[setishock]

There really should be a central clearing house for coders and designers.
The international society of website coders and designers or the international association of website coders and designers.
To be a member you'd have to know your snizzle about either one (or both) and have high work ethics. I'd require some documentation of what languages you're certified in. Plus your portfolio would have to contain jobs you have done that could be contacted for a review.
It would get a little complicated at first but in the long run if you have some strict policies in place to be a member, that would weed out the fly by nights and ripoff artists. Add to that an application fee and a yearly renewal fee ( subject to a review again) and you have sifted the wheat from the chaff.
In the end the seal you'd get to display on your website would show prospective clients, you know your snizzle, you have it all in one sock, and a strong personal and professional work ethic.

Something to consider. Then complaint threads and crys in the night would vanish...