This is the only way this can work. If you want to build and occupy your own construction, that's great. May you only cut the corners that won't result in your own painful death. If you want to pay others to labor under your direction, you have to get that inspected.

I say this as someone who does a great deal of unprofessional carpentry, electrical work, mechanical repair, excavation, plumbing, etc. for myself and for family members. I would never have gone willingly into that hole. I certainly would never have asked anyone else to do so. No unexploited worker would have done this work.