How much does PAT testing cost per appliance in 2026?

PAT testing typically costs between £1 and £3 per appliance in 2026, depending on volume. For small jobs (under 20 items), expect to pay £2 to £3 per appliance plus a call-out charge of £50 to £80. For larger jobs (50+ items), the per-appliance cost drops to £1 to £1.50. Some PAT testing companies offer fixed-price packages — for example, up to 50 appliances for £80 to £120, or up to 100 appliances for £120 to £200.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement?

PAT testing itself is not specifically required by law. However, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Regulation 4) require that all electrical systems and equipment are maintained to prevent danger. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 also places a general duty on employers to ensure the safety of employees and others. PAT testing is the most widely accepted method of demonstrating compliance with these duties. Landlords, employers, and organisations open to the public are expected to have portable appliances tested at appropriate intervals.

Who can carry out PAT testing?

There is no legal requirement for PAT testing to be carried out by a qualified electrician. The IET Code of Practice states that a "competent person" should carry out the testing — someone who has the knowledge, training, and experience to perform the tests safely and interpret the results correctly. In practice, many electricians offer PAT testing as an additional service, and dedicated PAT testing companies employ trained operatives. A one-day PAT testing training course is widely available.

How often should PAT testing be done?

Testing frequency depends on the type of equipment, the environment, and the risk. The IET Code of Practice provides suggested intervals: office IT equipment (desktops, monitors) every 4 to 5 years; portable equipment in offices (kettles, phone chargers) every 2 to 3 years; equipment on construction sites every 3 months; commercial kitchen equipment every 12 months; and equipment in schools and hospitals every 12 months. A formal risk assessment should determine the actual frequency for each environment.

What equipment do I need for PAT testing?

A PAT tester is the primary piece of equipment. Entry-level testers (such as the Megger PAT120) cost around £300 to £400 and perform basic earth continuity and insulation resistance tests. Mid-range testers (such as the Megger PAT420 or Seaward PrimeTest 250+) cost £500 to £800 and offer automatic test sequences, data storage, and Bluetooth connectivity for label printing. You also need PAT labels (pass and fail), a logbook or digital record system, and basic hand tools for visual inspection.

What is the difference between Class I and Class II appliances?

Class I appliances have basic insulation and rely on an earth connection for safety — if a fault occurs, the earth path allows a protective device (fuse or RCD) to disconnect the supply. Examples include kettles, toasters, and desktop computers with metal cases. Class II appliances have double or reinforced insulation and do not require an earth connection — they are marked with the double-square symbol. Examples include phone chargers, laptop power supplies, and many power tools. PAT testing procedures differ: Class I appliances require an earth continuity test, while Class II do not.

Do landlords need PAT testing?

While there is no specific legal requirement for landlords to PAT test appliances in residential lettings, landlords have a duty of care under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to ensure that any electrical appliances they provide are safe. If you supply appliances as part of a furnished let (washing machine, fridge, kettle, etc.), having them PAT tested at appropriate intervals demonstrates that duty of care and provides evidence in the event of a claim.

What happens if an appliance fails a PAT test?

If an appliance fails a PAT test, it must be taken out of service immediately and labelled as failed. The appliance should be repaired by a competent person and retested, or it should be disposed of. A failed PAT label (typically red) should be attached to the appliance to prevent it being used. The failure should be recorded in the PAT testing register. Common reasons for failure include damaged cables, loose earth connections, high insulation resistance readings, and cracked or damaged casings.

COST GUIDE

PAT Testing Cost: UK Price Guide 2026

How much does PAT testing cost? From small offices to large commercial premises, this guide covers realistic 2026 pricing, legal requirements, testing frequency, and what every PAT test involves — whether you are a business owner needing testing or an electrician offering it as a service.

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10 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key takeaways

01PAT testing typically costs between £1 and £3 per appliance, with minimum call-out charges of £50 to £80 for small jobs. The per-item cost decreases significantly with volume.
02PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself, but the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to ensure all electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition — PAT testing is the most practical way to demonstrate compliance.
03The IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th Edition, 2020) provides guidance on testing methods, frequencies, and pass/fail criteria.
04Common PAT tests include earth continuity, insulation resistance, and functional checks. Class I appliances (earthed) require earth continuity testing; Class II appliances (double insulated) do not.
05For electricians, PAT testing is a profitable add-on service with low overheads — a quality PAT tester costs £300 to £800 and pays for itself within a few jobs.

01 · Cost Guide

What Is PAT Testing?

PAT testing — Portable Appliance Testing — is the process of inspecting and testing portable electrical equipment to check it is safe to use. It involves a visual inspection of the appliance, cable, and plug, followed by electrical tests using a dedicated PAT tester.

The term "PAT testing" is widely used across the UK, though technically it is a tautology (the "T" already stands for "testing"). The process is guided by the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, now in its 5th Edition (2020).

PAT testing applies to any electrical appliance that has a plug and can be moved — kettles, computers, power tools, phone chargers, extension leads, and much more. It is distinct from fixed installation testing (covered by EICRs), which tests the permanent wiring in a building.

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02 · Cost Guide

Cost Breakdown

PAT testing costs vary based on the number of appliances, the location, and whether you use an independent tester or a national company. Here are realistic 2026 prices:

1 to 20 appliances — £80 to £120 total (including call-out). Effectively £4 to £6 per appliance. Suitable for small offices, home-based businesses, and small shops.
20 to 50 appliances — £80 to £150 total. Per-appliance cost: £2 to £3. Typical for medium offices, salons, and small workshops.
50 to 100 appliances — £120 to £200 total. Per-appliance cost: £1.50 to £2. Typical for larger offices, schools, and retail premises.
100 to 500 appliances — £1 to £1.50 per appliance. Large offices, warehouses, and multi-site contracts.
500+ appliances — £0.80 to £1.20 per appliance. Large commercial contracts, hospitals, universities, and factory environments.

Prices include visual inspection, electrical testing, labelling (pass/fail), and a certificate or register of results.

03 · Cost Guide

Pricing Models

PAT testing companies and individual electricians use several pricing models:

Per Appliance

The most common model. A fixed price per appliance tested, typically with a minimum call-out charge. Simple and transparent for both parties. Prices: £1 to £3 per item depending on volume.

Fixed Package

A fixed price for a set number of appliances — for example, "up to 50 appliances for £100" or "up to 100 appliances for £180". Good for customers who know roughly how many appliances they have.

Day Rate

For large sites, some testers charge a day rate of £200 to £350 per day. A competent tester can test 100 to 200 appliances per day depending on the type and location of equipment.

Annual Contract

Multi-site businesses often agree annual contracts with a PAT testing company. This provides scheduled testing, consistent record-keeping, and often a discounted per-appliance rate.

04 · Cost Guide

What Gets Tested

PAT testing involves two stages: a visual inspection and electrical tests.

Visual Inspection

Cable and plug condition — checking for damage, cuts, kinks, or exposed conductors
Plug wiring — correct connections, appropriate fuse rating, cable grip secure
Appliance condition — casing damage, ventilation blocked, signs of overheating
Suitability for the environment — appropriate IP rating for wet or dusty conditions

Electrical Tests

Earth continuity (Class I only) — verifies a low-resistance path from the earth pin of the plug to all exposed metalwork. Pass: typically below 0.1 ohms plus the resistance of the cable.
Insulation resistance — measures the resistance of the insulation between live conductors and earth (Class I) or between live conductors and accessible parts (Class II). Pass: typically above 1 megohm.
Functional check — the appliance is switched on and checked for correct operation, unusual noises, overheating, or other signs of fault.

05 · Cost Guide

Who Needs PAT Testing?

Employers — the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to maintain all electrical equipment used by employees in a safe condition. PAT testing is the standard method.
Landlords — any electrical appliances supplied with a rental property (washing machine, cooker, kettle) should be PAT tested to demonstrate duty of care.
Schools and colleges — all portable electrical equipment should be tested regularly, typically annually.
Hospitality and retail — hotels, restaurants, shops, and pubs need PAT testing for insurance compliance and health and safety obligations.
Construction sites — portable tools and equipment on construction sites require testing every 3 months due to the harsh environment.
Churches, village halls, and community venues — any organisation that allows public use of electrical equipment should have PAT testing in place.

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06 · Cost Guide

Legal Requirements

PAT testing is not itself mandated by a specific law. However, several pieces of legislation create a duty to maintain electrical equipment safely, and PAT testing is the accepted way to demonstrate compliance:

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 — Regulation 4 requires that all electrical systems are maintained to prevent danger. This includes portable appliances.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — Section 2 places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) — Regulation 5 requires that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.
IET Code of Practice (5th Edition, 2020) — not legislation, but the industry-standard guide for in-service testing of portable equipment. It provides testing methods, suggested frequencies, and pass/fail criteria.

07 · Cost Guide

Testing Frequency

The IET Code of Practice provides suggested testing intervals based on equipment type and environment. These are guidelines, not legal requirements — a risk assessment should determine the actual frequency.

Construction sites — visual check weekly, combined inspection and test every 3 months.
Industrial and commercial kitchens — combined inspection and test every 12 months.
Hotels, schools, hospitals — combined inspection and test every 12 months for portable equipment.
Offices — IT equipment every 4 to 5 years; portable equipment (kettles, heaters) every 2 to 3 years.
Rental properties — at each change of tenancy and otherwise every 12 to 24 months for supplied appliances.

08 · Cost Guide

For Electricians: PAT Testing as a Service

PAT testing is an excellent add-on service for electricians. The overheads are low, the work is straightforward, and it provides recurring revenue from commercial clients. Here is how to get started:

Equipment Investment

A mid-range PAT tester (Megger PAT420, Seaward PrimeTest 250+) costs £500 to £800. It pays for itself within 2 to 3 jobs. Add a label printer (£100 to £200) for professional pass/fail labels.

Pricing Strategy

Charge £1.50 to £3 per appliance with a minimum of £80. A 100-appliance office at £1.50 each gives £150 for approximately 3 hours of work — £50/hour before overheads. Target annual contracts for recurring revenue. Use the quoting app for professional quotes.

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