Advice re. new install - roof, telephone line

[alanjrobertson]

Hi

I'm helping my parents out with getting Sky and was looking for some advice.

Some background:

1. They're not at all keen on having a dish on the side of the house and would prefer it on the roof (could be fairly inconspicuous if low-down on the chimney)
2. Phone line is in a different room to the living room (all cordless phones)
3. Probably going for Sky+

Given the first two points we contacted a local contractor - they had no issue with roof install and were going to run the cabling down beside the drainpipe then in under the house and bring it up in the living room (following the same path as the existing aerial lead). They'd also connect the phone line under the floor. Total cost quoted was £270 for this.

I've been reading some posting on here and noticed that it now seems possible to get the phone line requirement waived for a payment of £25 - given the reduction in work as a result of this it would probably be cost-effective.

I'm going to go back to them for a revised quote taking out the phone line connection bit but I was wondering how people felt this was for a ball-park estimate? Obviously it's a lot more than the £30 Sky would charge (and presumably you miss out on any refer a friend offers when not going direct) but my understanding is that Sky wouldn't be willing to do a roof install.

Confirmation re. the £25 telephone option and any thoughts re. general cost would be much appreciated.

[GSMGuy]

AFAIK, if there is no alternative, then special heights team will do one - however, not sure if this applys simply because the customer "wants" it there....

£270 does sound very steep, for what essentialy is a couple of hours work tops....

Mike

[alanjrobertson]

Thanks, Mike.

That's kinda what I thought re. the special heights team, so it sounds like going down the route of getting Sky to install is a no-go.

Any idea of what sort of figure we should be looking at? I wasn't sure if you ended up having to pay for the box when going via an independent vs. the promotions from Sky (free Sky+ box at present with £30 install fee). Would it be better to just get the independent to do the cabling and dish and then go to Sky separately for the box?

Also, if going via an independent, how do you let Sky know you want the 'no telephone line' £25 option?

Thanks

Alan

[joss]

Originally Posted by alanjrobertson

Thanks, Mike.

That's kinda what I thought re. the special heights team, so it sounds like going down the route of getting Sky to install is a no-go.

Any idea of what sort of figure we should be looking at? I wasn't sure if you ended up having to pay for the box when going via an independent vs. the promotions from Sky (free Sky+ box at present with £30 install fee). Would it be better to just get the independent to do the cabling and dish and then go to Sky separately for the box?

Also, if going via an independent, how do you let Sky know you want the 'no telephone line' £25 option?

Thanks

Alan

As far as I know it is in sky's T&C that the sky box must remain connected to an active phone line for at least 12 months. I have never heard of a no phone connection option.
I can't understand why your not taking up skys current offer for free sky+ £30 install. Why would you want to pay an independent installer such a ridicules fee of £270.
Most sky installers do a good professional job, Why don't you ring up about the sky + current offer and talk it through with them. Explain about the preferred chimney install and take it from there. I am sure its going to be a damn site cheaper than the independent who seems to be taking advantage here.

[alanjrobertson]

There seemed to be mention on here* about the possibility of paying £25 to avoid a phone line connection on non-multiroom installations. It was mainly the difficulty in running a phone connection that was putting us off going for Sky as we didn't see them being at all interested in running a cable under the floor (and there's really no sensible route it could be run in the hallway without it looking pretty unsightly).

From what I understood the Sky installers would only be willing to run cable round the outside of the house (which to come in where the TV is would be quite a long unsightly cable run) and drill through the wall - again my parents are keen to keep things neat and running it down the side of the drainpipe and under the floor would be preferable but something we didn't think Sky would be up for considering.


* Cable from phone to Sky+ box!!! is the first thread that springs to mind but I've seen it mentioned in Digitalspy and AVForums too

[joss]

Interesting and thank you for posting the links.
My understanding and this is born out of many posts on other forums that. Only the very basic sky box can be installed without a phone line connection for a one off charge of £25. Why you should be charged for not having something is beyond me.

All sky+, Sky+ HD, and Sky multi room installs require a 12 month connection to your phone line in T&C. After the 12 months your free to disconnect.

either way good luck with your install which ever way you go.

[Smithy99]

Sky do do a one off payment for a non-phone setup, this can be done on any equipment as long as it is not multiroom. The payment is to cover the lost revenue that they get for using the information gleaned from the call back.

As for your install, all I can say is that I would be looking at a charge of £75 for a standard install, this would include the dish being mounted on the stack and then maybe £35 to run the cable under the floor if it is a bit of messing and will take longer than doing it directly.

The last install this way was actually done across the road from where I live and was done for a £95 fee, this included running in the phone point and extending the aerial from the back of the house, all done under the floor so I think the local installer may be charging a little too much, have you had anyone else quote?

[alanjrobertson]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll try and find out more about the £25 option but thanks for the extra ideas re. costing. We're planning on getting a couple more quotes for comparison but it's helpful having these ballpark figures.

Should independents be able to supply boxes at similar prices to Sky (i.e., very low cost or free for new customers) or do they have to charge more?

[joss]

Hi Smithy99

re "The payment is to cover the lost revenue that they get for using the information gleaned from the call back."
can you elaborate more on this ? Just so I am in the know.
Thanks

[GSMGuy]

Why not run the draw ropes for the cable yourself prior to the installer getting there??

I did this in our current house, as I was not going to have any cables tacked to the outside of a brand new house tha we had just paid an arm and TWO legs for!

Installer was more than happy for me to take the reel and stand of cable, and pull it through with my ropes. Mad his job easier too. I think, some subcontractors will do a chimny install as part of the std install, but it is up to them, and you can't insist that they do it.

As for the "Most Sky installers do a good job" I do beg to differ, most want to get in and out ASAP, and onto the next job, the worst for this being the subbies....

I have seen some atrocious cabling on jobs...

Mind you, there are also a lot of conscientious and good fitters out there too...

Mike