If you're researching PAT testing, one of your first questions is almost certainly the price. The honest answer is that PAT testing costs vary a great deal — from a few pence per appliance in a large volume contract to several pounds per appliance for small, one-off jobs.
This guide gives you typical market ranges so you can budget realistically, explains the factors that move the price up or down, and compares the two ways to run PAT testing: contracted out or in-house.
About these figures
The ranges below are indicative UK market figures for budgeting purposes. Actual quotes vary with region, tester, volume, access, and equipment type. Always get written quotes before committing.
Typical per-item rates
Contractors generally price per appliance, sometimes with a minimum call-out charge. Indicative ranges for 2026:
| Scenario | Typical rate per item | What this usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Large contract, high volume (500+ items) | £0.50 – £1.50 | Volumes make site visits and handling cheap per item |
| Mid-size job (100–500 items) | £1.00 – £2.50 | Standard commercial and office premises |
| Small job (under 100 items) | £1.50 – £3.00+ | Often plus a call-out fee to cover the visit |
| Single appliance / one-off visit | £3.00 – £6.00 | Minimum charges apply; testing a single kettle is rarely worth a trip |
| Specialist / high-risk equipment | £3.00 – £10.00 | Medical, industrial, or unusual equipment needing extra time or skills |
What affects the price?
- Volume — the single biggest factor. More items means lower cost per item because travel and setup are spread across more appliances.
- Travel and call-out — many contractors charge a call-out fee, or have a minimum charge, so distance matters.
- Location of items — appliances scattered across floors or in multiple buildings take longer to reach than one tidy room.
- Access — equipment behind desks, in ceiling voids, or on racks slows testers down.
- Documentation — certificates, reports, and asset registers take time to produce; digital reports can be cheaper than paper-heavy services.
- Repairs — failed items need re-testing after repair, which is usually quoted separately.
- Region — rates tend to be higher in and around major cities.
In-house testing: the real cost
For any business that tests regularly — hire companies, venues, contractors, facilities teams — in-house testing usually works out dramatically cheaper per item than contracting out. The real cost is made of three parts:
1. The tester
A decent PAT tester costs from roughly £150 for a basic unit up to £1,000+ for a professional multi-function tester with data memory. Budget units get the job done; professional units speed up testing and transfer results digitally.
2. Training
A tester must be a competent person. In-house teams typically take a recognised PAT testing course, often with a practical assessment. Course costs vary by provider and location, and many find it worthwhile to keep certification current.
3. Administration
This is the hidden cost. Someone has to record results, generate certificates, print labels, schedule retests, and prove compliance. Done on paper or in spreadsheets this absorbs real hours; done with software it's largely automatic.
Compare the numbers: a contractor charging £2 per item on a 500-appliance site costs £1,000 per visit. The same site tested in-house by a trained team member, with the purchase of a tester and software spread over years, typically costs a fraction of that per cycle.
What does PAT testing software cost?
Software removes the administration cost and is often what makes in-house testing viable. NETS PAT pricing is straightforward:
- Free plan — £0/month. 50 assets, 100 tests a month, one engineer. Enough to see how it works.
- Solo — £9/month (£90/year). 300 assets, 600 tests a month, for a single engineer.
- Starter — £19/month (£190/year). 1,000 assets, 2,500 tests a month, for small teams.
- Professional — £49/month (£490/year). 5,000 assets, unlimited tests, white-label certificates.
- Enterprise — £149/month (£1,490/year). Unlimited assets, full white-label, priority support.
Pay annually and get 2 months free — you pay for 10 months and we bill you once a year. Compare any of these against the per-item cost of one contract visit and the payback period is usually short. See the full pricing page for complete details.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PAT test cost for one appliance?
For a single appliance you're typically looking at £3–£6, and realistically a minimum call-out charge applies. Small single-item jobs are where contractors are least economical — which is why one-off landlords often ask a friendly local electrician or use a tester themselves.
Is PAT testing cheaper in-house?
Almost always, if you test regularly. The upfront cost of a tester plus training is quickly recovered, especially once software removes the admin burden.
Do I need to pay for software?
No — the free NETS PAT plan covers 50 assets and 100 tests a month at £0. Paid plans add volume, PDF certificates, and white-label branding.
How often will I pay?
It depends on your retest intervals. An office at 2-year intervals pays a testing bill every two years; a hire company on 3-month intervals pays four times a year. See our intervals guide.
Are there hidden costs?
Watch for call-out charges, re-testing of failed items, and any charge for certificates or reports. Ask for a written quote that states exactly what's included.
Price your own testing in minutes
With the free NETS PAT plan you can cost and run a pilot of in-house testing with zero software spend. Create a free account or compare plans.