--- title: "Electrical testing and certificates in Colchester — Lighting Electrical" description: "PAT testing, minor works certificates and emergency lighting tests. See published prices and what paperwork you receive." canonical: "https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/testing-and-certificates" last_updated: "2026-08-05T08:29:55.282Z" --- # Electrical testing and certificates in Colchester — Lighting Electrical > PAT testing, minor works certificates and emergency lighting tests. See published prices and what paperwork you receive. PAT testing, minor works certificates and emergency lighting testing for landlords, employers and letting agents. ## What testing costs Each type of testing is priced separately because the work is different. Where several are needed at one property they are combined into a single visit. - PAT testing: £95 - Minor works certificate: £95 - Emergency lighting test & certificate: £150 - Quotes are free and there is no call-out charge. - PAT testing is priced per visit rather than per item for small quantities. Larger inventories are quoted after a count. - Certificates are issued as digital copies you can forward to an agent or insurer. - Repairs found during testing are quoted separately, never carried out unagreed. ## Which test you actually need These get confused often, and buying the wrong one wastes money. - **PAT testing:** Covers portable appliances that plug in: kettles, tools, computers, extension leads. - **Minor works certificate:** Covers an alteration or addition to an existing circuit, such as a new socket or light. - **Emergency lighting test:** Covers the escape lighting in a commercial or communal building and its duration under battery. - **EICR:** Covers the fixed wiring of the whole property. That is a separate service with its own page. ## What testing covers Each test type is carried out to its own method and recorded on its own certificate. ### Included in the test - Visual inspection followed by instrument testing - Labelling of items where the test type calls for it - A digital certificate or register of results - A plain explanation of anything that failed and why - Advice on retest intervals for your situation ### Not included automatically - Repairs to items that fail - Replacement appliances, luminaires or batteries - Fixed wiring inspection, which is an EICR - Fire alarm system certification, which is separate ## How testing works Testing goes faster when items are accessible and the building is quiet. 1. **Agree the inventory:** A rough count of appliances, or the number of emergency luminaires, sets the time needed. 2. **Inspect, then test:** Most failures are found by eye before an instrument is used at all. 3. **Record results:** Every item tested is recorded, pass or fail, with the reading behind it. 4. **Issue the certificate:** You receive a digital copy the same day where possible. ## What you receive The paperwork is the product here, so it is written to be handed straight to whoever asked for it. - **A certificate or register:** Formatted so an agent, employer or insurer can accept it without follow-up. - **Clear fail reasons:** Anything that failed is explained in plain words, not just a code. - **A retest date:** A sensible next interval for your building and its use. ## Testing questions Clear answers before you request a quote. ### Is PAT testing a legal requirement? The law requires electrical equipment to be maintained in a safe condition. PAT testing is the usual way employers and landlords demonstrate that, but the law names the outcome, not the method. ### How often should appliances be tested? It depends on the equipment and the environment. Site tools need it far more often than an office computer, and a sensible interval is advised for yours. ### What is the difference between a minor works certificate and an EICR? A minor works certificate covers one alteration you have just had done. An EICR reports on the condition of the whole fixed installation. ### Do you test emergency lighting to full duration? Yes, where an annual duration test is required. Say beforehand so the building can be arranged around it. ### Can you test outside working hours? Yes, and for shops and offices that is often easier. ### What happens if something fails? It is labelled, recorded and taken out of use, then you decide whether to repair or replace. Repairs are quoted separately. ## Business facts - Based: 12 Rangoon Close, Colchester, CO2 9RH - Service area: Colchester, Witham, Maldon, Wivenhoe, Tiptree, Kelvedon, West Mersea, Stanway, Brightlingsea, Coggeshall, Marks Tey - Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00–17:00 - Phone: +447414545781 - Email: team@lightingelectrical.co.uk ## Request a quote - [Start a request](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/#chat): Send the job details and postcode to Lighting Electrical. ## Related pages - [EICR](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/eicr): EICR testing in Colchester. - [Fire and smoke alarm installation](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/fire-and-smoke-alarms): Fire and smoke alarms in Colchester. - [Socket and switch installation](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/sockets-and-switches): Sockets and switches in Colchester. - [Electrical Fault Finding & Repair](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/electrical-fault-finding): Electrical fault finding in Colchester. - [Full sitemap](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/sitemap.md): Complete machine-readable page directory.