Is there money in pat testing?

[james b]

I was talking to one of the tutors at my college a few weeks ago and i ask about pat test, he said its rubbish pay and you have a less chance of getting a job in it than at becoming an electrican.
You know if there is any point in getting a pat qualification?

 

[confused-fuse]

i did pat testing years ago for letting agents and small firms that hire equipment out.. write to them offer them your services
pat testing / electrical services / electrical repairs.. see what comes back if not small advert in local paper might get you some work .. depends how much you charge per item ect!!

 

[james b]

i did pat testing years ago for letting agents and small firms that hire equipment out.. write to them offer them your services
pat testing / electrical services / electrical repairs.. see what comes back if not small advert in local paper might get you some work .. depends how much you charge per item ect!!

Thats my question what price range should you be looking for?
Cheers for reply.

 

[acat]

To many people out there charging 50 to 70p an item and just sticking a sticker and moving on to the next item I doubt anyone of them would know how to take a plug of to check terminals or fuses. That said I think its Kewtech that do an attachment to your multi tester try that first and see what sort of feedback you get.

Chris

 

[confused-fuse]

kewtech do a pat adapter for about 39.00 but you can make one for about 10.00.. but that does not really do all the tests just installition 250v test .. you really need a proper pat tester with the right test sequence

 

[confused-fuse]

i was charging 1.25p per item with cert and any fuse change that needed changing ..seen soooo many table lamps with 13amp fuses and if it need new plug-top,stress grommits,cable all charged at going rate per mtr.. min order was 25 items at that price .. anything lower was charged at 3.50 + parts if any

building sites as well alot of them now need to view pat cert for tools /110v/240v tools and chargers all need pat tested before thay are used onsite... and all tools are tested every 3 months on building sites if you start doing bulding sites turn up in van goto office ( make sure you got hi-vis,hardhat,boots on )offer them your service some do have there own pat tester onsite... if you do get onsite make sure you got artic cable,stress grommits,plugtops and 110v plugs & sockets

all charged at going rate ..

 

[Johno]

I charge £2 per appliance, but do a proper job and have got proper tester. I think this is a fair price and don't think it would be worth doing for much less, but I think generally you can earn more on installs, rewires and CU changes I think is where I do best.

 

[Adam W]

It's worth offering as an additional service to existing clients, but that's about it - the market has been saturated with people who think setting up their own PAT business is the promised career change so are desperate to compete for the business by dropping their prices to unprofitable levels.

 

[mogga]

Megger Buisness in a box everything you need to set up PAT testing except the clients who want it done correctly and not ones who want it done cheap as chips ie 75p

 

[pattester]

To many people out there charging 50 to 70p an item and just sticking a sticker and moving on to the next item I doubt anyone of them would know how to take a plug of to check terminals or fuses. That said I think its Kewtech that do an attachment to your multi tester try that first and see what sort of feedback you get.

Chris

Indeed I applaud your comments about people charging 70p etc. Often the cowboys aren't the engineers but the people who employ them. In some cases the engineers cannot make a days pay without running around the office sticking like mad.There is a growing army of decent people and testing companies who abhor this practice. Read my blog and please make comments on PAT testing info

 

[DurhamSparky]

well chaps i must admit i am in middle of a pat job at a hotel 650 item plus repairs, im charging 95p for the items

However...!

all table lamps and floor lamps are class 2 wired into 5A sockets..! beauty!!
DVD player class 2
DAB radio class 2

all have moulded / manufacturers plugs and the fuse rating can be clearly seen in the little window!

my job is simple..! i do check the 5a lights for correct terminations

only class 1 items are a kettle and iron!! wicked!!

 

[aaronstuart]

I charge between £2 and £3 depending on how many items. I normally test around 60 - 80 in a day. It can take lots of time waiting for people to log off their computers, then crawling underneath to plug the correct item etc.....Then takes me bloody ages printing the certs off and sending them.

At the end of the day i do a proper job, and I can sleep at night knowing it.

 

[wawnetiger]

most PAT testing 'specialists' don't pay the semi skilled employees very well and offer the service very cheap, hard for a qualified sparks to earn their usual wage. Would only be useful as an extra service on existing contracts, quite often get requests during on going contracts for PAT

 

[ringer]

Do any of you guys actually issue a certificate saying "Pat testing done at Acme Limited by AN Electrician on 1st January 2010"? I recently came across something along those lines from the last time a customer had testing done. Personally I thought it was a waste of time and effort - surely the test results sheets show what testing was done and when - no need to add window dressing.

I supply three items to my customers:

1. Equipment register (unless it already exists and is complete and up to date)
2. Inspection and Test results
3. Covering letter detailing remedial work done/required and advice on improvements that need to be made.

No need for a fancy 'certificate'

oh, and...

4. Invoice

 

[wattsup]

there are many companies whom insist on correct pat, they will bypass you unless you make yourself known,i 've had blue chip companies contact me, and lost jobs on price only, Low volume is where the money is at....high volume = wages only, ok but not lucrative

In answer pat is very very lucrative for low volume, which a lot of people want

 

[mogga]

firm Im subbying to pays PAt testers 17k basic based on 200 items a day do more n they get an extra per item

fixed wire testers ( 2391 not approved electricians) get 22k for 25 circuits per day and an extra £3 per circuit over and above this no OT payment just extra circuit money sat/sunday a blanket £4 per circuit I can see a lot of testing done with the pc rather than a megger the Guys are well cheesed off but have been told testers are 10 a penny IMO JIB/NIC/Select ect should be stepping in but as the firms pay NIC?JIBect what hope is there

 

[nickblake]

I charge £1.75 per item plus a set charge of £45.00 , you could end up driving 30 miles and test 2 items so you got to cover your costs , you can make a living out of it if you get your charges right , if you work on doing 100 items a day thats £175.00 plus £45.00 £220.00 so not massive abouts but very little outlay , having said that after doing a large office block 5000 items , i was brain dead , lol

 

[ringer]

... very little outlay ...

Don't know about that - these testers are not cheap. And the paperwork takes time too.

 

[nickblake]

should have added after initial outlay , easy PAt software £65.00 / Mini laptop £150 do it as you go plug into a printer and certs are done you can get Pat testers S/H for £150 calibration £65.00 PLI insurance £150 so say £650 , your off and running

 

[Graeme Harrold]

There is money in it, just got to find youre niche. I have been doing static caravans at £9.25 each with up to 6 items (kettle, toaster, fridge, microwave, TV, set-top-box) simples. Not all vans were fully fitted, so knocking out 18-22 per day for descent money!!!

Also the thing to watch out for is rectification work, broken sockets etc.....

 

[nickblake]

Well i did do a post a while ago and i mention Aberystwyth university campus were chaarging the students £25.00 per item , one guy had 40 items !!!!!!! whats that £1000 for what 4 hours work sorted

 

[lewlec]

hi all

the wife and i are going testing tomorrow, got about 150 items to do and im charging £3.50 per appliance. plus extra for repair work. hope to be home by lunch time....

regards
gary