Pilot DAR
That may be true of the US system, but in the UK the LAA inspect everything and are responsible to the CAA for maintaining standards. In the UK it is possible to do your own maintenance on a permit aircraft, but the LAA inspector has to sign it off. The inspectors are mostly experienced enthusiasts who only charge expenses. My maintenance bill (including paperwork) dropped from £4000 a year to less than £400 by building my own!
Rod1