What price for an aerial installation?
In responses to the guideline I posted about how much having a new aerial fitted should cost, Ian Grice posted: "£40-£50? Every aerial fitter I contacted wants at least £150+VAT considering you can get a class 3 aerial for under £10 and a class 2 for under £15 and cable is 40p a metre why are they charging so much for 30 minutes work?"
OK, for some places putting up a TV aerial is hard work, such as multi-story properties. As many people will simply be exchanging a Group A, B, C/D, E or K aerial for a wideband type, often without changing the supporting pole or cable, a high price cannot be justified.
I am concerned that some companies will exploit vulnerable groups (such as the elderly).
So, I what prices have you been quoted for aerial installations? What price have you paid for installation?
Do you know of any companies to avoid? Do you know of any companies that are good value for money?
Or do you work for a great aerial installation company?
I think a reasonable charge for an aerial installation, assuming there are no extras, like a splitter involved or any extra cabling other than the run down from the aerial itself. Then a price of approx £150 is reasonable, especially if it comes with a guarantee and the use of quality cable and Aerial are supplied.
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10:37 PM
I need aerial + satellite instalation in block of flats. All cables from basement are already conected to 9 flats ( 2 cables to each flat) but need to install 2 satellites 1 for Astra 2 another 1 for Hotbird + freeview aerial. Distance form aerial to basement aprox 25 m. Can anyone help me how much should I pay for above installation. I need to have 2 separate switches 1 for Hotbird another 1 for Astra 2. How much min and how much max should I pay for above. Thank You
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8:47 PM
Hi. Interesting thread. Can someone here tell me whether this is a good price. I wouldn't know at all, but it seems very pricey...but then I'm quite out of date with these things.
Got a quote for installing Freeview TV + FM + DAB feeds into two upstairs bedrooms and the living room downstairs. Chap wants £617 for the job. Says he needs to put an distribution amp in the loft and then go back out and drop down into each room that the price includes everything inc. 2 patress boxes in each room , 1 solely for dab and 1 box with TV and FM coming out. Price also includes new chimney fixings and aerials as he says they need replacing. I had a high gain aerial installed 6 years ago for freeview. The chimney fixings are rusty. You can see it from the street. He says it all needs redoing.
I like the idea of a nice neat job but I wasn't expecting the final price. Is this a good price? Having hard time getting my wife to go with it. Probably living in yesteryear, but need to make sure.
Thanks.
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10:04 PM
Simon: I'm no expert, it it sounds pricey!
If you have a decent aerial, then why not just replace the chimney fixtures? Of course if they are rusty, then the whole thing might be dodgy, but being rusty does not mean they are going to fall off!
Try looking at ATV - at least you can see whay the materials should cost (and for good quality stuff as well) A.T.V (Aerials And Television) FM DAB TV Aerial, plus poles and brackets
Hopefully, someone can give you a better answer, and if you can include your postcode, someone can advise you on what type of aerial you need, and whether you need a DAB aerial at all.
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10:13 PM
Swansea
Hi MikeB
Thanks for reply. I did wonder at the price. I know it's a risky job and a fair price is called for (as it should be), but...
If someone can help with more info that would be great. Postcode is SA2 9JR.
I can get DAB upstairs on dipole fly lead thing that came with both identical hi-fis in each room although not many stations as it garbles. Same with FM except just hiss. Downstairs (same hi-fi as the two upstairs) can't get hardly any DAB stations on the fly lead which is odd as my portable cheap Tesco dab radio picks up loads of stations. FM on fly lead is abysmal downstairs also.
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Simon's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
11:51 PM
Simon the top price to pay is around £300 the materials are only around £100 and two hours of labour
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7:25 AM
nick: thanks a lot. Seems pretty clear then that I've been given quite an overestimate. This chap was recommended by a friend as well. I phoned him last night and told him the quote I'd been given and he was flabbergasted. He never wrote the quote down either. Just on a notepad and he kept it. Ask me if. I'd be able to remember it or if I'd like to write anything down from his notepad. And not vat registered either. In brackets at end of his quote on his notepad he'd written (no vat).
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7:29 AM
Sorry. Posted from phone. Not really illiterate. I also tried posting he had written 'no vat' in brackets.
Think I need to get more quotes.
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10:20 AM
what you have to remember Simon is that this type of work is nothing special to a professional just basic stuff at the end of the day
they earn a very good living at £100 per hour which on a basic install takes one hour with £50 max trade price for the hardware so anyone who wants more then £100 per hour should be avoided
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10:26 PM
Simon: I think 'overestimate' is a very generous way of putting it!
Looking at where your transmitter is, you certainly don't need a booster/amp for TV signals, and the fact that all you seemingly need is a DAB/FM aerial (which ATV will do for £15) makes his quote rubbish. No written quote or VAT either...
Perhaps someone can come up with an explaination for your poor FM/DAB signal, so at least you know what your dealing with.
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