PAT Testing Cost

How Much Does PAT Testing Cost?

What is PAT testing?

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) is a term that is used to describe the process of examining electrical equipment and appliances to make sure they are safe to use.

While a lot of defects can be identified visually, others can only be found through proper testing.

How many electrical items do you have for PAT testing?

1–5 items

8 votes - 25%25% of votes

6–15 items

6 votes - 19%19% of votes

16–30 items

4 votes - 13%13% of votes

30+ items

14 votes - 44%44% of votes

32 votes See results Hide results

Do you need a PAT test and want to know the cost?

The average cost of PAT testing is around £150, but this will depend on a few factors:

• The number of items to be tested.
• Whether there are any repairs or replacements needed.

Per item, the average cost for PAT testing is around £1 to £3 per appliance. You may be able to get discounts if you have a large number of items to test at the same time. Some companies may choose to charge an hourly rate, which could be around £40 to £60.

PAT Testing Prices

Many companies will charge an initial fee to cover the PAT testing cost for the first batch of items, followed by a small price for each additional item. With this in mind, you should be sure to budget for both types of fee.

Below is a table of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) prices, categorised by the number of appliances being tested:

I'm testing 100 appliances. What's the fee?

You'll pay a base fee of £50 to £100 for the first 10 appliances, then the remaining 90 appliances will cost between £1 and £3 each. To PAT test 100 items, this is roughly £255.

That equates to:

• 50 Appliances — ~£155.
• 150 Appliances — ~£355.
• 200 Appliances — ~£455.

Calculate the Cost of PAT Testing

Need a more accurate estimate of how much PAT testing your devices will cost?

Try out our PAT test cost calculator.

With some basic info and details about the type and number of devices you want testing, you can get an estimate in seconds.

This can be handy for getting a rough idea of your PAT testing costs, and you can also get quotes from local electricians for more accurate prices for your PAT testing.

Quotes you get through MyJobQuote are fast, free, with no obligation to proceed.

What's Included in a PAT Testing Quote?

Not sure what your PAT testing quote includes?

Most costs will cover the following:

• Visual inspection of electrical appliances.
• Electrical testing.
• Classifying each tested item with pass or fail stickers.
• Certifications.
• Travel fees to and from the location.

So, what's not included?

• Electrical replacements or repairs.

If your PAT tester finds faulty electricals, they won't fix them as part of your PAT testing service. That will be charged as an extra electrical job, separate to your initial job, as we'll get into next.

Additional Electrical Safety Costs

PAT tests are likely to identify electrical problems. Here's what you might need to budget for if problems are found during the testing, or if you simply want to upgrade some of your electrical items:

Electrical Upgrades

• New indoor plug sockets can modernise rooms and are a quick and easy visual upgrade, costing around £75.
• If you want an electrical connection outside, you can have outdoor sockets installed for £120.
• Integrating smart lighting can offer energy-saving benefits, with the average installation costing £85.

Electrical Safety and Compliance

• An electrical safety certificate costs £120, and is a legal requirement for UK landlords to show the property's wiring and fixed electrics are safe.
• If you want a microwave leakage test to see that the radiation emitted from your microwave is at a safe level while operating, this extra test will cost between £15 and £30.
• Once your repairs have been made, you'll then need your appliances PAT tested again, which typically costs between £20 and £50.

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Cost of PAT Testing Labour & Timescales

PAT testing can be carried out by a PAT testing engineer or by an electrician who has PAT testing equipment.

The prices may be charged by the hour, as a fixed rate, or per item that is tested:

• A qualified electrician will usually charge around £40 to £60 per hour.
• Larger jobs may be charged by a daily rate of around £200 to £250.

There is usually a minimum fee regardless of the number of items that need to be tested. This will usually cover the costs involved, such as travel, labels, VAT, equipment, and labour costs.

How do I keep my PAT testing costs down?

It is best to schedule the tests at a time when the items are not in use to reduce the overall time that the engineer has to spend at the property. These reduced timeframes are the best way to keep the overall costs of labour down.

The exact time that it takes to test each item will vary. Small appliances such as a computer can be tested within around 5 minutes. However, larger items will likely take longer to test.

Factors That Impact PAT Testing Costs

There are several factors that could affect the overall PAT testing cost.

Let's take a look:

Type of Item to Be Tested

Smaller items will tend to take less time to test, and so these will cost less in labour to complete.

More complex items and larger electrical systems are likely to take much longer and can impact the overall PAT testing cost.

Number of Items to Be Tested

If the items are priced per item, then you will pay more for the job as there are more items.

Per item costs are usually around £1 to £3 per item.

Also, the more items that need to be tested, the longer the job will take overall. This means that, if the job is priced per hour, the costs will add up.

Additional Work Needed

Additional work may be needed as part of this job.

Sometimes the electrical equipment being tested may need to be repaired, or parts may need to be replaced in order for it to pass the PAT test.

If that's the case, you will need to pay for the electrical faults to be fixed as part of the PAT testing cost or have your electrical appliances replaced.

Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the overall cost of the job. Those based in London can expect to pay more than those based in the north or other areas of the UK.

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What Does the PAT Test Involve?

PAT testing of electrical appliances is a relatively straightforward process.

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you hire an experienced electrical contractor to carry out your PAT tests:

Before the Job

• Initial Visual Inspection & Preparation — The contractor will identify and confirm which electrical appliances are to be tested and make sure these can be accessed safely. They will review any PAT documents, where applicable, and plan their testing schedule to minimise any disruption.
• Equipment Setup — The contractor will set up all the necessary equipment for the PAT tests and ensure these are properly calibrated and working correctly.

During the Job

• Visual Inspection — The contractor will carry out a visual inspection and risk assessment of each electrical appliance for signs of damage or misuse. This will include checking plug casings, cables and cord grips, fuses, as well as wiring and terminals.
• Electrical Testing — After completing the visual check, the contractor will carry out a number of electrical safety checks, including an earth continuity test, insulation resistance test, and functional and leakage tests. Some minor repairs, such as replacing fuses or tightening loose connections, will usually be fixed on the spot so the appliance is safe and passes the test.

After the Job

• Labelling & PAT Testing Certificate — Tested electrical appliances are labelled with a pass or fail sticker, showing the test date and recommended date for the next test. A Portable Appliance Testing certificate and any other required documents will also be prepared and provided.
• Reporting & Follow-Up — Details of any appliances and electrical equipment that failed testing or have serious faults will be provided in the report, with recommendations for whether they need to be fixed, replaced, or require further testing.

Can I Conduct PAT Testing Myself?

Yes, if you wish to save on the potential PAT testing cost, you can conduct PAT testing yourself as long as you are capable of correctly using the required equipment.

There are a few things to consider:

• Although PAT testing machines are user-friendly, they can cost between £150 and £500, making them an expensive initial outlay.
• While machines provide a pass/fail result, you still need to understand test readings.
• Additionally, this requires knowledge of earth continuity, insulation resistance, and how to resolve issues.
• Some appliances, such as white goods and electrical tools, can potentially benefit from testing more regularly.
• Electricity can cause serious injury and potential fire safety hazards if wiring and appliances are not handled correctly.
• By testing yourself, be mindful that you are also confirming the appliances are safe for others to use.

For peace of mind, it is always best to leave this job to the professionals who have all of the experience and knowledge needed to complete the job thoroughly.

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Do You Need PAT Testing?

While peace of mind that your electrical appliances are all safe is always good, most homeowners shouldn't need to routinely PAT test their electrical appliances. However, there are numerous situations where PAT testing could be needed:

• Businesses & Workplaces — Employers need to ensure that any portable electrical equipment is safe for their employees to use.
• Landlords — Any electrical equipment provided in rented properties must be safe for use by the tenants.
• Holiday Lets & Guest Accommodation — Similar to the above, holiday accommodation operators must ensure supplied appliances are safe for the guest to use.
• High Use/Risk Environments — Equipment that is subject to harsher environments or heavy use should be checked on a regular basis, according to the level of use/risk.
• Damage Assessment — Any damaged or faulty equipment should not be used, but PAT testing can be a good way of identifying potential issues.

Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement?

PAT testing is not a legal requirement for homeowners, so you do not need to have appliances in your own home tested. Employers are responsible for keeping electrical equipment safe, while landlords may also have separate duties for appliances they provide.

However, the occasional PAT testing cost is worth the expense as it's one of the best ways to ensure that all of your electrical equipment is deemed safe.

Workplace Requirements

Within the workplace, employers have a legal duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure that electrical equipment is well maintained and in a safe condition.

While PAT testing isn't mandatory to achieve this, it remains a widely recognised practice to meet these obligations. It also helps prove that electrical safety has been a priority and can reduce the risk of accidents such as electrical shock or fire hazards.

Landlord Requirements

UK landlords must ensure the electrical appliances they provide are safe to use. In Scotland, private landlords must arrange PAT testing by a competent person before the property is first let, then at least every 5 years. In England, social landlords must have the electrical equipment they supply checked by a qualified person at least every 5 years.

Landlords are also required by law to obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for any rented property, which assesses the safety of a property's fixed electrical installation, including the house wiring and consumer unit.

Private landlords in England, Wales and Northern Ireland aren't required to arrange PAT testing, but it can help demonstrate that the appliances they provide are safe.

What Appliances Need PAT Testing?

PAT testing covers portable appliances. As a general guide, this is often defined as an appliance that is less than 18kg in weight and easily transportable.

Most items that connect to the power supply through a plug and cable can be PAT tested. However, double-insulated (Class 2) appliances used in low-risk areas, such as offices, may only need regular visual checks rather than formal PAT testing.

Products for PAT testing are usually put into different classes. The class list can be found below:

• Class 1 — Electrical items with limited insulation and an earth connection. These have greater potential for injury, and this class of products should be the highest priority when it comes to PAT testing.
• Class 2 — Electrical items with double insulation.
• Class 3 — Electrical items with a low voltage.

Benefits of PAT Testing

There are a number of benefits to paying the PAT testing cost, especially within a business or industry setting. The main benefits are listed below:

• Safer Working Environment — Electrical safety within the workplace is the responsibility of the employer, and it is essential to make sure all electrical equipment is safe for use. PAT testing the electrical equipment in the workplace helps ensure that it is safe for use.
• Safer Electrical Equipment — When checks are made by a qualified electrician or a PAT testing professional, this can reduce any chances of an accidental fire as a result of faulty electrical equipment.
• Support Insurance Requirements — If there are any faults or accidents due to faulty electrical equipment, this may not be covered on your insurance policy if the proper testing hasn't been kept up.
• Better Equipment Maintenance — Regular checks on your electrical equipment mean that you can identify potential problems early before they result in a long-term or permanent fault. PAT testing is an important part of regular maintenance.
• Improved Appliance Safety — PAT testing is an effective approach to ensure that your appliances are as safe as they can be.

Checklist: Hiring a PAT Tester in the UK

There are a few things you will need to consider before hiring someone to do PAT testing for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right tradesperson for the job:

• Have you searched around for recommendations? Check their online presence and MyJobQuote profile, along with reviews, and ask friends and family if they have anyone in mind they could suggest.
• Have you asked for more than one quote? By receiving at least 3 quotes via MyJobQuote you can gauge an accurate idea of whether someone is too expensive. Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a reasonable price for each element of the job.
• Is the contractor experienced in PAT testing? Check how long they've been PAT testing and ask about their background. For example, a qualified electrician is likely to be well-suited for the job.
• Does the contractor have all the appropriate equipment? As you are not doing the work yourself, it is important to understand how the contractor is carrying out the PAT testing on any electrical appliances and what equipment is being used.
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise? In the event of any items failing the PAT test, check if they are able to carry out any repairs and if they are included within the price or charged as extra.
• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work? This helps to provide confidence in their PAT testing ability and the reassurance that the job will be carried out correctly.
• Do they have public liability insurance? Public liability insurance covers both yourself and the tradesperson in the event of an accident or accidental damage.

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