Updated January 2023 By Dr Jonathan Palmer

Hair Test Cost

Cost of hair drug testing
 

Understanding the Factors that Affect Hair Testing Pricing

Hair testing is a popular technique for identifying drugs, alcohol, minerals and other substances in a person's body. Many types of hair test hair are available depending on your requirements.

Other hair tests also exist that focus specifically on the individual's hair health, which service the beauty side of hair testing and analysis.

Hair testing is becoming increasingly common and is used in many sectors of society, from drug treatment centres to numerous customer service sectors.

It's important to be aware of the costs involved, regardless of the hair test being performed, as some drug tests can cost from £40.00 to £500.00.

In this article, we'll talk about the variables that can affect the cost of a hair test.

 
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Hair Test Cost Comparison

Numerous factors can influence the price of a hair test when it comes to hair testing.

  • the type of test

  • the quantity of samples

  • the laboratory performing the test

  • the test's location (mobile testing facility or clinic)

  • the time required to conduct the testing, analysis and reporting is a variable that may affect the overall cost

  • additional factors affecting the price of a hair test are whether the hair samples need to be segmented and the size of the drug screening panel

Hair tests for drugs cost around £200.00 for a single test if brought individually, and more is charged for hair tests for alcohol.

Hair drug tests are more expensive than blood drug tests, but they detect drug or alcohol use over a longer time window of up to a year. These factors will also affect the quality and reliability of the hair service you are purchasing.

To ensure you get the best price for your hair test, it is essential to compare costs between various laboratories and testing methodologies to ensure you get the service that fits your needs.

Whether a test is expensive or good value will often depend on whether the information you will be provided benefits you or the employer or the law as need be, regardless of price.

Hair Test Cost for Employers

Employers who use hair testing as a pre-employment requirement must account for the test's cost when planning their budget. Companies or regulators requiring hair testing as part of their employment or other processes should purchase hair tests in bulk to receive cost-per-test discounts, which can be significant.

Hair drug tests that typically cost £150.00 can be reduced to as low as £40.00 depending on the number of hair tests purchased.

To ensure they get the best price for their hair tests, employers should compare costs between various laboratories and testing approaches and ensure they are fit for purpose and appropriate.

Hair Test Cost for Individuals

Hair tests for drugs cost in the region of £150.00 per test (this is for a broad drug screen).

Alcohol hair tests are a little more expensive, costing around £280.00. The most significant factors in test cost are the type of test, the lab conducting the test, and the time required to perform the test, analysis and reporting.

Reports can and do have very personal, legal and life-changing consequences for those involved, so they must be thorough and carried out with appropriate experimental controls.

The price of hair analysis can change, year on year, depending on many factors, including the number of tests purchased at one time. Tests brought individually tend to be more expensive than those obtained in bulk on a per-test basis. Many hair drug testing companies sell packages of drug and alcohol hair testing that, when combined, result in a small cost saving.

Some hair tests start at £30.00, but others cost greater than £500.00. The test's cost must also be considered by people who must submit to a hair test in connection with legal proceedings or for work or other personal reasons.

To ensure they get the best price for their hair tests, clients should compare prices between various laboratories and testing methodologies to ensure they bring both the value and quality of service they desire.

Hair Test Cost for Legal Proceedings

People who submit to a hair test as part of legal proceedings should include the cost of the test as one of their legal expenses.

Most hair testing laboratories offer hair drug tests for around £200.00; however, expert witness statements can be as much as an additional £150.00.

To ensure you get the best price for your hair test in legal proceedings, it's crucial to compare costs between various laboratories and testing methodologies.

Remember, hair tests need to be robust, reliable, and reputable testing companies to be relied on in court. Both the advantages and disadvantages of each hair test and service supplier and how they work should be considered.

So in some cases, price is secondary to the testing accuracy, quality and the testing lab's reputation. The cost of delays or having to retest can be very undesirable, which can make the added expense of using a reputable lab more attractive.

Hair Test Cost for Addiction Treatment Centers

Addiction treatment facilities commonly use hair testing as a part of their patient selection procedure. The price of these tests should be accounted for in their annual accounts.

If ordering a large number of hair drug tests, the cost can be decreased to around £40.00 per test for a complete drug panel, which can include: Amphetamine and methamphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, Cocaine, Ketamine, Methadone and Opiates.

To ensure they get the best price for their hair tests, addiction treatment facilities should compare costs between various laboratories and testing approaches.

Always ensure that the drugs being tested for are appropriate for the centre and its client base.

Appropriate hair tests should be able to either detect or quantify the drug suspected within the patient or screen a range of drugs as needed.

Many hair testing laboratories offer these types of drug and alcohol tests, so shopping around for the best deals is key.

Hair Test Cost for Workplace Drug Testing

Hair testing is frequently used for workplace drug testing.

Workplace testing typically consists of an initial candidate screen, usually following an interview, followed by a regular drug test every 3-6 months or as needed.

Prices of hair tests for workplace testing depend on multiple factors. Individual hair drug tests can cost up to £300.00 each, so for cost efficiency, test less often, but using longer hair samples (if they are available) is advisable.

Companies performing these checks on behalf of their employees who are cost-sensitive should buy hair tests in bulk (depending on the size of the workforce) to get the best deal (custom bulk hair testing solutions are usually available), which can see significant saving on the price of an individual hair test.

The prices offered can drop significantly, depending on the number of hair tests purchased; the more tests brought, the cheaper each test will be.

It's advisable to stick with screening hair tests that can detect (Yes/No) qualitatively whether any drugs are present and use quantitative hair tests to follow up.

To get the best price for workplace drug testing, employers should compare costs between various laboratories and testing methodologies.

Hair Test Cost and Insurance Coverage

Hair testing is frequently not covered by insurance plans or only occasionally. It's crucial to confirm with your insurance company whether your policy covers hair testing and to learn about any restrictions or exclusions that might be present.

You can better plan your budget if you know the price of hair testing and the insurance policies available to you.

In some cases, depending on the frequency of hair testing needed, it may be more cost-effective to go straight to the hair testing laboratory rather than through your insurance - but this will depend on multiple factors and something to bear in mind before purchasing either insurance or a hair test.

Hair Test Cost for Specific Drug

Hair tests for specific drugs vary in price but generally start around

  • £75.00 for a single drug

  • £90.00 for two drugs

  • £105.00 for three drugs

  • £150.00-£175.00 for a complete drug panel being tested for (up to 7 or so)

Depending on the complexity of the test and the equipment needed, some tests may cost more than others. It's important to comprehend the price of hair testing for the particular drugs you want to check for.

Hair Test Cost for Multiple Samples

Depending on how many samples are tested, the price of hair analysis can change.

The cost of the test will rise as more samples are tested; however, the cost per test will typically decrease.

We have seen hair test prices quoted at around £150.00 each falling to £40.00 when ordered in bulk.

Hair Test Cost and Turnaround Time

When planning a budget for hair testing, it's critical to comprehend the price and turnaround time for the test. Tests typically take seven days to report a result once the sample has been received in the lab.

Prices vary, but individual hair drug tests can be purchased for around £150.00.

For a fee, some laboratories provide quicker turnaround times; confirm at the time of booking if you need the test results quickly.

How much is hair testing

Hair Testing Pricing Summary

In conclusion, hair testing is a popular technique for identifying drugs and other substances in a person's body. It's important to be aware of the costs involved, which can be significant, ranging from £40.00 to over £500.00 per test in some cases.

The type of test, the number of samples, the lab performing the test, the location of the test, the turnaround time, the size of the panel, the number of tests ordered, drug panel size and if the hair sample needs to be segmented can all impact the overall cost.

When making a budget, it's crucial to weigh the costs of various laboratories and testing techniques in addition to the price of hair testing.

It's worth checking with your insurance company whether your policy covers hair testing and learning about any restrictions or exclusions that might be present.

Get Expert Hair Analysis and Help

If you are interested in learning about hair testing or have a hair concern you would like to discuss, then please do get in touch. Contact the HairKnowHow Team if you have any questions.

 
 
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