Pat testing

[Liamsparks]

Got first Job for a letting firm could be first of many and unfortunately it's a pat testing job. Its only 2 appliances yet I think charging an hourly rate is too much but 5.00 will look stupid on an invoice.

Is there any regular pat testers out there who can share what they normally do.

 

[malcolmsanford]

A loss leader ........................... there is really no way round it.

What you also could do it a type of credit note for them. Just advise them with a delivery note as such the address where you did the work, the work itself and the cost and advise them that due to the small amount involved you will hold over invoicing.

May encourage them to give you more work, or even pay you the small amount as they don't want to leave invoices hanging, or worse case you loose it completley.

 

[72-van]

This is the dilema ...
Its not worth your while getting the kit oot the motor for a fiver .
Ideally you should have had a min rate ...eg 40 items or less within 20 miles will be £half a days wages
Unless your making plenty monet from them on other jobs and are prepared to give them your time for free .

I think going on day rates rather than per item has to be the way forward for Pat ..

72-van

 

[72-van]

Bet you if its two appliances they will be hard wired ..lol

best take a breakout box as well or your mft.

72-van

 

[geordie]

I charge £1.50 per item with a minimum charge of £60 per site. This includes the testing of the first 40 items.

 

[Liamsparks]

Still unsure what to charge. £20?? Or do I leave it at £5 and roll it over like malcom suggested.

 

[polo1]

I would defo go fo the loss leader - worst case, you have wasted a bit of time. But you might get steady work that more than pays for the freebie.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Still unsure what to charge. £20?? Or do I leave it at £5 and roll it over like malcom suggested.

All I can say if it were me. If a customer rung me up and told me they got my number from an advert, and they had 2 pieces of equipment that needed PAT testing, then I would politely decline as i'm sure you would.

Because of the prospect of further work, on this particular job I would treat it as a free of charge quote, instead of just walking around a job taking notes, you will PAT test 2 pieces of equipment, I would look on it that way.

 

[Adam W]

Remember you still have to cover the cost of getting there, and pay yourself an hourly rate, regardless of what they want you to do.
On the one hand if you do this one for nothing or next to nothing they might give you more substantial jobs in the future, although on the other hand they might assume you're happy to spend an hour or 2 driving out somewhere to test 2 (probably fixed) appliances.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Just post them two filled in PASS stickers with a £10 invoice.

 

[DurhamSparky]

depends on distance but i have done 1 item for customer in my village for £10 .....! does it go in book does it hell... goes straigt in pocket and i call round on way back from job!

 

[Liamsparks]

Thanks for all your feedback

 

[dixon9]

How much do you need MINIMUM to attend a job? £50?

Ok.... Try something along the lines of the following:

£25 attendance + £3 per appliance BUT minimum fee £50.

There is nobody else that would drive out to a job and charge £5-6 for PAT testing 2 appliances.

AND don't forget, you are also supposed to send them a PAT log of test results to the customer.

 

[mogga]

Personaly id go with malcom on the "loss leader" do them a quote though for future ans so it is CLEAR to them that you have a min chargable quantity and min price including up to XYZ then how ever much there after but make sure it is clear that this is per SITE otherwise you may get an order for 40 items ( your min on quote) but these may be spread over a 60mile radius of 10 properties
my Wifes work had their PAT done recently (I couldnt quote nor do it as a homer due to paper trails and my employer charges to much for them) Anyway they got a nice couple of quotes #1 was typed and clearly listed min amount included and price per item there after also listed that each pc station would be classed as 4 items (cable,cable pcbox and screen) #2 quote was scribbled with full amount no number of items no explination just "Pat test equipment£200" the first guy worked out more than £200 BUT as wifes boss said atleast he was profesional and appeared to do things correctly with nice result sheet printed off at end of job and now he has job there for the forseeable future along with most electrical work