Quick home electric question

I have no idea how your inspectors are there, but here, if they came and saw what appears to be a mess that you have, they would have you disconnected in short order, and would stay that way until it was brought up to code. Sometimes, trying to save some $$$'s can be very expensive.

Just now read your last post. I would have your contractor buddy look at what you have. Even if he is not an electrician, he should be capable of telling if you have something safe or not.