Regarding the "metal industry," it should be said: As if there is no cutting corners... I am myself a metalworker with body and soul, both as a hobby and professionally. And God knows how much cutting corners happens there... Whether it’s the ball bearing ball that makes the oversized fit proper at the top (where measurements are usually taken...) or the thicker grease that fills the too-large cavity, etc., etc. I could lecture for HOURS about it!
It’s the SAME everywhere: You get what you pay for. And on top of that, there’s luck and misfortune :D Meaning: It can go either way ;)
Construction, mechanical engineering, vehicle technology, it doesn’t matter. There are no 100% guarantees in life, and if you want to be sure that your own standards are met, you have to make sure yourself that it happens. Whether that is enforced with more money or more control or more money for control is up to each person and must be decided case by case. It will hardly ever work just by good reasoning. More likely luck and common sense ;)
From my (very limited) construction experience and current assessment, I also fear that I have higher demands than are often represented in the construction trade. But that’s why we also look for a good architect and an independent expert. And to both I will extensively explain what my expectations are. They will then tell me what is justified and what is not. And ensuring that the justified remainder is met is then their job. But I will have to pay for that too, because I can’t do it myself... such is life