Can't install sky dish because of roof tiles?

CharlieRabbit01

Has anyone else heard something so absurd?

My OH have taken a day off work to be in for the sky installation within 5 minutes of being there the guy said we can't install on the side as you'd have signal problems (fine we expected this) since it cant be put on the front of the building we asked for it to go on the chimney like our neighbours we live in a ground floor flat which is a converted house (2 floors) the guy won't install because of the roof tiles and we need to pay for a specialist.

Really, sounds so ridiculous that if I pay someone else it can be done but sky wont.

teddysmum

Perhaps, they didn't want to access the chimney by climbing over tiles that do not belong to you, as the owner's permission is required ?


There is no problem with a house, but in a block of flats things could be quite involved.

talktalktobt

What Sky provide free is a 'Standard Installation' which involves mounting a standard dish onto a safely accessible point - usually a side wall of a property.. What you require does not sound like a 'standard installation' to me. They are very particular with liability and health & safety.

Sky engineers do not carry roof ladders as standard (the ones that hook over the top of the roof. The Sky engineers are not permitted to walk on the roof - I believe this is due to an incident some years ago.

3. Consents and Permissions
The installation of your Digital Satellite Equipment may require the agreement or consent of someone else, for example your landlord or the local council or authority. You are responsible for ensuring that all these agreements and consents have been obtained before we install your Digital Satellite Equipment.

4. Additional Works
(a) A "standard installation" assumes that no additional cabling, bracketry or other equipment is required or any works which are beyond the scope usual in a normal installation. An installation may not be standard where, for example, your Minidish needs to be sited above two storey, or more than 20 metres away from your Box.
A 'standard' installation further assumes that if you already have satellite equipment, your existing cabling will be used in the connection of the Digital Satellite Equipment.
(b) If the installation of your Digital Satellite Equipment is not standard you will be charged a reasonable sum for any additional equipment or works that are required. We will advise you about these charges before we install the Digital Satellite Equipment, which may need to be re-arranged for another time. Alternatively, if you do not agree to those charges, you may cancel your installation, and Sky or its retail agent will repay anything you have already paid for it.

If you are in a ground floor flat, and want it installed above the second story you would need to have the permission of the roof owner. Add into that , the roof is above two stories!

I think that it is frustrating, but not ridiculous.

If you are unhappy with this, remember that you are within your rights to cancel prior to the start of your service. If you need to know exactly why your service wasn't installed - call Sky. The operator will have access to the installers report.

[Deleted User]

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

sounds so ridiculous that if I pay someone else it can be done but sky wont.

No, it just means independent installers don't have to conform to the same health and safety standards as Sky installers do. You can bet your neighbour had his dish attached to the chimney by an independent.

There are reports that Sky installers have been disciplined for not wearing their safety harness on visits back to their depot.:eek:

CharlieRabbit01

teddysmum wrote: »

Perhaps, they didn't want to access the chimney by climbing over tiles that do not belong to you, as the owner's permission is required ?


There is no problem with a house, but in a block of flats things could be quite involved.

We have written permission for the dish to be installed as long as its not on the front. (Our landlord owns the whole building our gf flat and the 1st floor above).

talktalktobt wrote: »

What Sky provide free is a 'Standard Installation' which involves mounting a standard dish onto a safely accessible point - usually a side wall of a property.. What you require does not sound like a 'standard installation' to me. They are very particular with liability and health & safety.

Sky engineers do not carry roof ladders as standard (the ones that hook over the top of the roof. The Sky engineers are not permitted to walk on the roof - I believe this is due to an incident some years ago.



If you are in a ground floor flat, and want it installed above the second story you would need to have the permission of the roof owner. Add into that , the roof is above two stories!

I think that it is frustrating, but not ridiculous.

If you are unhappy with this, remember that you are within your rights to cancel prior to the start of your service. If you need to know exactly why your service wasn't installed - call Sky. The operator will have access to the installers report.

I'm aware of the equipment required as my grandfather was a builder, which is why I can understand why they won't do it. Its not a difficult install with the right equipment.

The guy wanted to install it at shoulder height on the side wall but said we'd have a very poor signal. So we didn't go ahead.

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

No, it just means independent installers don't have to conform to the same health and safety standards as Sky installers do. You can bet your neighbour had his dish attached to the chimney by an independent.

There are reports that Sky installers have been disciplined for not wearing their safety harness on visits back to their depot.:eek:

The independent installer isn't worth the saving I was making on the package especially since we only planned to stay on it for a year.

It seems to be a common issue, with the amount they charged I'd expect them to provide adequate training and equipment for their installers.

talktalktobt

I am assuming that you are going for the free standard installation, right? You seem frustrated by the fact that you have been told that your installation you want isn't a standard one - right?

Having re-read your post I have thought of a couple of alternatives that might suit...
1. If there is already a dish there, have an independent fit a quad or oct LNB and take a feed from the single dish.
2. If your grandfather was a tradesman and still able, why not ask him to install for you. Just ask the Sky engineer to fit the Dish where he wanted to with a bit extra cable and then have your grandfather move it.

Sadly, if your install is not deemed a standard install you will have to pay for it. I don't think that is absurd at all.

Standard install = cheap & easy install.

CharlieRabbit01

talktalktobt wrote: »

I am assuming that you are going for the free standard installation, right? You seem frustrated by the fact that you have been told that your installation you want isn't a standard one - right?

Having re-read your post I have thought of a couple of alternatives that might suit...
1. If there is already a dish there, have an independent fit a quad or oct LNB and take a feed from the single dish.
2. If your grandfather was a tradesman and still able, why not ask him to install for you. Just ask the Sky engineer to fit the Dish where he wanted to with a bit extra cable and then have your grandfather move it.

Sadly, if your install is not deemed a standard install you will have to pay for it. I don't think that is absurd at all.

Standard install = cheap & easy install.

I'm a little perplexed that they don't offer an alternative install, a lot of homes are 2 storeys so I cannot understand why they wouldn't include an option for this.

We couldn't get sky in our old place which was fair enough it would need to go on the irregular roof of a 4 storey building, but our current home is fairly standard.

My "neighbour" as I admit to referring to is 5 doors down so this might not be possible as we'd have to trail cables across everyones houses.

I would absolutely have gone for this but sadly my grandfather is no longer with us.

[Deleted User]

Just be thankful the Sky installer didn't just plonk it just above head height on the bay window, as he has done to several properties in my own locality.

As others have said, if you want a non-standard installation, you'll have to pay for it.

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

with the amount they charged I'd expect them to provide adequate training and equipment for their installers.

It's all about risk and the possibility of Sky being sued by their injured employees. Nothing to do with "training", I'm afraid.

CharlieRabbit01

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Just be thankful the Sky installer didn't just plonk it just above head height on the bay window, as he has done to several properties in my own locality.

As others have said, if you want a non-standard installation, you'll have to pay for it.

It's all about risk and the possibility of Sky being sued by their injured employees. Nothing to do with "training", I'm afraid.

Oh this is almost exactly what he wanted to do, if he'd had his way I'd have walked into the thing every time I put my washing out.

I've finally managed to speak to someone at sky, who said yes we can, I asked if he was certain so he checked with his supervisor that actually they don't install on chimneys anymore.

But has advised me to call their engineers tomorrow directly to check.

[Deleted User]

Sky don't install on chimneys. As already advised, you'll need to employ an independent.
Even Sky's "special heights" team won't fix a dish to the chimney.

CharlieRabbit01

This is what the supervisor said but still insisted I call the engineers.

They're not going to change their mind but it doesn't change the fact that their policy is ridiculous.

I don't understand a society that feels the need to sue everyone forcing companies to cover their backs in this way.