PAT testing is usually priced per item, with a minimum charge for small jobs — which makes the total easy to estimate once you know roughly how many appliances you have. Here’s what it costs in 2026 and how to get a fair price.

The typical rates

PAT pricing has two parts:

• Per item: roughly £1–£3 per appliance, dropping with volume. Smaller jobs sit nearer £1.25–£2; larger jobs often fall to around £1 per item.
• Minimum charge: for small jobs, typically £40–£60 call-out, often including the first 10 or so items.
• London premium: expect the higher end — London per-item rates run noticeably above the national average.

Some typical packaged examples seen in the market: around £55 for up to ~10 items, or around £89 for up to ~30 items, then a per-item rate beyond that.

How volume changes the price

The per-item rate falls as quantity rises — testing 200 items is far cheaper per item than testing 15, because the electrician’s travel and setup time is spread across more appliances. If you have a lot to test, you’re getting better value per item.

What affects your total

• Number of appliances — the main driver
• Location — London and the South East cost more
• Item type — mostly standard, but IT leads, extension leads, and fixed-but-portable equipment all count
• Access and downtime — testing around a working business may add time
• Labelling and certification — should be included; check it is

What you should get for the price

A proper PAT service includes:

• Inspection and electrical testing of each appliance
• Pass/fail labelling on every item
• A register/report of items tested (for insurers and compliance)
• Advice on a sensible re-test interval

If a quote doesn’t include the labelling and report, it’s not complete — those are the bits that evidence your compliance.

Is PAT testing legally required?

There’s no fixed legal interval for PAT. The law requires you to keep electrical equipment safe, and PAT is the standard, evidenced way to do it — which is why insurers and many clients expect it. Frequency should be risk-based: a busy kitchen or workshop more often than a quiet office.

Getting a fair price

• Estimate your item count before asking for quotes — it makes comparison easy.
• Ask what’s included — labelling and a report should be standard.
• Bundle premises or sites for a better per-item rate.
• Schedule around quiet periods to avoid downtime.

Get a PAT testing quote

For clear, fair-priced PAT testing across East London — with labelling, a full report, and honest advice on intervals — GFL Electrical are your local NICEIC electricians. See our PAT testing service or call 020 3774 5604.