What cost installation?

Sabby · 06-01-2016, 12:45

Just before Christmas 2015 I moved home. Dissatisfied with the appalling service from BT I decided to opt for VM broadband/phone/tv package. My home wasn't listed on the VM database and a supervisor was sent out to check. He said I couldn't have VM installed because in order to do so would entail installers climbing ladders.
So, despite having a junction box in the street immediately outside the property that my house backs on to I couldn't get VM installed.
The usual excuses of H&S were rolled out, together with time it would take! So do Virgin want my business? Apparently not!
I had considered having all the necessary cabling fitted at my own expense, but I guess the installers would find an excuse not to connect?

Quite frankly I'm amazed at the publicity that Virgin put out - not everyone who wants VM lives in a 2-up, 2-down suburban semi!
Any constructive suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks. Rant over.

TAZMANUK · 06-01-2016, 16:56

Ive seen a hub been installed in a loft so you have required a ladder to get the cable up in their thats in a terraced house.

My install needed a ladder they went up about 10 rungs to drill a hole to get a cable in where in needed to go.

How high are you talking, ask for someone at virginmedia to come out and have a look.

Sabby · 06-01-2016, 17:08

Oh I tried that - because the cable has to go round the front of the building and be attached under the roof eaves (the owner of the other property won't allow cable to run round at 1st floor level) the surveyor said 1) it's too high and 2) it would take too long!
I admit it's a bit of a strange request, but come on, doesnt every installation have its littl problems?

Thanks for your help TazmanUK!

DJSADERS · 06-01-2016, 18:30

First off i'm gunna say this straight away...

It's not H&S bull it's law! We are only insured up to the upstairs window ledge... any higher then we are not covered... i'm sure you wouldn't want a law suit if anything happened now...

The other point is that if your in a McNicholas area when they replaced the vans last summer we got given shorter ladders to fit inside (they still reach our insured height but no higher)

vm_tech · 06-01-2016, 19:16

What area are you in?

Sabby · 06-01-2016, 19:22

OK - let me say straight off the bat that I don't think ALL H&S is bull - just some of it. I guess it's symptomatic of the 'Injurylawyers4you' culture that has sprung up in this country. After all, lots of people climb ladders every day without incident!
Second - I live in Ely (Cambridge) and third,
I was considering getting a private contractor to fix up the wiring and then the installers wouldn't have to climb anywhere - just connect up to the hub and the box in the street. Depending upon the feasibility this may still remain an option.

DJSADERS · 06-01-2016, 19:27

If you were to get the cable from point A to point B then there would be no reason as to why you couldn't be connected, as this would take the complications away from your install.

vm_tech · 06-01-2016, 19:37

Contact the manager you spoke to last time and get some cable dropped round t make sure the right type is used

Sabby · 06-01-2016, 19:41

Thank you! That really is so helpful, but why couldn't the guy who came round initially have told me that?!!!

DJSADERS · 06-01-2016, 22:34

I can't remember the exact type people recommend but i usually suggest either direct from VM... or Tri-Shielded RG6 Coaxial Cable