Genuine question on "building codes"
I've seen building codes referenced on this site and others alot and while it used to be more of an American thing I hear it alot here lately too. I understand there are codes but my question is from a common sense point of view what difference do the make to people here? I have never taken codes into account so am curious as to other people's attitudes?
Obviously there are those here that have panic attacks at the thought of doing anything outside the rules, and there's others that will win Darwin awards.
But my question is more along the lines of if no one ever inspects anything does it matter if you say put a socket in the wrong place or put a light fitting on a socket line etc etc.
Is it that people are worried about selling prices afterwards or is it safely?