocent manner. Balderdash. The guy knew sonething was seriously FUBAR, and has already tried to sort things out himself. Or, there was a conflict, and someone decided to make a few surprises on purpose. This is both your time to shine - and to make sure you're not being cheated. Remember- you're the guy who will be getting the call-backs for the next year, and every new fault found will be seen as proof of your incompetence ("You should have found it before").
The second relates to inspections. As far as I'm concerned, an inspection is nothing but a billing point. I'm sorry, but I've been through enough inspections to appreciate just how limited they are. In terms of things actually performing, or being safe, inspections are irrellevant. The best that can happen is for the inspector to be sent on a crusade against such an incompetent hack.
