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Carl9254

  • #1
    Hello all,

    Ive just been made redundant from a company, im 22 and been with them since i left school, im thinking of buying a PAT Tester as ive done the PAT Testing course, im also 17th edition qualified, id love to start doing a bit of PAT Testing and then get into electrical house installation etc, but ive not a clue how to start it all?? Please help!!

    Thanks.
     
    P

    profitxchange

  • #2
    If you are good at what you do - I would start small and advertise in your local parish magazines. Its cheap and I have had good reports from people that use this medium for their businesses.
    Put notices up in shops who have advertising boards.
    Do you have transport? If so try removable signage.

    Good luck
     
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    mhall

    mhall

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  • #4
    As PAT testing is almost always commercial, you will lose customers faster than you can get them if you are not ready to go before you advertise. Businesses want PAT testing becuse its (unfortunately) a legal requirement, most will not want to wait while you decide whether you want to do it or not. 17th edition testers cost less than £500 - a small price to pay, in my opinion, to start a business - and you could always sell it if you can't get the customers. If your business fails you lose around £300. Go for it.
     
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    mhall

    mhall

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  • #6
    I think Seaward are simply a manufacturer - Find a decent local electrical wholesaler and be guided by them. Use the internet if you wish to get an idea of price, but I think its better to start a relationship with a wholesaler who you can build your business with
     
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    BusinessDeli

    BusinessDeli

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    Sep 2, 2008
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  • #8
    Not a bad idea but I reckon you could make more cash from home electrical installations. Had a friend that did PAT testing and he was busting his balls with the work but managed to make a return on it. You have to flood the businesses in the area with offers of service and a price; I think my friend was charging around 10p per item tested. The business model works better when you employ others to do the work for you in the future...
     
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    AdamJ

    AdamJ

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    Oct 12, 2007
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  • #9
    There's a company called PASS (I remember their website is green but not its actual address - Google is your friend) who sell a good range of PAT units. Another good brand is Megger. The tie off is between lower cost now - easy to get going; and higher cost now - but more automated so you can do more tests per day in the future.

    Once you get a good system going you should be able to make a decent living, but get your kit first, then advertise and get a website up and running so you are in a position to meet any orders you get.

    Prices seem to be very variable, from about 80p a test for very large jobs, up to about £1.30 a test for smaller ones. (80p per item was a rate I saw for 2000+ tests, a client of ours just paid (not to us - we don't do it) about £1.20 a test for about 750 tests).

    Go for it - you may lose a small bit of money if you pack it in and have to sell the kit, but you could always buy one second hand as well? Not having a boss and earning money for yourself rather than a company is worth the risk though.
     
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    Carl9254

  • #10
    Yea i think them prices is the going rate, around £1 an item. I used to do a bit of PAT Testing around the factory where i worked and they had a Seaward unit which was pretty good and could get through items pretty quick and print labels so will go for one of them, i think the Seaward Europa looks good quality. Who decides the re-test schedule???

    Obviously to begin with it will be tough but once the name is out there it should get easier.

    Cheers.
     
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    AdamJ

    AdamJ

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    Oct 12, 2007
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  • #14
    Carl9254 said:
    One last thing. Whose job is it to count how many items need doing? Would i just have to work my way around and see what i find or do they look first and contact a PAT Tester? Thanks again.
    Click to expand...

    The client should know as they're going to have to contact people asking for a quote. Employers should hold a register of portable appliances and then ensure that the testing in done, which means they should be able to tell you.

    In reality, larger ones will probably have a rough idea and expect the tester to give them the exact number as they do them. As the person doing the testing though you want your clients to know what they have, rather than you waste time hunting around for them - you need to be churning through the paid tests rather than delving around too much in obscure storage rooms.
     
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    Carl9254

  • #16
    I have now decided on doing the Inspection and testing 2391 course too widen my skills, but does this mean i wont be able to re wire houses but just inspect and test them??

    And if so will the Part P course mean i can re-wire??

    Thanks.
     
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    B

    Bri

  • #19
    Carl9254 said:
    I have now decided on doing the Inspection and testing 2391 course too widen my skills, but does this mean i wont be able to re wire houses but just inspect and test them??

    And if so will the Part P course mean i can re-wire??

    Thanks.
    Click to expand...

    Carl, have you done any research into this yourself. I'm getting the feeling you're not an electrician. Youve done 17th edition and are planning to do 2391 and part P.
    Part P only relates to small domestic installs.
    2391 requires you to have a level of electrical knowledge the same although I believe from a colleague that 17th edition is not so bad as earlier incarnations and people are coming out as electricians.

    I agree set yourself up as an installer and the work will come flooding in if your good, offer PAT testing as a sideline as that is so cutthroat and not many companies make a good living out of it as its pretty sewn up now. Keep abreast of what changes are coming in and your young enough train and capitalise on those.Sub contract yourself to builders and other electrical firms.

    God luck mate and go for it.
     
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    C

    Carl9254

  • #20
    I am an electrician but ive worked in a factory for 6 years as a maintenance electrician straight out from school, so im just confused about which courses i will need to help me become an electrician for installs etc, but your reply has cleared it up a bit so thanks. I will book myself on the part p and the 2391 and give it my best shot.

    Thanks.
     
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