Cost satellite & TV aerial install.

Modern installations must now account for 4G and 5G interference, which can disrupt older equipment. Investing in a high-quality aerial or satellite dish, paired with professional-grade coaxial cabling, guarantees a stable picture and protects your home against the elements for years to come.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey: A technician uses a signal strength meter to identify the best mounting position, whether on the chimney, gable end, or in the loft.
• Mounting: Installation of a galvanised steel bracket and mast to prevent rust and ensure the hardware remains stable in high winds.
• Hardware Fitting: Attaching the digital aerial (Yagi or Log-periodic) or satellite dish (Zone 1 or Zone 2) to the mast.
• Cabling: Running double-shielded WF100 coaxial cable from the hardware to your TV points, ensuring all entry points are drilled with a "drip loop" to prevent water ingress.
• Alignment: Using a digital spectrum analyser to fine-tune the orientation for maximum signal-to-noise ratio.
• Distribution: Fitting splitters or masthead amplifiers if you require a signal in multiple rooms.
• Commissioning: Final testing of the signal at the wall socket and tuning your TV or set-top box.

Typical Costs

Prices vary primarily based on the height of your property and the local signal strength. Homes in "fringe" reception areas may require more expensive high-gain aerials and powered amplifiers, while three-storey townhouses often incur higher labour costs due to safety requirements.

How Long Does It Take?

• Standard Aerial/Dish Install: 1.5 to 3 hours for a single-point connection.
• Multi-room Distribution: 3 to 5 hours, depending on the complexity of cable routing through lofts or walls.
• Fault Finding & Repair: 1 to 2 hours to identify and replace a faulty LNB or damaged cable section.
• Commercial/IRS Systems: 1 to 2 days for small apartment blocks or shared dwellings.

DIY or Professional?

While DIY kits are available, working at height poses significant safety risks that require specialist ladders and fall-arrest gear. Professionals use digital signal meters costing hundreds of pounds to find the exact "sweet spot" for reception, which is impossible to do by eye.

Incorrectly installed masts can damage your brickwork or chimney stack during high winds, and poor weatherproofing often leads to damp issues inside the home.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for members of the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries). They are vetted and must adhere to strict installation codes.
• Insurance: Ensure the installer has Public Liability insurance that specifically covers "working at height."
• Warranty: A reputable firm should offer at least a 12-month guarantee on both parts and labour.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Are you using "benchmarked" CAI-approved cable and hardware?
  • Will you provide a signal strength reading after the installation?
  • Does the quote include the removal and disposal of my old aerial?
  • How will you seal the hole where the cable enters the house?

UK Regulations

• Planning Permission: Generally not needed for a single aerial or dish, but restrictions apply to Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.
• Dish Size: In the UK, satellite dishes should generally not exceed 100cm in diameter without specific planning consent.
• Safety Standards: All installations should follow BS EN 60728-11 regarding the earthing and mechanical security of antennas.

Common Problems

• Water Ingress: Cheap cables or lack of "drip loops" allow rainwater to run down the cable and into the back of your TV or through the wall.
• 4G/5G Interference: New mobile masts can "swamp" TV signals; this requires a specific LTE filter to be fitted to the aerial.
• Loose Brackets: Using "nail-in" clips instead of proper masonry bolts causes the aerial to vibrate or shift in the wind, losing the signal.
• Internal Splitters: Using unpowered splitters in the loft often drops the signal below the threshold for a stable digital picture.

Frequently Asked Questions