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Isn't it a shame it takes a big catastrophe like this to find out where they cut corners in construction, who
tipped the inspectors etc. It seems natural to find out this stuff later on, that's why it is best for people to
do honest work."
I agree that there is shoddy construction at times, possibly even dishonest inspectors, but in my 25 years in construction, I have found more problems in ability to execute than in dishonesty.
Right off the bat are methods and practices. Like we saw in Andrew, 8d nails hold roof decking better than staples. I believe most guys in the field would have believed the two nearly equal. We don't know it all yet, there is a continual learning process.
People want fancy buildings, not understanding that "round" isn't as easy to build as "square", and that the per foot costs go up considerably, not just a little, when you step away from standard practices. In short, it's more an ability question, than one of ethics. Not selling ability short, a lot of times it's easier to draw it pretty than it is to stand it up pretty and safe.