New to Pat testing - Help on costs!

[lucky5678]

Hey. I'm new to the PAT testing world and before I get going would really appreciate any help you can give on costing. I'm trying to forecast at the moment - so I don't go jacking my current job in to find myself up the creek without a paddle!

I've seen the amounts people charge per item so have a rough idea of what to charge, but I literally have no idea how many items to expect in certain types of business. For example - whats the average amount of money I could make testing a hairdressers, or a restaurant? I know its probably a huge grey area because the amount you can make will depend on the size of the business. I am really new to this and want to make sure I'm fully prepared and aware of the sort of money I can make before I go running away to the sunset only to get burnt!

Thanks in advance

Jen

 

[Octopus]

Well, Lucky5678, if you can make enough money to live on PAT testing, I'll be amazed.

You need to set a price list, have a minimum charge and stick to it.



Welcome to the forum.

 

[Sintra]

You need to work out how many items you can test in an hour. In my limeted experience of PAT I have only ever managed to average between 8 and 10 items. Figure out an hourly rate that you need including overheads then divide by the average number of items you test per hour and hey presto you get a cost per item.

 

[Octopus]

You need to work out how many items you can test in an hour. In my limeted experience of PAT I have only ever managed to average between 8 and 10 items. Figure out an hourly rate that you need including overheads then divide by the average number of items you test per hour and hey presto you get a cost per item.

Hum.... and don't forget time to get to the job, setting up and documentation time later.....

 

[Jonspark]

When ever I do PAT it's £7.50/item

 

[Octopus]

When ever I do PAT it's £7.50/item

Ha ha, like that.

I have a minimum charge of £50 so I'm still waiting for the customer who wants 1 item tested!

 

[Jonspark]

Ha ha, like that.

I have a minimum charge of £50 so I'm still waiting for the customer who wants 1 item tested!

its no joke! ive a few pubs i do every year at that price.

 

[lucky5678]

Thanks guys!

So I have an idea of cost per item, but I’m still lookingfor an average.

Like, the average pub overall cost is approximatey £100, theaverage hairdressers is approx £80 – that sort of thing. I understand it willvary on the individual and what they charge per item but I really am justtrying to get an idea of overall costs so I know what to expect. I can say thatI’ll charge £1.50 per item, but that still leaves me clueless as to what moneyI can make!..... unless I just go in at the deep end and get on with it!

Thanks again JAny help is appreciated

 

[ruston]

Hey. I'm new to the PAT testing world and before I get going would really appreciate any help you can give on costing. I'm trying to forecast at the moment - so I don't go jacking my current job in to find myself up the creek without a paddle!

I've seen the amounts people charge per item so have a rough idea of what to charge, but I literally have no idea how many items to expect in certain types of business. For example - whats the average amount of money I could make testing a hairdressers, or a restaurant? I know its probably a huge grey area because the amount you can make will depend on the size of the business. I am really new to this and want to make sure I'm fully prepared and aware of the sort of money I can make before I go running away to the sunset only to get burnt!

Thanks in advance

Jen

I think it is fair to say that most electricians pat test as an extra service , or to get in the door. I don't think that many would think they could make a living pat testing only, especially in view of the current charges by the specialist companies who label stick.

 

[Sintra]

You need to work out how many items you can test in an hour. In my limeted experience of PAT I have only ever managed to average between 8 and 10 items. Figure out an hourly rate that you need including overheads then divide by the average number of items you test per hour and hey presto you get a cost per item.

Hum.... and don't forget time to get to the job, setting up and documentation time later.....

That's why I said including overheads

 

[Jonspark]

work out how much you want per hr. i usually do 3-4 items per hr including test certs

 

[lucky5678]

I have a friendhalfway up the country who has successfully made a living solely pat testing -in fact she doesn't even work anymore as the business runs itself and she hadto take on employees to cover the extra work, so it can be done!

I'd ask her for advice, but she's halfway round the world at the moment onanother holiday - lucky for some!

 

[armbands0]

start by testing at weekends, businesses will possibly want you to do that anyway.

I charge a minimum of £50.00 max 25 tests than charge £2.50 /test after that. Money is poor but it gets me in the door.

 

[andyb]

I have a minimum charge of £50 so I'm still waiting for the customer who wants 1 item tested!

Had this a couple of weeks ago, got a call from someone about testing 1 appliance, told them it was a minimum £50.00 + vat, he said fine, email me an invoice and I'll pay it into your account straight away then do the test before the weekend.

It was a Pringle machine in a bowling alley near me. I could do with 4 of these jobs a day then I'd go into pat testing full time.

Still waiting though.

 

[ohreally]

It was a Pringle machine in a bowling alley near me. I could do with 4 of these jobs a day then I'd go into pat testing full time.

Most of the appliances I test are industrial, fixed/3 phase appliances. Prefer doing this to plugtop stuff any day.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Hey. I'm new to the PAT testing world and before I get going would really appreciate any help you can give on costing. I'm trying to forecast at the moment - so I don't go jacking my current job in to find myself up the creek without a paddle!

I've seen the amounts people charge per item so have a rough idea of what to charge, but I literally have no idea how many items to expect in certain types of business. For example - whats the average amount of money I could make testing a hairdressers, or a restaurant? I know its probably a huge grey area because the amount you can make will depend on the size of the business. I am really new to this and want to make sure I'm fully prepared and aware of the sort of money I can make before I go running away to the sunset only to get burnt!

Thanks in advance

Jen

Just to give you a heads up. Nationals do it for 75p an appliance and their "engineers" lol, "inspect and test" lol, 300 appliances a day!! Mugs game. If asked, I do £50 including 10 appliances then £2.00 each after that. I don't do many!!

 

[Guest77]

When ever I do PAT it's £7.50/item

You don't do much then? the big companies who do this usually do it for a quid an item, I am not suggesting for one minute it is right, but it happens lol, 7-50 haha, well good luck earning a living from that price.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I used to get 40p per item from the agency during the low, low points of my electrical career.
You've never seen me move so fast in your life!!! Some testing did actually get done, not all sticker slapping. :smilielol5:

 

[Charlie_]

The main factor that dictates the costs is how extensive the tests are.
You need to come up with a price list based on what tests you are carrying out and what reports are being provided.
what types of testers do you use?

 

[Jonspark]

You don't do much then? the big companies who do this usually do it for a quid an item, I am not suggesting for one minute it is right, but it happens lol, 7-50 haha, well good luck earning a living from that price.

That's just a side job, I have a full time job also