Aerial costs?

Silk wrote:
Mark Carver wrote:
Silk wrote:
Tony wrote:

What exactly is a 'contract aerial'?

Aerial rigger bull****.

Not really, it's a genuine term, to mean cough low-budget/entry
level/cheap and cheerful style aerials. They don't have matching
Baluns, and the terminal blocks are often rather basic. Some look to
be made out of stiffened bacofoil. Typical bulk price is under a fiver
each.

Ah, I know the ones. Only last about 30 years - shocking.

It is, they should last forever in a loft.

Mark Carver wrote:
Silk wrote:
Mark Carver wrote:
Silk wrote:
Tony wrote:

What exactly is a 'contract aerial'?

Aerial rigger bull****.

Not really, it's a genuine term, to mean cough low-budget/entry
level/cheap and cheerful style aerials. They don't have matching
Baluns, and the terminal blocks are often rather basic. Some look to
be made out of stiffened bacofoil. Typical bulk price is under a
fiver each.

Ah, I know the ones. Only last about 30 years - shocking.

It is, they should last forever in a loft.

They probably account for about 90% of roof aerials.

"Silk" wrote in message
...
Mark Carver wrote:
Silk wrote:
Mark Carver wrote:
Silk wrote:
Tony wrote:

What exactly is a 'contract aerial'?

Aerial rigger bull****.

Not really, it's a genuine term, to mean cough low-budget/entry
level/cheap and cheerful style aerials. They don't have matching
Baluns, and the terminal blocks are often rather basic. Some look to be
made out of stiffened bacofoil. Typical bulk price is under a fiver
each.

Ah, I know the ones. Only last about 30 years - shocking.

It is, they should last forever in a loft.

They probably account for about 90% of roof aerials.

They did.
Now they're gradually being replaced by those gold ones from Argos, gravity
defying DAT75's and Televes/Triax Unix's which fall apart when a passing
sparrow farts.

"Graham" wrote in message
...


"Carpy" wrote in message
...
Found a few interesting pages regarding aerial costs etc. Read the
comments at the bottom of the pages too. I don't understand how some of
these installers can claim to offer a new aerial installation with an
amplifier for £65?

Are you saying this is too dear, or cheap?


http://www.whatprice.co.uk/prices/ho...l-install.html

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/howi/freeview_aerial.html


Thats t'interweb for you.
I'm told they let anyone post anything on t'interweb.
--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

"alan.holmes" wrote in message
...

Are you saying this is too dear, or cheap?


Are you for real, or just trolling?

On Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:11:01 +0100, "Doctor D"
wrote:


"Carpy" wrote in message
...
Found a few interesting pages regarding aerial costs etc. Read the
comments at the bottom of the pages too. I don't understand how some of
these installers can claim to offer a new aerial installation with an
amplifier for £65?

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/prices/ho...l-install.html

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/howi/freeview_aerial.html


Easy.

"No income tax, no VAT, no money back, no guarantee."
This time next year Rodney, we'll be millionaires.

Your topic mentions cost not price, there is a major difference as you
know. If you consider 'cost' , cost will comprise the principal
elements of materials plus overheads plus labour.

Starting with labour, how much is it reasonable for an aerial
installer to 'earn' per year. Let's say £30,000 ( a little high
perhaps but we must start somewhere). On the assumption the number of
hours worked per year is 2000 that means a rate of £15/hour is
required if he can 'sell' all hours which isn't possible. If we
assume 60% of the time is 'chargeable' the hourly rate is £25/hour for
a salary of £30,000/year.

With respect to materials, I would guess the 'average' cost of
materials for most installations does not exceed £20 and likely
somewhat less. Obviously there will be installations where it will
cost more. So for an hours job the 'cost' would be, excluding
overheads, £45 for the 'average' job.

Assuming 'we' are in agreement so far, for a price of £60 the overhead
part would be £15. Referring to my previous 'assumption' that the
number of chargeable hours is 60% of 2000 hr/year, chargeable hours
are 1200hours therefore the annual contribution to overheads is
£15x1200 which is £18,000/year. Seems adequate to me.

Considering the type of work and the 'danger' aspect, I pose the
question why is erecting an aerial anymore dangerous than say that of
a 'roofer'? If the type of danger is equivalent why should an aerial
erector be compensated more for the risk than a 'roofer'?

Now having addressed the basis of 'cost', price is a different matter.
Price is set by the market and what the public are prepared to pay. It
is perfectly clear, to me at least, that many of those in the aerial
erection business are 'ripping-off' the gullible public. For the same
enquiry I have been quoted from £60 to £200 for the same job of
installing a dipole aerial for a DAB radio on an existing mast mounted
on a chimney at the end of my house. No roof work required, all
accessible from a ladder.

If you disagree with my figures (assumptions) then substitute your own
and you will arrive at what you consider to be the 'cost'. You will
then be able to compare your cost with the 'price' quoted and make a
judgment accordingly.

Doctor D wrote:

Now they're gradually being replaced by those gold ones from Argos,
gravity defying DAT75's and Televes/Triax Unix's which fall apart when a
passing sparrow farts.

Ah, that'll be your "digital" aerial.

On 14/09/2008 08:07, Edward W. Thompson wrote:

I have been quoted from £60 to £200 for the same job of
installing a dipole aerial for a DAB radio on an existing mast mounted
on a chimney at the end of my house.

And you went for the cheapest option and ended up with an unsatisfactory
installation from what I remember.

In article ,
Tony wrote:
Inevitably they will install reject/counterfeit quality components they
cleverly sourced (also on ebay) and resist or blatantly refuse to sort
out problems which occur as a result of their poor workmanship or
substandard components. They will have bought large quantities of these
poor quality components and be in a process of getting rid of it so they
can get better stuff which of course costs more, if of course they have
the ability to figure out what the problem is in the first place.

Ebay gives a false sense of protection, especially if most buyers don't
notice the sh*te your passing on. If a few do notice and you tell them
to f off, you get a few '-ves' but still a high rating.

...I might have an axe to grind.

It's only happened to me once - I bought a phone which turned out to be a
fake. Got an immediate refund. Just make sure anyone you deal with has
decent feedback going back some time.

--
*He's not dead - he's electroencephalographically challenged

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

It's only happened to me once - I bought a phone which turned out to be a
fake.

You ordered the latest Nokia and got this?
http://www.lbtoys.com/product-detail...productID=6377

;-)
--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%