Satellite Installers SUCK!

Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

I recently purchased this house. There are cable and phone lines running EVERYWHERE....it's like a spider web, but all over the place...What can I do to fix this? Can I "force" the installer to come out and do it properly/better?

I've got dangling cables going into windows, holes in the wall, and God knows wherever else. I have 4 units, but 6 satellites. It's a real eye sore, especially because I'd imagine half of these cables aren't "live"....

Any suggestions for getting it fixed?

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Rosston Smith

Investor · Warner Robins, GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 490 votes

He did a bloody terriple job hahahahahaha for real

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Rosston Smith
Investor · Warner Robins, GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 490 votes
9y
You could install a casing over them and paint them the color of the house.

Would be easy. Could buy them, or slice a PVC down the middle with a few brackets.
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Rosston Smith
Investor · Warner Robins, GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 490 votes
9y
He did a bloody terriple job hahahahahaha for real
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Being that it's in neighborhood of rentals in East Hartford Connecticut, I'd imagine they've NEVER cut a single cable, and rather just ran a new cable every time a new tenant moved in...
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Charlie John
Investor · Twin Cities, MN · Member since 2015 · 130 posts · 111 votes
9y
an electrician could clean that up in an hour for 90$. Or try to have the cable company do it for free. It's not a big deal but definitely annoying to see people not giving an f about their job
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David NilesBusiness Member
Property Manager · DeLand FL · Member since 2012 · 860 posts · 243 votes
9y
Years ago my company ran a crew of installers for several of the chain and local satellites sales companies, we always did very neat and complete jobs. The satellites have cut most of the install pay to less than half of what it was and thus, garbage installs and guys having to do more to make the same or less in pay, exact reason I got out of that business.
What I recommend to my PM and owners is to always require a LOP ( letter of permission ) before a tenant can have a satellite installed. In that LOP you specify exactly where dishes can and cant be installed, wiring etc.
Warn tenant that if they go ahead without it, they are responsible for removal/damages etc.
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Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
@Filipe Pereira We've seen this and worse. Hence very clear instructions in our rental agreements now. WE NEED TO BE PRESENT FOR EVERY INSTALL. Can't depend on the telecommunication companies or their installers (staff or contract) doing the right thing.
We've seen the work of shoddy installers. They drill through roofs and into attics, drill through asbestos siding, drill through aluminum siding, drill through beautiful cedar siding. We've seen black cable wrapped around the exterior of two sides of a white house that already had cable internally installed in the walls, cable running over gutters, cable running between two building eaves, etc. The companies tend to cut the lines of the other companies and go the easiest route (exterior wrap and drill). Our area is serviced by four different telecommunication companies. Some of our buildings had wires from all four, installed by cutting through a crawlspace vent, leaving an opening big enough for rodents (mice to possums) to get through. When they drill a hole, they don't always caulk it and water gets in. ARRGH!
We no longer allow satellite dishes to be attached to the building, but rather we have them put on a pole or even on cinder blocks on the ground. We must protect the integrity of our roofs. When a tenant moves out, the companies tend to leave their exterior equipment behind, junking up our property. We had to put a stop to it.
Consider adding a property rule, such as this:
AERIALS/ANTENNAE/CABLE/DISH.Tenant agrees to not install or cause to be installed any aerials, antennae, cable, dish or other telecommunication equipment without prior written consent of Landlord.Such installation, if not done properly, could result in structural damage.Landlord or Landlord’s representative must be present at all installations. Tenant agrees to pay for the cost of installation, removal, and/or damage caused by such installations.
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Justin Fox
Software Developer · Vidor, TX · Member since 2015 · 922 posts · 639 votes
9y
I always make the tenants get their satellites installed on poles in the ground. Not drilling into my roof. If they don't like it, get cable.
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
I might have miscommunicatedd. All of these wires were installed BEFORE I had ownership of the house. My lease has things about satellite installation and all of that, but these were in place before I bought the house, so my lease is a bit useless in this regard.
I am trying to fix the problem, not prevent it at this point.
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Mike McCarthy
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
I think Charlie John has your solution. You need to get an electrician or telecommunications person out for an hour or two to remove what's no longer needed and clean up what's there. It's not hard, but takes some time to do it right and make it look presentable. I doubt the satellite company will come out for free unless it's for a new installation/contract.
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Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
Originally posted by @Filipe Pereira:

I might have miscommunicatedd. All of these wires were installed BEFORE I had ownership of the house. My lease has things about satellite installation and all of that, but these were in place before I bought the house, so my lease is a bit useless in this regard.
I am trying to fix the problem, not prevent it at this point.
I would talk with the tenants of each unit and let them know you will be initiating work to clean up the installations done previously. Document which telecommunication company each tenant has. Contact those companies and clearly state you need for them to come out and correct the problem. Having an outside contractor do it could be problematic, since satellite positioning must be precise and if you attempt to move the equipment on your own the company won't guarantee their service to the tenant. You may be able to negotiate with the telecommunication companies to correct the problem for free. Or they may slap a service call charge on you. If you have to pay for it, do it. Don't expect the tenant to, as this all occurred prior to your being involved. We've left some equipment where it was originally installed until the tenant moved out, then we just did it our way from that point on. Painting the wires to match the building color may be the easiest "bandaid" approach to improving the looks. Removal of wires and dishes that are not "live" can be easily done by a handyman, but make sure all holes are property patched. Good luck!
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
thats more what I was looking for. Thanks
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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
9y
We don't allow anything attached to the house and do not allow any cable television to be drilled through walls. Crawl spaces only and only exiting in corners near baseboards. I've taken down more satellite dishes from roofs, fascia, and siding than I care to any more. Satellite specifically required to be on a non-permanent pole in the yard. Most tenants just say forget it and use cable, since all of the houses I have are already cable-ready.
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Tyler Ansell
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 293 posts · 175 votes
9y
LOLOL that look horrible! I would call cable company to come out and tell them that you're new owner and you want all equipment removed and the damage repaired. Then just set up for a new install. Also, what @Marcia Maynard said about being present for every install is so critical. I've had installers show up on properties and not ask any questions just start drilling through concrete and roofs throwing satellites and wires everywhere.
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Mike Nelson
Investor · Oak Park, IL · Member since 2014 · 307 posts · 150 votes
9y
Direct TV installed an antenna dish on my roof without my permission. It took a major effort to get them to come out and remove the antenna. I refuse to do business with them.
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Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
I just had my day thrown for a loop! One of our tenants informed my husband on Monday that they made an appointment with Direct TV to install service on Friday TODAY! My husband told the tenant to contact me to assist with the arrangements and he didn't do that. I'm just hearing about it now. So as I read this thread, I'm planning a trip to our property to be there between 1p - 3pm. I've elected my dear husband/business partner to be there too, as I must be ready to leave for work by 2pm. Luckily the property is located half way between our home and my work. We're not allowing a new installation on the roof, but will allow them to use an existing Direct TV roof mount that was left from a previous tenant. Problem comes to the wiring. Determining how it will enter the building and the interior rooms. That's why we need to be there. We too have old wires that we will need to deal with, because the tenant just prior to this one had Comcast. So I'm going to take this opportunity to get the installer to do what we need. I'll let you know later how it goes. This is a duplex unit.
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Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
FYI... Here is the LANDLORD APPROVAL FORM provided by Direct TV.... you see it is designed to cover their interests.
DEAR PROSPECTIVE DIRECTV CUSTOMER, Congratulations on your decision to sign up for DIRECTV® service! You have made the best choice in digital television entertainment, and we are confident you will be thrilled with the service. To ensure you have a smooth installation experience, if you do not own the residence in which you intend to install your DIRECTV® System, we ask that you obtain landlord approval prior to any installation. Installation of a DIRECTV System may involve modifications to the residence. While these modifications are often minor, standard professional installation many times includes drilling holes in order to run cable and attach equipment securely to the outside of the structure. Any such type of modification may be forbidden pursuant to the terms of your lease/rental agreement or may require pre-approval by the landlord. Please be advised that landlord approval is often required with multi-tenant apartment buildings. You should carefully review your lease agreement to determine if you have the right to make such modifications. If landlord approval is required, please request that the landlord, or its authorized representative, complete section 1 below to acknowledge authorization for the installation and provide this signed form to the DIRECTV technician at the time of installation. In the alternative, if the landlord verbally gives you permission or if landlord approval is not required pursuant to your lease or rental agreement, please complete section 2 below. By providing this signed form to your professional installer, you are granting DIRECTV permission to install your new DIRECTV System and are releasing DIRECTV from obligation to remove your system after it is installed. The signed installation permission form releases DIRECTV (including any installation technician) from any liability related to damages your landlord may claim as a result of an alleged violation of your lease/rental agreement as it relates to the installation of your new DIRECTV System. Should your landlord only approve the DIRECTV System installation subject to special requirements that make the actual install more expensive (or exceeds what DIRECTV offers as part of its standard professional installation), you will be asked to pay a corresponding charge, to be agreed upon by you and your installer, for the additional services. In addition, please remember that technical issues may still prevent installation of your DIRECTV System. Though this is rare, challenges such as a poor line-of-sight to the satellite, or inadequate grounding availability, can prevent installation of the DIRECTV System, in which case your money will be refunded.
1. I, (landlord/authorized landlord representative of DIRECTV customer), hereby authorize (name of tenant/DIRECTV customer) to install a DIRECTV System at (tenant address) Signature of landlord/authorized landlord representative Date
or
2. Installation of a DIRECTV System at (address) has been verbally approved by my landlord or approval is not required pursuant to my lease or rental agreement. Signature of DIRECTV Customer Date
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David Dachtera
Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
@Filipe Pereira,
Such companies typically contract with independent installers.
Note that: "installers", not "un-installers" or "cleaner uppers".
The installer's job is to establish new service for the vendor's customer. That's it.
They don't know what's in the walls and they don't care. You want cable / telephone / DSL / fiber done using existing cabling?
First off, you're going to meet resistance from the installer. If they can't get it to work, they'll blame the pre-wire and insist on doing their own cabling. You can argue with them, pay them to fix the pre-wire or deny your tenant the service they paid the vendor to install.
Second, the pre-wire needs to be thoroughly documented and instructions to installers coming on-site later on must be thorough, explicit and to code. Most landlords, etc. don't have the tech savvy to do that or the willingness to hire it done.
Pride of ownership is good in its place. However, this is an income producing asset, not intended to be an aesthetic masterpiece.
Perhaps "neatness counts", but ask yourself how it impacts your CAP rate ... ;-)
My $0.02...
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Sorry, I live by the "anything worth doing, is worth doing right" mantra. I guess some don't.
Yes, it's an income producing asset, but it's also soon to be my home. Do you allow shoddy work to be done on your home, and just sweep it under the rug?
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Timmi Ryerson
Property Manager · Ketchum, ID · Member since 2016 · 277 posts · 132 votes
9y
I don't allow tenants to install dishes period. I had enough when the installs did real damage to the building and would not take responsibility for fixing. So I installed cable. I pay the cable and internet charges and then charge the tenant for the cost with a recurring monthly utilities recovery charge. It has worked well, tenants like that they can get more news stations and even Netflix or so little per month. My buildings do not get gunked up with wires...and dishes don't work during bad weather and snow in our area ( mountains with regular snow in the winter). So that is my 2 cents worth. I would have the satellite companies remove these eyesores and patch the holes. The have the cable company install and be there when they do. Good luck.
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David Dachtera
Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
@Filipe Pereira,
In such case, "right" is a subjective judgement. Your "right" might only match your expectations. Someone else's opinion my differ.
What you may consider "shoddy" someone else may consider profitable and efficient. It's difference between a home owner and a business person - two different sets of values which don't always overlap they way we might like.
Cleanup might be considered a rehab or repair you can deduct from your taxable income at some point later on as an expense, though it improves neither the property's value nor its income.
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Right means it's not a safety hazard (like it currently is) as there wouldn't be cables dangling within reach of the 5 year olds running around the property.
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David Dachtera
Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
@Filipe Pereira,
If that's the case, then you as the landlord / property owner have an obligation to maintain safety and get those issues corrected. You can then go after the previous installers (if you can find them) to recover your costs. Until then, you may be held liable for any injuries / issues.
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Peter B.
Investor · Ogdensburg, WI · Member since 2016 · 273 posts · 351 votes
9y
A ladder and the splitting mall in the photo would take care of your problem..lol
I have a satellite addendum stating nothing can be attached to the building period... I have made that point clear with all our satellite providers.
They call me now directly before any installs.
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Filipe Pereira
OP
Property Manager · Windsor Locks, CT · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Originally posted by @David Dachtera:
@Filipe Pereira,
If that's the case, then you as the landlord / property owner have an obligation to maintain safety and get those issues corrected.
Which is exactly why I started this thread. Aesthetics is an added bonus at the end of the day. :)
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Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
Well, after researching Direct TV and preparing to meet the satellite dish installer at our property today, I arrived to find it was Dish Network that the tenant ordered! The technician and I didn't hit it off at the beginning, but by the end all went well. He didn't have a Landlord Approval Form like Direct TV. He didn't even ask me for my permission. At first he told me he would only take orders from his customer, our tenant. But after I told him that's not the way it works, since it is our building, he complied with my requests. I made him wear shoe covers when he went inside the building, they carry them with them, but unless you ask, they may not use them. I told him our goals for doing what it takes to make it work for the tenant and make it work for us. I was specific as to what was acceptable and talked his lingo, after having studied up on how installations are done. I had even watched YouTube videos about how to install this stuff, so no surprises for me!
The installer was actually very skilled in what he was doing and was a Dish employee, not a subcontractor. He came up with an idea that made the install very unobtrusive. The bracket he used attaches to the underside of the eaves and curves above the roof so no cables running over or in the gutters. When we re-roof next year, the dish won't need to be removed because it's not attached to the topside. He was able to hook up his cable to the cable line that was already installed in our building, so no drilling of holes through walls! He even took an older Dish satellite dish off the other end of the building for us and removed unused cables that were left over from previous installs. I was quite impressed with his work, noted his professionalism and I'm no longer at odds with the satellite dish installers. By the end of it all, my husband bought pizza for us all!
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