Mobile PAT testing for local businesses
Visit small businesses, schools and landlords to test portable appliances and give them a certificate.
- £500-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
44 active UK companies have “pat testing” in their name, 45% registered since 2024
Name search “company names containing “pat testing””. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Visiting premises with a PAT tester to inspect and test portable electrical appliances such as kettles, lamps, laptops chargers and extension leads. Each item is labelled, and the client gets a record of the results.
Your first three steps
- Take a PAT testing course from a recognised training provider and check what level of electrical knowledge you need
- Buy a PAT tester, labels and record-keeping software, then arrange insurance
- Contact local landlords, letting agents and small businesses with a simple price per item and minimum visit charge
Who pays
Small offices, shops, salons, pubs, schools, village halls, landlords and letting agents.
How it makes money
Price per item tested, often with a minimum call-out charge, plus repeat annual or two-yearly visits from clients who want to keep records up to date.
Skills that help
- Careful and methodical
- Basic electrical understanding
- Clear record keeping
- Friendly customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, check what your insurer expects
- PAT testing is not usually a legal requirement in itself, so be clear and honest with clients about what they actually need
- Keep your tester calibrated and records accurate, and know when to refer faulty items or wiring to a qualified electrician
- Work only within your training and competence
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile PAT testing for local businesses
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
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