How Much Should You Charge for PAT Testing? A Practical Guide for Sparkies and Safety Managers 

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is one of those tasks that everyone agrees must be done, yet nobody seems certain what the work is really worth. Search online and you will find quotes ranging from 70 pence per item to £3 per item—and day-rates that differ even more. The spread exists because pricing depends less on the printed label and more on the service behind it. 

Below we break down the variables that push PAT costs up or down, outline legal basics, and suggest a sensible way to build (or scrutinise) a quote. 

PAT Testing in a Nutshell 

• What is PAT? 
  A formal visual inspection plus an electrical test of a plug-in appliance—think kettles, drills, PC power supplies—to confirm it is safe for continued use. 

• Why do it? 
  PAT is not written into statute, but the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 oblige every employer to keep electrical systems “in a condition as to prevent danger.” Regular PAT is the simplest audit trail if the Health & Safety Executive ever calls. 

• Who can test? 
  A “competent person” with the correct equipment and enough knowledge to interpret the readings. That could be a qualified PAT technician or a registered electrician offering a PAT add-on. 

Typical Pricing Models 

Most testers set a minimum call-out—often £60–£80—to cover travel, admin and calibration overheads. 

Why Rock-Bottom Quotes Can Be Risky 

PAT looks simple: plug the appliance into a tester, press a button, print a label. Yet poor practice crops up when operators chase speed rather than safety. Common shortcuts include: 

• Skipping fuse checks or incorrect fuse ratings 

• Copy-pasting results for multiple items 

• Sticking “PASS” labels on kit never tested 

• Ignoring visual defects like cracked casings or heat damage 

A competent tester working in an office can handle 250–300 items in a day. In a workshop full of fixed machinery that number drops to 120–150. Claims of “500 items a day” should set alarm bells ringing. 

Building Your Own Charge Rate (For Contractors) 

1. Cost of labour – What is your target hourly profit after tax? 

1. Tester depreciation and calibration – Budget £150–£200 per year. 

1. Labels, fuses, plugs – Roughly 10–15 p per item. 

1. Travel and downtime – Factor the minutes spent waiting for staff to shut down PCs or tills. 

1. Report administration – Clients expect a certificate and asset list in PDF. 

Add a margin for unforeseen snags—frozen plug tops, kit hidden in cupboards—then quote per item with a clear minimum fee. 

What Your Clients Should Ask Before Booking 

1. Are you insured? 
   Public liability should cover electrical work. 

1. What qualifications do you hold? 
   Accept either a PAT competence certificate (C&G 2377 or equivalent) or an electrician’s ECS/Gold Card. 

1. Do you charge extra for minor fixes? 
   Some firms bundle fuse changes; others treat them as add-ons. 

1. How many items can you test in a day? 
   Numbers wildly above 300 in an office or 150 in an industrial space may indicate corner-cutting. 

1. Will I receive a digital asset list? 
   Essential for insurance audits. 

Sample Price Bands (2024 regional averages) 

Remember: ultra-cheap quotes often add 50 p for each plug rewire or microwave leakage test, nudging the final invoice higher than a premium all-inclusive service. 

Staying Competitive Without Cutting Corners 

• Bundle services – Offer annual PAT plus a mid-year visual-only survey. 

• Track assets – Provide bar-coded labels; clients love simplified audits. 

• Educate clients – Explain why an extension lead fails and fix it on site; upsell but add genuine value. 

• Plan routes – Group nearby jobs to slash fuel costs, letting you hold rates without eroding margin. 

PAT testing is less about slapping on a green sticker and more about demonstrating due diligence. Whether you charge 90 p or £2 per item, the fee must support the time and care required to find both obvious and hidden faults. Price too low, and corners get cut—putting end-users (and your reputation) at risk. Price fairly, test thoroughly, log results accurately. That balance keeps clients safe and your PAT diary full. 

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