As an inspector, I would not touch anybody's work. It wouldn't be fair to them or to myself. Each contractor/homeowner should be responsible for their own work. That goes for existing violations. After all if I touch it, then I become responsible for it. I don't believe that I can fail you for work that you didn't do. I WOULD make a point of telling the homeowner that I saw a violation that was pre-existing, and I would love it if the homeowner would get it fixed right away, while the contractor is still on the job site.
