OMG....not another PAT question....

[Penfold42]

Thinking of branching out into the PAT testing business.
Worked out the costings for the course and PAT machine.

Question to people who do this as a side line -
Is there much work about doing this?

I know that's a loose question bit like "How long's a piece of string?"
Depends how you advertise yourself etc, etc....

Some tips would be good if possible.
Thanks.

:)

[A1DL]

Thinking of branching out into the PAT testing business.
Worked out the costings for the course and PAT machine.

Question to people who do this as a side line -
Is there much work about doing this?

I know that's a loose question bit like "How long's a piece of string?"
Depends how you advertise yourself etc, etc....

Some tips would be good if possible.
Thanks.

:)


Hi Tony

We have done inhouse PAT for many years for all our DJs.
Whilst we apply a nominal charge to cover time, annual calibration, consumables, etc, we don't offer PAT commercially.

However, a few tips & things that aren't covered on the course...

- don't underestimate the cost of consumables & tools. We spend around £150 on pass labels each year - they are not cheap.

- make up every conceivable set of jumpers. You will quickly come across the one you didn't make!

- coil up and place the earth bond cable & croc clip in the lid of the tester when testing leads, as it is potentially dangerious when energised loose on the bench

- if going out on site, take a comprehensive toolkit with you.

- programme additional preset test sequences into your tester - most good testers come with the basics, however adding tests such as "Class 2 + skip IR test", will save you a lot of time recording manual results when you encounter an appliance where you cannot sensibly perform an insulation test.

- there can be good profit in PAT related sales - as well as having a standard charge for testing appliances and leads, apply a standard rewiring charge, and make a sensible margin on plugs, sockets, fuses, RCDs, etc. Register with an electrical wholesaler (don't buy consumables at a DIY retailer)

Hope this helps.

Tony

[Penfold42]

Thanks Tony....that's a good starting point. :)

[ppentertainments]

Can I be nosey Tony and ask which course you are doing and where you intend purchasing equipment from ??

I have been looking at this as one option for 'something to do during the day'.

[Tom]

Good luck with this Tony.

PAT testing is part of my electrical course so I could be also doing too. lol.

Everyone will be doing it soon. Bit like setting up a internet radio station. lol.

[Penfold42]

Can I be nosey Tony and ask which course you are doing and where you intend purchasing equipment from ??

I have been looking at this as one option for 'something to do during the day'.

http://www.pattestuk.com/

Courses are listed.

http://www.pat-services.co.uk/megger-pat4dv-printer-547.htm?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=547&utm_campaign=froogle

But I have seen this a lot cheaper.

[ppentertainments]

Similar to what I have been looking at cheers ;)
Just looking for something to do during the day so will be interested in how you get on.

[OllieJames]

Everyone will be doing it soon. Bit like setting up a internet radio station. lol.

Too true haha!

[Pe7e]

Everyone will be doing it soon. Bit like setting up a internet radio station. lol.

And equipment hire, uplighting and chocolate fountains etc, etc LOL
On a serious point, check the local market if you want to make money from it, I can get it done for as little as £1 an item (on the understanding there would be quite a lot of leads) at that price it would lead me to think the market was saturated and the testers were desperate for the work, a bit like many DJs are nowadays

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I dont really think there is much of a market for PAT testing. I say that because I asked a few sparkys round here when mine was due recently and they all said "theres no money in Pat testing".

Maybe find out locally how many people offer it before diving in?

[BeerFunk]

There must be money in it, if you manage to win contracts with bigger firms and local councils (covering schools, theatres etc).

[A1DL]

There must be money in it, if you manage to win contracts with bigger firms and local councils (covering schools, theatres etc).

absolutely Callum - plus the benefit that most businesses will need annual retesting, so provided your price is fair and service good, you should be pretty much guaranteed repeat business.

Some of the work will be out of business hours, I mean you can't be crawling around under secretaries' desks testing their computer & extension leads whilst they're at work, now can you?!:cool: :)

[Pe7e]

There must be money in it, if you manage to win contracts with bigger firms and local councils (covering schools, theatres etc).
If you can get a few good contracts it's a different ball game, but if a 'one man business' thinks they can take a one day course, then get themselves on the council approved contractors list, a week or two later, they're living in cloud cuckoo land. Small / Medium sized local businesses, who have previously used electrical contractors for testing their equipment may well be an easier sell.

[Vectis]

I dont really think there is much of a market for PAT testing. I say that because I asked a few sparkys round here when mine was due recently and they all said "theres no money in Pat testing".

Maybe find out locally how many people offer it before diving in?

I've had this too. No end of trouble with folks promising to turn up, never showing. Umming and aahing because it's only about 100 items.

Luckily now found a reliable tester but I have to take a vanload of stuff to him :bang: