A private inspector physically walks the roof, attic, crawl space and mechanical systems and reports on condition, while a City of Saskatoon permit search tells you whether work was done legally. Neither one substitutes for the other, since a permitted renovation can still have poor workmanship and an unpermitted one can still be functionally sound.
For a purchase, use both: a private inspection for condition, and a permit history check for legal status, particularly on any secondary suite, finished basement or structural change.
Joel Dyck pulls permit history and recommends trusted inspectors as standard steps on every Saskatoon transaction. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.