PIR Practice & Approx Costings

Bornagainsparky · Oct 6, 2009

I know that nobody likes talking about costings and of course prices vary region to region however I have been asked by my local council if I would like to be included on their lists to carry out PIR's where the average cost is £80 now I know that I couldn't operate at such a cost (I could but it would be suicide and I would certainly have to cut corners) As you all know, to carry out a full and proper PIR can be time consuming but on speaking to some Electricians they test the minimal, Visual, RCD,Zs and PFC at Board possibly at a Socket and that is it, less than 1 hours work, I could do that for £80 but I charge £28.50 per hour and it takes what it takes because I go through the full test procedure.

OK so they are prepared to put their name in the frame for £80 and probably carry out 2-3 or even 4 inspections a day on this basis and therefore not a bad earner but I would be worried about any comebacks if I were to do this. If I spend a full day including travelling I would earn £228, not every day I hasten to add and rarely do I but potentially I could.

After this long winded intro I wonder am I charging too much, are the aforementioned charging and doing too little, or is it a horses for courses situation, any feedback welcomed

Mac · Oct 6, 2009

Hi Bornagainsparky and welcome to the forum

Everybody knows what local councils are like,they will try and find the cheapest way to do anything.At the end of the day mate,not trying to put you off,but it's your name on the cert.I personally don't do any PIRs or testing as yet,maybe someone will come along later and give you more advice.

castlon11 · Oct 6, 2009

I do PIR as a contractor for the council who pays my company £240 each test. We carry out all area's of inspection and testing, this usually takes about half a day. Make sure you read the fine print on the first page of your PIR or EIC as it states that loft, underground (eg. cellars), under floorboards and cables concealed in conduit, trunking or other do no have to be inspected in this test. Also with PIRs you can do what testing you want and wherever you want, as long as it is stated clearly what and where you are testing. If you state on you PIR your testing the whole installation and dont, it will come back and bite you on the bum at some point in the future.

As far as money is concerned:
If they are poor leave them some more, if they are rich make it a stitch.