Lowest price per item you've heard of for PAT Testing?

[westward10]

So you had 1.4 Meg ohm, did you fail it or take it out of service. Sometimes removing any aerial/service connections can clear IR issues. Bit confused over the kettle lead, kettle leads are normally different to IEC connectors, a kettle lead or hot connector as they can be known as will fit an IEC connectors but an IEC connector should not fit a kettle as the kettle connection has a key way. If it had an IEC connection the TV may well be class I.

 

[Andy78]

My mate lost a pat test job last year. The factory that needed the work doing took on a company that were charging about a third less than my mate per item. They were a bit shocked when their extras bill came to several hundreds for a few handfuls of fuses and plug tops. My mate would have included that in his price per item. That's how they make money.

 

[westward10]

We do this but the client is always made aware of the situation, they have the option of not allowing repairs and receive a failure cert instead, mind you I will just undertake minor repairs foc.

 

[Andy78]

We do this but the client is always made aware of the situation, they have the option of not allowing repairs and receive a failure cert instead, mind you I will just undertake minor repairs foc.

In this case the customer knew nothing until the bill hit their desk. "We do all the repairs while we're testing" was quoted but no mention of extra cost was made. The customer assumed in with the price.

 

[westward10]

In this case the customer knew nothing until the bill hit their desk. "We do all the repairs while we're testing" was quoted but no mention of extra cost was made. The customer assumed in with the price.

This is obviously a selling ploy and may be misleading unless it was in their Terms and Conditions.

 

[bmwonder]

None of these companies will test items connected via a fused spur. They still say that it only covers items on a plug top, but this is not correct. Any items on a fused spur MUST be PAT tested the same as if they were on a plug top. Can you imagine taking a fused spur out testing the appliance and replacing the fused spur for 50p!!!

 

[westward10]

None of these companies will test items connected via a fused spur. They still say that it only covers items on a plug top, but this is not correct. Any items on a fused spur MUST be PAT tested the same as if they were on a plug top. Can you imagine taking a fused spur out testing the appliance and replacing the fused spur for 50p!!!

I don't think you can tar all with the same brush. Most clients only want plugged items tested with a risk assessment that hard wired appliances are less prone to damage than portable appliances leaving them to the EICR when it is due.

 

[FatAlan]

Probably a case of companies not being fully aware of obligations under EAWR & PUWER Regs and knowing exactly why they have taken steps to ensure their equipment is safe.
There is a firm of Electricians currently advertising on the radio free visual inspections for domestic properties if they haven't been checked for over 10 years. I'd love to be a fly on the wall on the instructions the inspectors are being given to drum up work!

 

[westward10]

Probably a case of companies not being fully aware of obligations under EAWR & PUWER Regs and knowing exactly why they have taken steps to ensure their equipment is safe.
There is a firm of Electricians currently advertising on the radio free visual inspections for domestic properties if they haven't been checked for over 10 years. I'd love to be a fly on the wall on the instructions the inspectors are being given to drum up work!

It will be just look at the CU, if it isn't metalclad, rcd etc.. then scare the living daylights out of them that their lives are at risk if they don't spend a few grand.

 

[Octopus]

My minimum charge of £60 for up to 24 items puts most people off

 

[uksrevivor]

The lowest I have seen over the past few years was £0.35 per item.
It really makes me wonder how they make any money on these.
just on basic maths to make £20 per hour these boys must be "testing" 60 items per hour (thats 1 per minuet!!)

uksrevivor - you mention class 2 is easy!! I did some PAT Testing today (the correct way) and doing an IR test between LN and the metal body of a class 2 TV I had 1.4Mohms.
There was no earth connection at all, 2 core cable on a kettle lead supplying the TV. This is the only time I have ever come across this in the 6 years I have been doing PAT Testing! but is shows the risks when "sticker boys" just stick a sticker on a class 2 item that looks ok!

Exactly why i didnt stay with the firm a total joke they were. Impossible to do the amount of tests they required properly i.e remove plug tops e.t.c and I would not put my name to any dodgy testing. You are right in saying sticker boys and thats exactly what this firm was.

 

[Andy Barton]

I've recently come across a company charging 27p per item we charge around 1.50 so needless to say have lost that customers!!

 

[JK-Electrical]

I only ever carry-out portable appliance testing in conjunction with the EICRs that I do for private lets. I offer to do them at no additional cost to the customer as I rarely have to test any more than two or three items at a time.

 

[RWJ]

We've got an alarm customer that has a local PAT specialist in, they charge 33p per item minimum 50 items. However I nosed at their report and it says they only test a sample of typically 10% all others will only be visual checked.

 

[Octopus]

We've got an alarm customer that has a local PAT specialist in, they charge 33p per item minimum 50 items. However I nosed at their report and it says they only test a sample of typically 10% all others will only be visual checked.

Hum ... 50 x 0.33 = £16.50 / 5 = £3.30 per item tested ....

£16.50 to turn up and do that .......... really

So a pointless test...