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Outsourcing PAT Testing: A Guide for Facilities Managers

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Outsourcing PAT testing works best when the scope is clear before anyone books a date. For a facilities manager, the decision includes staff time, equipment knowledge, access to rooms and the records needed afterwards.

This guide helps you compare delivery options. If you already know you need an external provider, see AiO’s PAT testing service or speak to AiO about a tailored quote.

Compare the whole job

Question	In-house delivery	External provider
Who will do the work?	Identify competent staff and time away from their usual duties.	Check the provider’s relevant competence and experience.
What needs organising?	Equipment, records, training and the inspection/testing schedule.	A clear brief, site contact, access and agreed shutdowns.
How are costs compared?	Include staff time, equipment upkeep and administration.	Compare the full scope, attendance, extras and any revisit charges.
Who follows up?	Nominate someone to act on faults and unavailable items.	Agree how the provider reports these; retain a named internal owner.

Neither option is automatically cheaper or more suitable. Compare like-for-like work and what the records let your team do afterwards.

Write a brief that can be priced

List the addresses and give an approximate equipment count for each site.
Identify detachable mains leads and power supplies separately. Use our appliance-counting guide.
Flag industrial plugs, 110V equipment, restricted areas and any specialist equipment.
State whether you want additional microwave leakage tests. These are separate from the appliance’s electrical inspection and testing.
Provide preferred dates, working hours, parking and any induction or safeguarding requirements.

Keep responsibility clear

Using a contractor does not transfer all of an organisation’s health and safety responsibilities. Agree who provides site information, authorises disconnection and deals with failed equipment. HSE’s contractor guidance explains why selection, coordination and supervision still matter.

Ask how unavailable equipment is recorded. A locked room, an absent laptop charger or equipment that cannot be disconnected needs a recorded next step; it should not quietly disappear from the plan.

Check the reporting before booking

Request an example before comparing prices. Can your team identify an item, its location and result, then find the corresponding label? Agree any existing asset-number conventions and required file format before the visit. You can see our example reports and appliance labels.

Arrange the right type of enquiry

AiO Pro PAT Testing works from Christchurch across the South and South West. For a single workplace, use the quote calculator. For an estate, send the site list and read our multi-site planning guide. Dates, travel, scope and reporting requirements are confirmed before booking.

If you are delivering a contract for your own client, use the subcontract enquiry route so we can discuss the specification and responsibilities with you.

Plan your PAT testing

Enter your postcode and appliance count for an instant estimate. For several sites or a larger job, ask us for a tailored quote.