Hi I if you get a recommended inspector by someone you know who has used that inspector and for your peace of mind then I would go with him. I would make sure you tell him to get in the roof space and not just pop his head in attic hatch. I know 2 real estate agents who also say they are a waste of money as anyone can become an inspector here with minimum experience in the building industry. One thing I would specifically ask him to check for is suspected asbestos as they put it in products like vinyl floor tiles, eves, roofs, fences, wet areas and I've seen it as the garage ceiling in one property. In commercial properties its law that landlords or building owners have an asbestos register but this does not apply to domestic dwellings. Inspectors also only do a visual inspection for termites so they are extremely basic, if your buying a property that is expensive or your putting a lot of your money into an old property like the one you spoke of, I would also get a termite inspection using the thermal camera with a reputable company like murray pest control or complete pest control. We've used complete pest control and they are thorough and can take about 2 hours to do a 4 bed house with a good report and recommendations.