periodics and visuals

[fletchflash]

Hi all,

looking for a bit of info for pricing on periodics, visual inspections.
Just gone self employed couple months back and my friend whos a plumber is about to introduce me to a couple of estate agents to do breakdown work, periodics and visual inspections.

Thinking of charging low price to get the work,
£100 quid for a periodic on a 2 bed house, £120 for a three bed. Anything upwards treat as individual price.

Thinking of having this price include PAT testing of up to 5 appliances too.
Whats anyone think price wise, bearing in mind to secure this work would be a great start for my business?

Also what do people charge for a visual inspection and how much do you inspect for that price? Did a few visuals in my old job which would include taking a switch and socket off in every room and few live tests (Zs each socket circuit and RCD tests) Was thinking maybe £50? Again, i'll maybe include PAT testing in this price.

Which leads me to my next question, PAT testing.
Did a whole school once by myself for an old employer, but have never done the 2377 course. Cant quite remember everything about how to do it, but have a book on it. As far as I'm aware im okay to do it without doing the course. Is this true?
I dont want to do purely PAT testing jobs really, just think its a good idea to offer this service at same time as doing a PIR or visual.
Also do microwave leakage tests have to be done when PAT testing a miocrowave?

thankyou all

 

[eddielarge]

Hi i have done my 2377 , but you dont need it to pat test you just have to be a competent.

Reguarding periodics if you can get the jobs at the price that you quoted well done , as this sort of work is your bread and butter work and estate agents never dry up

good luck

 

[darking]

For one offs I charge £250 for 12 way board, 350 for 18 way board 500 for 36 way board. price work (regular work for council or other agency) is £150 per Domestic consumer unit, or £12 per way (fuse or breaker) I am not sure what you mean by a visual? "Did a few visuals in my old job which would include taking a switch and socket off in every room and few live tests (Zs each socket circuit and RCD tests)" sounds like a half hearted attempt at inspection and tesing.

A visual inspection is recorded on a schedule of inspections and preceeds testing which is recorded on a schedule of test results. Do a proper job and charge a decent price. Doing PAT testing of radial circuits with electrical equipment wired into the installation (like a water heater shower pump or aircon unit) is best done from the nearest isolation point.

Combining aPat Test with a Periodic inspection Report is a good way to go, with £1 for plug in equipment and £4 for wired in equipment. Good luck with your contract!

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Been doing a load of PAT testing on caravan parks lately with some periodics (10% only) thrown in too. All set price £10 per caravan for “up to 6 items inc microwave rad test”. Periodics are £25 for 2 way board and basic tests (30 mins max).

NEVER price your self in low to get through the door as its very hard to put your prices up, rather bend over backwards, do a good job and turn up on time. Its amazing who quickly news of someone reliable spreads.....Only went self employed at the start of the year and I have people waiting up to 6 weeks for my services all without discounting.

Yes have set rated and only discount in your favour e.g. the proximity of a number of inspections and always caveat the discount with the nature of the job i.e. “10% on completion of 10 periodics…….” That way you have some comeback to charge the full rate if they pull the final 5……