PAT stands for portable appliance testing, and refers to the regular checking of electrical equipment to ensure it is safe to use.
A quick search through Google will tell you that there are a lot of PAT testing companies out there, all offering prices as low as possible. It’s no surprise that a lot of people believe it’s very difficult to be a tester in such a crowded market place, when some companies are offering per-item testing for less than a pound.
What’s Your USP?
Fortunately, there is always room in the market for those who can offer an excellent service, which is why it really is still possible for you to run your own business. You might not be able to hire many members of staff to cover numerous places like used to be the case, but you can still certainly work as a sole trader or with a couple of employees.
There are a lot of concerns among reputable businesses that some PAT testing companies simply show up and stick some stickers onto appliances without actually giving them a thorough check. Conscientious companies want to know that they’re getting the care and attention that proper electrical maintenance deserves and requires. While a lot simply want the PAT certificate to show their insurers, many genuinely care about the safety of their employees, and it’s difficult to be sure that testers are doing a good job when prices are ridiculously low.
If you’re looking to set yourself up as a PAT tester, then it’s going to be small and medium sized businesses that you want to target. These are the customers that are more likely to see the process as a valuable part of health and safety, and are therefore more likely to be willing to pay extra for good service. You’re unlikely to be able to compete with larger testing companies on price, as they can use economies of scale, but you should certainly be able to beat them in terms of service.
Tip: Try your local high street as a source of customers.
Going on a PAT course is clearly essential, and you’ll also need the different testing tools to be able to thoroughly check electricals. Companies such as PASS will have everything you need to set yourself up, including guides on having liability insurance.