Even if you think your new home is perfect, think twice before skimping out on a home inspection contractor. What may look safe on the surface could be masking future home hazards.

Take it from Randy West, a former contractor and current home inspector in Prescott, Arizona, who shared some of his experiences as a home inspector in a May 31 column for the Prescott Daily Courier.

First, he detailed his schooling, which was filled with many sleepless nights.

"Every night I would return to my motel room and think about all the mistakes I made as a builder. Of course, I did not realize they were mistakes at the time," West acknowledges.

In his piece, West recalled numerous small 'faux-pas' that even an experienced and respected contractor such as himself can make. One instance he recalled occurred after installing a sunroof in his sister's bathroom. It was only later that he'd realize that he had installed insulation around the sunroof incorrectly, an error that would eventually lead to leaking.

West says he's personally seen a lack of mold testing in old and new homes, and cites blocked ventilation in key places as another common home issue. The biggest problem he faces from new homeowners are those who are apprehensive about the home inspection cost, not realizing that the little they pay now will save them a lot of money in the future on both home and health costs.

This issue has been raised in places nationwide, including in Boston, where real estate professionals are recommending new buyers conduct a home inspection to save some money.

Professional home inspections may not always seem necessary to new homebuyers, but to ensure that your new purchase isn't going to crumble in a few years time or worse cause you medical harm, look past the home inspection costs and have your house evaluated.