Starting a Test and Tag Business – Your Guide to Getting Set Up Right
Get Trained Before You Test
Before anything else, you need to be competent. That’s not a suggestion — it’s a requirement under AS/NZS 3760:2022. Understanding the standard, knowing how to perform a proper visual inspection, and being confident with the testing process are non-negotiable foundations. Cutting corners here doesn’t just put your clients at risk, it puts your entire reputation on the line before you’ve even built one.
Metrotest offers both in-person and online training courses designed around AS/NZS 3760:2022. Our courses are practical and taught by people who actually test — not just teach — so you come away with skills that translate directly to the field.
Understand the main test and tag standard: the AS/NZS3760
Make sure you purchase a copy of the last version of the standard, the AS/NZS 3760: 2022. Ensure you are familiar with it and what is best practice for testing, what information is required on a tag, test timeframes and test values of test and tag. It will be well worth it understand and implement the standard correctly.
You may also want to look into the AS/NZS 3012, if you are looking at doing testing on construction sites.
Invest in the Right Equipment from the Start
Your PAT tester is the backbone of the business. Choosing the wrong one — or going too cheap — can cost you time on every single job and limit the types of work you can take on. You need a tester that performs real safety tests, works efficiently across high volumes, and gives you room to grow.
The Metro iPAT is purpose-built for test and tag operators running a business. It was designed around the needs of AS/NZS 3760 by a nationwide test and tag company with over 3 decades of experience— not adapted from a generic platform. Its full-colour touch screen makes for fast and efficient testing and data input, without needing additional devices or paper-based systems. The system is all hardwired, no need for wireless connection to a tablet to use a printer. With a standard memory of 1,000,000 tests, high-current earth bond testing, RCD testing (including ramp test), and a truly flexible operating system, it’s built for operators who are doing this every day.
Think About Systems, Not Just Tools
If you’re planning to grow — and you should be — then how you record and report your test data matters just as much as the testing itself. Some clients will expect detailed reports with actual test readings, timestamps, and auditable records. A manual logbook won’t cut it if you’re offering test and tag as a professional service.
As you will be a third-party provider, you want to ensure you are actually doing testing in accordance with best practice, which includes keeping numerical results.
The Metro iPAT SupaPAT is the complete package for operators who want everything working together from day one. It comes as a full setup with the Metro iPAT, a thermal transfer printer, scanner, and SimplyPATs software — all in a purpose-built carry bag. You test, the results are captured, the tags print, and the records are stored. No stitching together separate systems, no gaps in your data. For anyone serious about running a test and tag business professionally, this is the setup that removes the guesswork.
Think About Systems, Not Just Tools
If you’re planning to grow — and you should be — then how you record and report your test data matters just as much as the testing itself. Some clients will expect detailed reports with actual test readings, timestamps, and auditable records. A manual logbook won’t cut it if you’re offering test and tag as a professional service.
As you will be a third-party provider, you want to ensure you are actually doing testing in accordance with best practice, which includes keeping numerical results.
The Metro iPAT SupaPAT is the complete package for operators who want everything working together from day one. It comes as a full setup with the Metro iPAT, a thermal transfer printer, scanner, and SimplyPATs software — all in a purpose-built carry bag. You test, the results are captured, the tags print, and the records are stored. No stitching together separate systems, no gaps in your data. For anyone serious about running a test and tag business professionally, this is the setup that removes the guesswork.
Brand Your Tags
One thing that often gets overlooked when people are starting out is the value of branded test tags. Every tag you put on an appliance is a small advertisement for your business — the client sees it, tenants see it, other contractors see it. If you are not starting with a printer, custom printed labels with your company name and logo make your work look professional and keep your name in front of potential new clients long after you’ve left the site.
Something people often don’t think about is putting a clients logo with your logo on the tag. The Metro iPAT allows you to store multiple logos within the PAT which means you can switch between your customers without much downtime that other systems would have.
Build Your Client Base Steadily
Getting your name out there matters. A simple, clear website that outlines your services is essential — without it, clients may not take you seriously. Beyond that, partnering with local businesses, asking for referrals from satisfied clients, and even branding your work vehicle all help build visibility. Google Ads targeting your local area can be effective early on without blowing your budget. Start with the basics and reinvest as the business grows.
Make sure you with your website design that it is scalable for devices like phones and is clean – get some authentic images on your website of your testing and ask for customer reviews to add to build trustworthiness.
The Data – and Invoicing
Once you have done the testing, have you thought about the data and how to bill out to the customer. You want to ensure you are giving reports to customers and ensuring they have numerical results. This can be a time consuming part of the job so ensure that you factor this in as it can be easy to underestimate it and how long it takes.
There are many PAT software’s out there and a great thing is many have a free versions out there to try so it pays to explore options. As a recommendation, often a software built around multiple PATs or brands allows for more advanced features and gives more flexibility of what it can achieve.
Enquire
Ready to get set up? Talk to the Metrotest team about training, equipment, and everything you need to start your test and tag business the right way:
0800 638 768
info@metrotest.training
