How Much Does Satellite Dish Installation Cost?

Satellite Dish Installation Labor Costs

The cost of labor to install a satellite dish is about $50 to $200, though the price depends on the size and complexity of the installation. An installation on a single-story home or on top of an RV is faster, less dangerous, and less labor-intensive than an installation on a three-story house or in an area with adverse weather.

While the cost of a satellite dish is relatively inexpensive, you should not take the installation lightly. Hiring someone experienced in this type of job is important; it’s risky and can be complicated.

Satellite Dish Installation Kit Costs

Satellite dish installation costs vary based on the type of equipment you're installing and where you're installing it. You can find a complete, ready-to-install satellite dish installation kit starting at $100, including a basic dish. Higher-end models and those designed to work with multiple satellite TV providers, give nationwide coverage, and allow RV installation can cost as much as $1,500. Note that this is for materials only.

Satellite Dish Add-On Costs

If you want to connect more than one TV, a DVR, or another receiving device, you'll also need to purchase a splitter to share the signal. These cost from $5 to $20. And, if your signal is weak or struggles to support multiple devices, you may want to invest in a signal booster, which ranges in cost from $20 to $60.

Alternatively, get a dual-purpose splitter with a built-in inline signal amplifier for $60 to $100. You'll also need additional satellite television receivers to demodulate the signal and transfer it in a usable format to the TV or DVR, which costs from $30 to $100.

Factors That Influence Satellite Dish Installation Costs

The size and the type of satellite dish are the biggest contributing cost factors. The larger a satellite dish, the more expensive it is to install because it requires more labor and stronger anchors and bolts. Several other factors impact the cost of satellite dish installation.

Number of TVs

How many TVs or devices you want to connect to your satellite dish impacts cost. While you can potentially save on labor costs by purchasing a splitter and running the additional cables through yourself, it's faster and less of a headache for you to simply get your pro to do it as part of the original job.

Alternatively, you can hire a local electrician to do this for you later. Hiring an electrician costs $40 to $150 per hour, and they usually have a minimum service charge of at least one or two hours.

Dish Installation on a Roof Mount vs. Pole

If you don't want—or can't have—the satellite dish mounted to your roof, it’s possible to have it mounted to a pole in your yard. While you can install the pole yourself to save a few dollars, it's best to let a professional handle it. They’ll cement the pole deep enough and ensure it’s strong enough to support the satellite dish’s weight and movement, which makes it top-heavy. This arrangement is perfectly safe when done properly, but can be costly and hazardous if you get it wrong.

Installing a satellite dish on a pole instead of your roof can save you on labor costs, particularly if accessibility is an issue or if your roof slopes steeply, making regular installation difficult and time-consuming.

Satellite Bundles

When you buy a satellite TV subscription package, the provider may include free installation in your bundle. But check the fine print to establish what's included, as some give the dish free but charge for the technician's time and labor. Others offer free materials and installation but do not include removing the old dish. Most also will not provide free multi-device setup unless you have a specific multi-device package.

Remedial Work

If the professional finds existing problems with your roof or uncovers issues while running cables inside your home, this will significantly increase the project's overall cost. If they discover asbestos, for example, you'll have to take immediate remedial action. The cost to remove asbestos is steep (around $1,200 to $3,100), even for a small amount, as it poses such a serious health hazard.

Permits

If you're getting free installation as part of a subscription package or you're planning to DIY the job, it's your responsibility to check if there are any permit requirements or local building codes associated. You'll need to pay for and procure any permits yourself. However, if you hire a satellite installer to do the job for you, they should also take care of the permits and local code requirements. The cost of a permit varies based on where you live, so check your city’s building permit application website to see if you need one.  

Removing an Old Dish

The cost to remove an existing satellite dish is about $150. This price includes the labor and equipment to take down the old satellite dish. This charge may include your pro's standard service, but it may be an add-on. Therefore, if you want the old satellite dish taken down, make sure that you tell them when they come to quote you for the job.

If you have a satellite dish installed as part of a satellite TV subscription bundle, the bundle likely won’t include removing the old dish and will either be an add-on or unavailable. If the TV company does not remove the old dish, you'll need to hire a local satellite TV installer to come and take it down.

Benefits of Installing a Satellite Dish

When considering the cost of satellite versus cable installation versus streaming subscriptions, consider several factors to choose the best option for you. The main benefits of installing a satellite dish include:

• Powerful signal: A satellite dish usually provides more channels and a better picture quality than other forms of television broadcasting, such as cable, an antenna, or internet streaming.

• Better cost-per-channel: With how many channels you get, satellite service generally has a lower cost-per-channel (therefore a better value for those who consider that a priority) than cable and also streaming services if you subscribe to many different subscriptions.

• Availability: No matter where you live in the country, whether in a city or the remote countryside, a satellite dish provides access to TV channels.

DIY vs. Hiring a Satellite Dish Installation Pro

For the best, safest results, hiring a local satellite dish installer is the best choice. Getting up on your roof is very dangerous and can lead to property damage or serious injury. Repairing a roof costs a significant sum if you perform the satellite dish installation incorrectly. Plus, you must ensure the dish is fully secure and can withstand bad weather. Otherwise, the dish could fall and cause serious injury to someone who happens to be walking underneath.