Beware The VAT Avoidance Cowboys !

Dire warnings have been issued by organisations like the Federation of Master Builders, predicting that the coalition Government's budget raise of VAT to 20 per cent will mean an increase in cowboy tradesman willing to work for 'cash in hand'.No doubt many houseowners or small businesses cutting back on expenditure will be tempted, despite knowing full well the terrible dangers involved when it comes to getting plumbing or electrical work 'done on the cheap' by unqualified tradesmen with little to no qualified knowledge or training, just to avoid the extra few pounds that paying VAT would entail.They seem to be prepared to take the risk, which all too often leads to horror stories reported in the press when a terrible injury or loss of life occurs because of illegal renovation work being carried out by cowboy gas fitters, electricians or plumbers.When it come to electrical installation or repairs, all work must be carried out by a fully qualified electrician - NICEIC Part P registered. They must have been properly trained at a fully approved and NICEIC >accredited training school like Able Skills, in order to obtain all the statutory City & Guilds NVQ electrical qualifications - to at least Level 3.In order to fully qualify at level 3 and demonstrate full competency to properly and safely carry out electrical installation, repairs and maintenance, a student electrician must first undertake the entry level City & Guilds NVQ 2330 level 2 qualification and be assessed and verified in order to progress onto the next necessary stage. In addition - and equally as important - is the number of years of working experience a practising electrician gains after qualifying, beginning with an apprenticeship.The construction trades industry will no doubt be on full alert to evidence of basic DIY handymen or other tradesmen who think they can do electrical work and decide to take advantage of the VAT increase to offer cash in hand jobs. On the most simplest level of understanding, it's not just about connecting a few wires and using whatever they have to hand ( or in the back of the van!) and they 'think' will work. Load calculations, wire size, proper devices, safe and secure connections are just a few of the vital key items that a trained and qualified electrician has to consider when evaluating a job.