What price for an aerial installation?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV 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?
5:13 PM
I have just had a very disappointing experience with Aerialforce. Just paid out 70 to have an aerial diagnostic even though I specifically asked for a repair! So I am 70 lighter with no tv reception as the engineer removed the existing aerial stating it was perished...the only thing perished was the coaxial cable!! Pissed off doesn't even come close to how I feel today!
| link to this comment |
5:01 PM
Always best to stick to the small local firms in my opinion. The national companies have to charge more to cover their overheads plus they are always vat registered which means they will be 20% more expensive anyway
| link to this comment |
9:47 PM
Norwich
liz richards: Hi, Liz. Customers' reviews of their experiences with 'Aerialforce' are, to say the least, very mixed! What you need to do is to put your complaint in writing to Aerialforce's head office at:TV Aerial Company Ltd, Bourne House, 475 Godstone Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey, CR3 0BL If it had been me, I would not have permitted the Aerialforce engineer to remove a perfectly good aerial and for him to take it away with him is simply 'theft' and could be reported to the Police! Generally speaking, aerial contracting companies will not even try to repair an existing aerial, as they will always be out to sell you a new aerial AND new cable and connectors, to make as much money out of the job as they can. To be frank, it's not really economically viable for the contractor or the customer to repair an existing aerial because a brand new one (even a high gain one!) can be bought for just twenty-five pounds. Not bad eh? You say, however, that there was nothing wrong with your old aerial, but I would ask how you knew that? Your best bet is a letter of complaint to the above address. Hope this helps, Richard, Norwich.
| link to this comment |
Richard's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
7:40 PM
Recently got a quote of 200 to fit an aerial in the loft with 2 connection points. Seems a bit excessive given the engineers not even going on the roof and how long would it take 3-4hours?
| link to this comment |
5:14 PM
Wacatone:
That does not seem unreasonable when you consider what is involved. You need an aerial of course, but them you need some form of distribution amplifier so you can feed the signals to two, or more, outlets. Plus the cabling both in the loft and feeding down to each of the rooms you want the signals provided to. Add to that the VAT and some operating profit for the rigger, then 200 does not seem unreasonable at all.
| link to this comment |