Is there a Law to stop people claiming to be qualified tradesmen when they are not?

T

TheBlock

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Hi all not sure if this is the correct place for this. Is there a Law to stop people claiming to be qualified tradesmen when they are not.

For example J Bloggs and Son's Electricians or Carpenters etc...

I have just spoken to a guy who advertises under a trade (as above) and has never had any qualifications in this trade. He is under the impression he is doing nothing wrong as "sure I'm as good as any qualified person"

Just curious as this is what I would call cowboyism (new word) and I don't like to see people get ripped off. Fair enough if you hire a guy who says I'm not qualified but can do the job thats your decision,but surley it's illegal to claim to be something your not in a professional setting.

Dr TheBlock
 
Re: False advertising

The country is full of accountants with no qualifications, many of whom run their own practices. I don't think they do much harm.
 
Re: False advertising

It is absolutly true! Know of one guy in Clarinbrige who runs his own "aacountancy" practice and only has the leaving cert!!!

There is no law to protect the word "accountant" - anybody can call themselves one which is pretty unfair to the people that go to the bother and expense of sitting final accounting exams.

In relation to the blocks query I would imagine it is the same situation. Do tradespeople have to be registered with a central body like accountants register and take the exams of eg ACCA of CPA?
 
Re: False advertising

Plenty of 'tradesmen' around who dont have full City and Guilds (or whatever is relevant) qualifications.

You wont get hired by a reputable firm in a qualified position if you dont have the correct qualifications, but there is nothing to stop you starting your own business and calling yourself whatever trade is relevant.
 
Re: False advertising

I know a guy who started fitting curtain poles and curtains. He now calls himself a roofer and advertises himself as a qualified tradesman who cuts roofs to size on site!

I wonder if he's still cutting roofs or if he has gone back to fitting curtains and curtain poles now that the economy has turned?
 
Re: False advertising

PaddyBloggit said:
I know a guy who started fitting curtain poles and curtains. He now calls himself a roofer and advertises himself as a qualified tradesman who cuts roofs to size on site!
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So? Many people retrain and redevelop their skills in the course of the careers.
 
Re: False advertising

Jack2008 said:
There is no law to protect the word "accountant" - anybody can call themselves one which is pretty unfair to the people that go to the bother and expense of sitting final accounting exams.
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I disagree, even though I myself qualified as a chartered accountant. I have 2 reasons for this:

1. Experience is much more important than qualifications.
2. Competition is great. Accountancy would be the ultimate closed shop if bodies like the ICAI were allowed control over the number of accountants in the country.
 
Re: False advertising

Whilst I agree that 'professional bodies' rarely aid competition (and hence the consumer), I do believe that anyone seeking to call themselves an "accountant" should have some state recognised qualification. "Architect" is shockingly unprotected too.

In many european countries you must have relevant minimum qualifications to be allowed use a professional name. These don't have to be controlled by a "professional body" however. So long as you attend a recognised Uni course and pass, you can be an accountant/engineer/etc.
 
Re: False advertising

TTBOMK only the terms "medical doctor", "dentist / dental surgeon", "solicitor", "veterinarian", "barrister" are protected by legislation governing the use of any of those terms as an occupation or profession by an unqulaified person.

Other than that there is nothing in law to stop anyone hanging out a shingle with whatever soubriquet they choose to adopt e.g. "therapist", "counsellor", "roofer", "builder", "mechanic", etc. The only time an offence is committed is if someone appends letters implying membership of a professional qualifying body recognised by the State.
 
Re: False advertising

I give my daughter calpol when she has fever,should i call myself a doctor.hum......the mind boggles
 
Re: False advertising

these guys provide a service...............it is up to you to decide whether to accept their services or not.................depending on price , quality , etc
 
Re: False advertising

allthedoyles said:
these guys provide a service...............it is up to you to decide whether to accept their services or not.................depending on price , quality , etc
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I agree but part of deciding is based on their claims of professional qualifications.

It all come down to caveat emptor .... buyer beware.

Best way to check up on a tradesman's work is to go and see some of their work and talk to previous customers. If they can stand over their work then they should have no problem providing names etc. of satisfied customers. If you spot anything dodgy, false claims of expertise, just use those boots (as Nancy Sinatra would say) for walking .... and try someone else!
 
Re: False advertising

murphaph said:
"Architect" is shockingly unprotected too.
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The process of protecting the term 'architect' is well underway. The relevant legislation has been passed, and just needs to be kicked off by the Minister.
 
Re: False advertising

The title Chartered Engineer is legally protected in Ireland. I assume if someone misappropriated a titlte like Chartered Accountant (not directly protected by statute AFAIK) the relevant professional body would sue them. As Ubi says experience is far more important than qualifications, which is why both of these titles require supervised professional experience to attain.

I wouldn't like to see the rediculous system some US states have where generic terms like "engineer" are protected (and licensed.).
 
Re: False advertising

ubiquitous said:
The country is full of accountants with no qualifications, many of whom run their own practices. I don't think they do much harm.
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Big statement that - I don't actually know how many are not qualified to either agree or disagree with your assertion that 'the country is full of' them - what I do know is that the few I have encountered have by and large done their clients untold damage in terms of bad advice, whether in terms of tax advice, investment advice or succession planning advice.

Personally I believe if someone is selling themself as an 'accountant' they should have a qualification to back same up.

Regards,

BM
 
Re: Is there a Law to stop people claiming to be qualified tradesmen when they are no

The thread title re-focuses the issue.

Anybody can call himself or herself a plumber or accountant or electrician or engineer (but not a solicitor or medical doctor, among a short list of truly reserved professions).

Claiming to be "qualified" opens up a can of worms. In the case of the statutory trades, I think the courts might take the view that a person would need to have the appropriate trade papers. I suspect the courts might have a difficulty in deciding what constitutes qualification in accountancy or engineering.
 
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