PAT Testing Cost
£40–£60minimum visit fee. Last updated August 2026.
Checkatrade's June 2026 guide reports PAT testing at £1-£1.25 per item, with a typical minimum visit fee of £40-£60. The final total depends mainly on appliance count and the testing environment. Electricians who do PAT testing
What each option costs
| Type | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum visit fee | £40–£60 | Typical call-out or minimum site fee reported by Checkatrade |
| 1-50 items | £1.25 | Average UK cost per item reported by Checkatrade |
| 51-100 items | £1 | Average UK cost per item reported by Checkatrade |
| Hourly rate where used | £40–£60 | Published UK hourly benchmark; a minimum fee may still apply |
| Out-of-hours hourly rate | £80–£100 | Published UK out-of-hours benchmark |
What affects the price
- Number of appliances: this is the single biggest factor; more appliances means a lower per-item cost but higher total bill
- Type of appliances: simple Class II appliances (double insulated, like phone chargers) are quicker to test than Class I earthed appliances (like kettles and desktop computers with metal casings) which require earth continuity testing
- Location and travel time: electricians and PAT testing companies factor travel costs into their pricing, especially for rural locations
- Frequency of testing: annual contracts or regular bookings often attract lower per-appliance rates than one-off visits
- Whether testing includes labelling: most PAT testers include pass/fail labels as standard, but some charge extra for asset register documentation and formal certificates
- Accessibility of appliances: if equipment is difficult to reach (behind desks, mounted on walls, in server rooms), testing takes longer per item
What’s included
- Visual inspection of each appliance checking for damage to plugs, cables, and casings
- Electrical tests appropriate to the equipment class and manufacturer guidance, which may include earth continuity, insulation resistance, or leakage-current testing
- A functional check where it is appropriate and safe for the equipment
- Pass or fail labelling where included in the quote; HSE guidance says labels should show the test date rather than a fixed next-test date
- An asset register, detailed results, or a certificate only where the quote includes that documentation
Good to know
How long does it take? The duration depends on the number and type of appliances, access to them, the testing environment, and the records required. Ask the tester to state the planned item count and likely disruption in the quote.
Do I need one? UK law requires electrical equipment to be maintained so it does not cause danger, but it does not require portable appliance testing by name or set a universal testing interval. HSE guidance says the maintenance approach should be proportionate to the equipment, how it is used, and the environment; in a low-risk setting, user checks and visual inspection may be enough for many items. Record the risk-based maintenance approach your organisation chooses.
Before you book, read how to check an electrician is qualified.
How to pay less
- On commercial premises, pair the PAT visit with wider electrical maintenance and compare any quoted labour using Tradehand's Commercial Electrician Rates guide
- Bundle PAT testing with your annual EICR or other electrical maintenance to save on separate visit fees
- Ask whether a regular contract changes the visit fee or per-item rate
- Prepare for the visit by making appliances accessible and providing a list of items to be tested. Time wasted searching for or accessing equipment increases the bill
- Remove old, damaged, or unused appliances before the tester arrives. There is no point paying to test equipment you plan to dispose of, and items that are visually damaged will fail anyway
- For small inventories, compare the minimum visit fee with the cost and responsibility of training a competent member of staff
- Ask for the per-item rate at each volume band before booking
