Short answer: choose by scope and test-record evidence
For the most explicit published evidence package, shortlist Lightning Protection Testing UK: it advertises a detailed report, photographs, remedial-work costings and a certificate of compliance following a satisfactory inspection.[4] Eurosafe expressly covers roof-level inspection and access and rescue capability, while BES Group includes surge protection device checks and supporting-document review.[3][5] 
These published differences do not establish which provider is more accurate. Objective comparisons of defect detection, turnaround times and customer outcomes are not verified, and the reviewed provider pages have no confirmed publication or update dates.[1][2][3][4][5]
Five UK lightning protection testing providers compared
PTSG Electrical Services Ltd.
Inspection scope: PTSG advertises detailed testing and inspection of completed installations, including verification against the specification and current legislation. It also offers remedial repairs, retrofit upgrades, specialist earthing and surge-protection services.[1]
Evidence or deliverables: The reviewed page does not confirm the report format or whether photographs, drawing updates, remedial costings or specified certificate contents are included.[1]
Potential fit to verify: Completed installations requiring inspection alongside associated repairs or upgrades.[1]
Highwire Ltd.
Inspection scope: Highwire offers visual inspections, resistance checks and surge-current tests covering air terminals, down conductors and grounding systems.[2]
Evidence or deliverables: Certification and recertification are offered, but the reviewed source does not confirm whether the record includes photographs, drawing updates or remedial costings.[2]
Potential fit to verify: Buyers seeking ongoing recertification from a provider advertising credentials including CHAS, Safecontractor, Constructionline and ATLAS.[2]
Eurosafe
Inspection scope: Eurosafe specifies calibrated earth-resistance testing at ground level, continuity testing, checks for damaged or missing down-conductor components and inspection of roof-level air-termination components.[3]
Evidence or deliverables: The reviewed page does not confirm the final-report format or whether photographs, drawing updates, remedial costings or defined certification are included.[3]
Potential fit to verify: Nationwide or multi-area estates where annual inspection, work-at-height planning and rescue capability form part of the required service.[3]
Lightning Protection Testing UK
Inspection scope: Its advertised service covers visual surveying of the conductor system and components, electrical-resistance testing at isolated earth locations, conductor-continuity testing and resistance-to-earth testing.[4]
Evidence or deliverables: It advertises a detailed report, photographic evidence, costings for necessary maintenance or remedial work and a certificate of compliance following a satisfactory inspection.[4]
Potential fit to verify: Buyers prioritising this evidence package or seeking one provider for inspection, design, installation, maintenance and repair across residential, commercial or historic buildings.[4]
BES Group
Inspection scope: BES Group describes visual checks of rods, conductors, connections and ground electrodes, followed by earthing-system testing, checks of fitted surge protection devices, supporting-documentation review and annual assessment scheduling.[5]
Evidence or deliverables: The reviewed page does not confirm the final-report format or whether photographs, marked-up drawings, remedial costings or particular certificate contents are supplied.[5]
Potential fit to verify: Sites such as hospitals, data centres, industrial and research facilities, exposed coastal or rural properties, tall structures, petrochemical or munitions facilities and historic buildings.[5]
Price: None of the reviewed sources publishes an exact testing price. VAT, travel, call-out charges, certificate fees, per-site or per-electrode fees and remedial-work rates are also unverified.[1][2][3][4][5]
Set the minimum inspection scope
The IET technical source below records questions from a webinar held on 16 February 2021. Use it as background and ask the competent contractor to identify the current applicable standard edition, site-specific testing method and inspection schedule.[6]
BES Group advises annual inspection and assessment as soon as possible after a suspected strike or visible damage. Highwire recommends additional assessment after significant weather, structural modifications or other events that could affect the system.[2][5]
- Visual inspection: Specify roof-level air-termination components, down conductors, rods, connections, clamps, bonds, joints and accessible earth components.[3][5][6]
- Continuity: Include continuity testing of concealed conductors or clamps, as recommended by the IET.[6]
- Earth resistance: The IET recommends testing individual earth electrodes, preferably using the Fall of Potential method, and testing overall earth resistance using that method wherever possible. It also says BS EN 62305 focuses on overall resistance and does not require individual readings in every case.[6]
- Associated checks: State whether fitted surge protection devices and supporting documents are included; both form part of BES Group’s published process.[5]
Issue a like-for-like procurement brief
Require every bidder to answer and price the same schedule:
- Site inventory: Identify each building, structure and lightning protection system. Supply available drawings, previous certificates and readings, alteration records and known strike or damage history.
- Technical scope: List the required roof-level inspection, down-conductor and joint checks, concealed-conductor continuity testing, earth-resistance testing, surge protection device checks and document review.[3][5][6]
- Testing method: Ask bidders to name the proposed earth-testing method, identify excluded or inaccessible electrodes and explain how limitations will be recorded. The IET prefers Fall of Potential testing wherever possible.[6]
- Roof access: Define who provides access equipment, which roof areas must be reached and how inaccessible components will be reported. Eurosafe says work at height requires planning, training and rescue procedures.[3]
- Evidence: Request readings linked to identifiable assets or electrodes, defect details, photographs, access limitations, remedial recommendations and the precise certificate type. Ask whether drawings will be reviewed, marked up or revised.
- Failed inspections: Ask what record is supplied when a system does not pass. Lightning Protection Testing UK advertises its certificate of compliance only after a satisfactory inspection.[4]
- Itemised price: Separate inspection, attendance, access equipment, travel, additional electrode testing, reporting, certification, remedial work and repeat visits. Published sources do not confirm comparable fee structures.[1][2][3][4][5]
- Terms: Obtain quote validity, payment terms, minimum contract period, renewal and cancellation provisions, notice periods and service commitments. These are not confirmed by the reviewed sources.[1][2][3][4][5]
Check the proposed test record
Use Lightning Protection Testing UK’s advertised package as a comparison benchmark, not proof of report quality or inspection accuracy.[4] Request a redacted sample and confirmation that the final record will distinguish:
- components inspected, tested or omitted;
- measured results and identifiable component or electrode references;
- defects, photographs and remedial priorities;
- inaccessible areas and other limitations;
- findings from the supporting-document review; and
- the test report, defect report, recertification document and certificate of compliance.
The reviewed sources do not provide sample reports or confirmed drawing-output policies for these providers.[1][2][3][4][5]
Verify competence before appointment
The IET identifies NVQ qualifications for installation, testing and commissioning but says these do not cover lightning-risk assessment, system design or surge protection.[6] Ask who will inspect, test, interpret the results and sign the record, then request qualifications and experience relevant to each role.
Choose on confirmed written scope, usable evidence, safe-access arrangements and normalised total cost. Do not score providers on speed, inspection accuracy or failure detection without comparable evidence; no objective comparative outcomes are verified in the reviewed sources.[1][2][3][4][5] References
