Since I've done a few ceiling fan wiring jobs, and am about 800 feet of electrical wiring in my basement finishing project, I can say that to me, it sounds like someone is "hodge podging" the wiring. I've seen it where someone used two 14-2 or 12-2 (2 wires plus 1 ground) wiring "sets" instead of a single 14-3 or 12-3 (3 wires plus 1 ground) wiring sets to run a ceiling fan/light combo where they have separate switches.
That is why I've used SO much electrical wiring and I have about another 200 feet or so to go in the basement (home theater is all that is left) because I want it done right and the cost of using the correct wiring vs. even having to figure out 5 years from now what I wired today to "cut costs" will be worth it. To some people, the cost of the 12-3 or 14-3 wire over 12-2 or 14-2 is too much and they make up electrical wiring as they go.
