It's not uncommon although dbzeag has pointed out an extreme case. When someones actually looking for the inspection normally you can install all the wire yourself and hire an electrician to put in the panel and certify the whole thing. Or if you're buddies with the right guy you can do 100% of the work and they'll certify it for you. If it's something nobody will ever know about you can do it all yourself too.
Luckily I know a few electricians for when I did my own work...