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The Best PAT Tester
Jamie Wood • 13 January 2020
The Best PAT Tester?
Price
It was always going to be top of the list, but maybe not for the same reason you thought. You see, getting the cheapest deal sounds like an easy thing to look for, except different PAT Testing companies, charge very differently. Some will charge a day rate for labour, possibly by adding on the cost of labels, and this will generally be quite comparable to other trades. The usual issues arise though, is it really going to take all day? Maybe half a day? Will it be dragged out to cover half a day? If this is what you are going for, make sure you are happy with the estimated time of the job, and a price is agreed before hand. Things may arise that slow down the job, so make sure you understand how the cost may rise if this happens.
The next pricing structure is per testing per item, and is probably the most widely accepted way of doing things. Again, this comes with things to consider. How much should an item cost to test? Prices vary greatly, for many different reasons. Somewhere between £0.60 and £2.00 is a good guide, but we've seen lower and much higher prices quoted. If you have a few items to test, expect to pay towards the top end of this guide. If you have thousands of items to test, you'll be looking for the bottom end. This won't be the end of the costs though. Are there charges for call outs, site surveys, plug repairs, re-tests and others? Remember to ask. The lowest price per item will not always be lowest quote.
A third pricing option exists, similar to how we quote at Purplewood PAT Testers. That is to have an initial inclusive fee for a set amount of products, and then a cost per item over the set amount. The reason we use this method is that the end cost of the job is generally much closer to the price quoted. Not always the exact price as things do happen during testing, and under estimating the number of items to be tested is much more common than getting it right. This method of pricing allows for that to some degree, and if there is a big difference, it's much easier to look at the next package up and make clients aware of how the price will change from the quote. This is something we will be looking at on another day, but concludes why price is our first consideration.
Location
Two options here, local or national. National companies are usually better known with higher prices, with local companies offering cheaper rates for the work. This can be said of most service or product providers. Still, if going local, look further away than you thought you should. There are many 'local companies' willing to travel further to find work. Officially, Purplewood PAT Testers cover, Sussex, Brighton, Kent and London - But would go much further if the size of the job is appropriate. The further we go, the less likely it is we'll be the cheapest quote, but we're willing to try and so are many other companies.
Availability
Possibly the least thought of consideration before booking. When do you need your PAT Testing to be done? When is it due? The key here is to book as far in advance as you can. Obvious? Apparently not. We get many last minute bookings here at Purplewood PAT Testers and whilst we will accommodate as many as we can, we cannot fit them all in. Set yourself a reminder, 2 months in advance is a good guide to ensure you can get the PAT Testing company you want, when you want them.
Ratings
Everyone looks for good ratings, at least we think so. The critical thing here though, is not the number, but whats written. I'm as guilty as anyone for this, but taking a quick look at the numbers, 5/5 for example, will not necessarily mean anything. PAT Testing is a very common service, offered by not just PAT Testing businesses, but electrical companies and electricians. With this being the case, take the time to look at the reviews carefully to ensure that 5/5 review is actually for PAT Testing rather than other offered services.
Reputation
Are you choosing a reputable business? Check to see if the business you are considering are members of trade organisations or associations. Purplewood PAT Testers, for example, are members of PATTA (Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association), but there are others. Do a little research and make sure.
All in all, the main thing to take away from this blog is that, whilst we hope you'll consider Purplewood PAT Testers, you simply take the time to ensure you are getting the best deal for your business. Now, just to repeat, this is our first ever blog post, so please be kind in the comments. Obviously there are other considerations to think about, we haven't listed them all, but do let us know what you think.
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You'll be seeing our name subtly change moving forward as our services start to extend on PAT Testing. More on the new services will be announced in due course.
You've read it, heard it and said it more than a thousand times in the last week, but we really are in unprecedented times. Before anything else, we want to wish every one of you the very best of health and hope that you can stay healthy in these most uncertain of times. We here at Purplewood Electrical have our eyes glued on developments but importantly, we are still working. There are many small businesses who will be worried about surviving, just like ourselves, but our hearts go out to you all. On Friday, 20th March, the PAT Testing Trade Association sent an open letter regarding PAT testing, which you can see in full below. Please take a moment to read through it. You may now be working from home, or be one of a few that are still going in, but the result of this means PAT Testing can be carried out at the workplace without interrupting your day to day activities. Unless we are told otherwise, we will be still be working and still visiting clients. We will follow any COVID-19 stipulations you may make - temperature tests, masks, anti-bac hand gel, gloves, we don't mind, we will prioritise your health and ours. We are a small business, very small in fact, but with BIG plans to be so much more. We have an opportunity to continue trading currently, and aim to make the most of it all the time we can. To do so though, we still need enquiries and new clients. If you know your PAT Testing is due, please do give us a call on 01323 707808 or email info@purplewood.co.uk and we'll be happy to help. PAT Testing is about keeping people safe and it shouldn't be ignored. We understand it might not seem like a priority currently, but at a time when keeping people healthy is at the forefront, it should be a reminder as to how important it is. We're also busy working on ways to help make it easier for both businesses and landlords to get their PAT testing done and hope to announce something more on this in the coming days. Normally, our communications are signed off with #StayPATSafe but, for the time being, we'd like to simplify it and extend it to everyone, not just those who read this. #StaySafe
New PAT Testing Services For HMOs. Annual HMO PAT Testing Paid Monthly With 'PAT HMO - Monthly'. Other NEW Packages Available. Website Upgrades.
Purplewood PAT Testers are delighted to announce that we will be a shirt sponsor at the Country Oak Barns Charity Cup 2020. This great charity football match on Sunday, April 26th, features a host of celebrities and will be raising money for not one but two amazing charities. Both the Williams Syndrome Foundation and the Evelina London hospital will benefit from the money raised. Please get down to Crowborough Community Stadium, Crowborough East Sussex, from 11:30AM on the day to help support these great causes - and have a great time to boot! For more information, including how to get tickets, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/683469585519653/
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Purplewood PAT Testers is a trading name for Purplewood Electrical.
Business Address:
41 The Crossways, Stone Cross,
Pevensey,
East Sussex
BN24 5EJ
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