Permits is your protection against shady contractors, the city inspectors will be your first line of defense to sub par quality.

I would recommend you be present with the inspector to get a feel for the places and determine how much you personally wish to be involved with them.

Fairly new to the industry as an investor looking using the wholesale strategy, as well as working towards obtaining a home inspectors license.

If you're new, I would highly recommend having an experienced inspector/appraiser or general contractor evaluate the property for and with you at first. 

Hopefully they do not rep both,  it is or at least can be a conflict of interest.Building inspector looks at the physical structure.

A private property inspector has three goals: 1.

I'm a lead paint inspector in MA and we're always wary of those home test kits. 

@Justin R,  thank you for your information,  I did ask the inspector who came out to my house, he said the high occupancy house regularly is being challenged in court , therefore it’s not enforced.  

I’m so excited to start making offers on properties but unsure how to source trustworthy contractors and inspectors to look at them before purchasing.

Inspector and contractor go through it.