Home construction is inspected step by step. You pour footings, it's inspected, foundation, inspected. Walls can't be closed up until the work to be buried is inspected. Besides the specifications of the drawings are approved by the building dept within the jurisdiction the homes are being built in and the architect and engineers affix their stamp to the drawings thus accepting liability for any failures. To say the least, a large portion of the cost of a home is the oversight by the contractors and building dept to ensure that it is built to code.
Rock climbers aren't regulated to the same extent because it is a recreational sport. However, here is what is going on with respect to safety,
UIAA - Safety
Where a facility can be held liable then there are definitely rules. Go to any climbing gym and check it out.
At the end of the day, if we act like cowboys then we will continue to be treated as such. When we act as professionals then perception will change.