[mindslight]

Mandatory inspections? Like the city insists on periodically inspecting the inside of your home?

I have no desire to deal with gas in my home, and my state exempts homeowner electrical.

I think the bigger issue is that the market doesn't really value renovation much any more - it's quite content with beige and builders' grade! And the low-effort fashions change so often you're never going to win that game on DIY timescales. So it's not so much sweat equity any more, but rather sweat comfort and convenience.