PAT Testing

[Sw1Electrical]

Hi all.
I'm recently new to the world of electrics, after a career change. I'm slowly but surely getting all the relevant 'tickets' for me to be a competent person. I have the C&G 2377 pat testing course. Next week, (it's a freebie from my college). I like the thought of maybe doing PAt testing, however I'd like to know if there is any money in it anymore? Every sparks I talk to sound like a London Black cab driver. "Nah, the games gone, no more money in it anymore". Is this correct, or is that them saying that, because I could be potentially getting work that they haven't got? I'm gonna leave big firms alone, and concentrate on small local businesses. But, is it gonna be worth the leg work printing flyers, and visiting local trades...Any pointers, what to charge etc will be gratefully appreciated. Thank you all in advance.
reagrds
Steve.

 

[Darkwood]

PATesting is mind numbingly boring, its a brain drain job and leaves you questioning yourself ... too many big companies doing silly deals that means you have to work your butt of for minimum wage - having said that, if its free just take it and get the pass for your CV.

What course are you doing?

 

[Sw1Electrical]

PATesting is mind numbingly boring, its a brain drain job and leaves you questioning yourself ... too many big companies doing silly deals that means you have to work your butt of for minimum wage - having said that, if its free just take it and get the pass for your CV.

What course are you doing?

(You'll probably hate me for saying this), but I'm doing a Domestic installers course. I Guessed that start off small learn the trade become confident, and then go onto bigger stuff, to eventually become an approved contractor. I've got my part P and 17th edition so far., testing and inspection in June.i'm out working with an old hand to build my confidence up.

thanks for the reply.
regards
steve.

 

[Welchyboy1]

I get asked to do it for my regular customers sometimes, but apart from that wouldnt give it the time of day, large companies charge anything down to 50p per item, i need to charge £3 per item to do it properly and make a profit as a one man band, with tiny comparable overheads.....go figure

most sparks consider it below them(understandably)

if it fills up the diary when your quiet fair enough as it may get you a foot in the door for better work

but consider untangling all the leads and cabling behind your tv every day over and over again whilst crouched down under a desk, thats basically PAT testing

 

[SteveH40]

we used to do pat testing in house and it was dull!!!! we now pay a local guy who setup on his own after departing from Hawkesworth who apparently pay about 35 pence per item to the engineers, how many have you got to do in a day to make a living ffs! i'd rather be a painter than do that!

Please watch your language on a public forum....

 

[telectrix]

engineers?????? sticker merchants, more like.

 

[SteveH40]

as i wrote it i thought twice about putting it but then thought i should give the benefit of the doubt and respect all areas of the trade..............perhaps

 

[telectrix]

@35p/item, that 1 every 2 minutes to make a tenner/hour . flick that for a game of soldiers.

 

[SteveH40]

would explain why the last "engineer / label queen" that came to us was a fat slob with zero passion for his job and a knack of getting in everyone's way while sweating like gary glitter on a school bus....... hence we have moved on to another tester now

 

[SteveH40]

@35p/item, that 1 every 2 minutes to make a tenner/hour . flick that for a game of soldiers.

Hawkesworth charge 95 pence per item though... nice mark up.

 

[tlangdon12]

While there might not be money to be made specifically from PAT, it's useful to be able to offer PAT as one of your services . As a landlord, I look for one electrician that can do both fixed wire test & inspections (EICRs) and PAT. I don't mind paying the difference in cost for the few portable item I supply in my properties as it means I can get everything checked out in one visit.

 

[markc123]

engineers?????? sticker merchants, more like.

Sticker merchants, pfft! Is that a 'take one to know one' comment by any chance tel? haha

Years ago, and i kid you not - i heard some random spark in the wholesaler joking around saying .... "of course we just stick stickers on, appliances can go faulty at any time - so if something goes wrong '...well it was alright when we tested it' "

I do abit of PAT (unfortunately) i'll let your imagination decide whether i follow that random spark's advice or whether im a law abiding citizen haha.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

With all things you got to Think on the ADD ON COSTS
Machine, Calibration of the Machine Yearly, Any Faults that Might Come up, Your Wage, Travel Costs, Lables,
YOu can claim bit of it back via Tax i guess.

I worked for a Company just testing TVs (didnt PAT test them) Just check the Cable (had a ditch one TV abou 42" working brilliantly {guy i working with wathcing it for 2hr} putting it away and found the power cable cut in to right were it goes in tot eh TV, i wasnt alowed to repair it, so sold as a job lot, wished id gottn it), Casing, Picture, sound and Inputs (not sure if they even check the cable now as they KICKED me out as i was doing a Electirical Installations Course Part Time) we did use to Pat test the Washing Machiens, Tumble Dryers, cookers and Dish washers tho