You might think that an aerial installation is a straightforward job so it doesn’t really matter who you get to fit your new aerial. But there are still rogue traders out there, so it’s important that you do your research beforehand to ensure that you have your aerial installed by a reputable aerial professional. Find out all you need to know about choosing the right aerial installer.
Know what you need
Check your coverage by visiting the Digital UK website and entering your postcode and house number in their coverage checker. This will tell you whether you are in a high or low digital TV signal area, what service providers are available to you and even which TV channels are available at your home. If you know the channels you should receive, you can make sure that your new aerial is working properly by checking that all the channels are working after installation.
Another great way to tell which kind of aerial you will need is to look at your neighbours’ houses. If they all have standard-sized aerials on normal length poles, then you should expect that you will need this type of aerial too. If your neighbours have huge great aerials, it’s likely you’ll need one this size too. You’re protecting yourself from being mis-sold the wrong aerial by making sure you’re clued up before you call any contractors.
Compare a range of quotes
Use Quotatis to get up to four quotes from reliable companies. Check out their ratings and reviews to see whether their service is up to the standard you expect. We also recommend that you ask the contractors for references so you can get a good idea of how they work. Do a comparison of a number of quotes and see which one is the most competitive and offers the best product for you.
Ask questions
A good installer will ask questions about your property, whether you want any extra rooms fed and where your TV is, but you should make sure you ask the installers questions when they are quoting for the work:
- What brand of aerials do they use?
- Is the mounting hardware made from long-lasting galvanised welded steel? If they use cheaper painted press steel, it will rust quickly and leave streaks down your home’s walls.
- What cable do they use? They should use coaxial cable called WF100 or CT100. RG6 is also adequate for domestic installations.
- Do they think you need an amplifier? A good installer should only recommend an amplifier in a good signal area if you want more than 3 rooms fed with signal.
Be aware of very low prices
The cost of installing aerials is relatively low, so your final decision really should be based on the price of the aerial itself and how impressed you are with the contractor’s service. If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. You could end up with a damaged chimney or roof if your aerial isn’t installed properly.
As long as you get a range of quotes before you get the work done, your aerial installation should go smoothly. Use our service to get up to 4 quotes from aerial companies quickly and easily.