Bird spikes on TV ariel

Simon354

I need to deter birds from sitting on my TV ariel. A local firm offered to fit spikes on the ariel for £120+Vat. Seems a bit pricey. I've emailed for a few other places for more quotes but just wondered if anyone else has had similar work?

jakemillspaek

The spikes probably cost £30.
Unless you have means of SAFE access to your ariel don't consider doing it yourself.
I assume there will be 2 men (1 at the bottom of the ladder).You would be clutching at straws and wasting time to try and get it cheaper.
Each to their own.

phill99

As above......

Simon354

I never intended on trying to fit them myself, I was just posing the question on whether the quote I was given was reasonable which I thought was the purpose of this sub-forum?

jakemillspaek

I think you can gather it is more than reasonable.
Just why do you think it is expensive?

Simon354

The £114 inc. vat labour. It's not exactly a skilled trade climbing a ladder and fixing some spikes. Even with two people at a generous two hours worth of work. If I can earn £30 per hour holding a ladder I'm in the wrong job!

jakemillspaek

Van,ladder,collecting/obtaining materials,follow on work,weather dependant,knowhow try it sometime.
Don't forget travelling to you and then travelling to the next job.
Getting paid,accounts.
Consider the ladder will take a man to the eaves.Your ariel will be fixed to the verge.
I wouldn't even question the price.

phill99

Simon354 wrote: »

The £114 inc. vat labour. It's not exactly a skilled trade climbing a ladder and fixing some spikes. Even with two people at a generous two hours worth of work. If I can earn £30 per hour holding a ladder I'm in the wrong job!

But he isn't earning £30 an hour. He's earning £30 an hour for the time he is on your job. He is probably only charging for 5 or 6 hoursa day. Bear in mind he has already spent an hour on your job by responding to your phone call, visiting you to look at the job and quoting. Out of that £30 he's funding a van, advertising, tools, replacement tools, insurances, diesel, sick pay, holiday pay. Then he's got accountancy fees to pay.

I run a maintenance company at relatively low cosy as I work from home. But I have to find £40 a day just stand still. That sum covers all of the above costs and that figure still has to be paid whether I earn £5 in that day or £250.

Crinkmeister

It won't do your tv reception any good, although it probably won't matter too much unless your signal is really weak. Edit: are they made of plastic? If so ignore what I said!!