Cable bills are becoming more and more expensive, which is leading families to cut the cord and turn to stream services like Netflix or Hulu. If you’re sick of your cable bill but still want to watch things like local news and sports, though, you might feel stuck.
You don’t have to be — getting a TV antenna will let you stay updated on local channels without having to pay a super high cable bill.
However, you will still have to pay for installation, since this is not a DIY project you can tackle in a day. Let’s break down the cost of a TV antenna installation.
Size of the Antenna
How many channels do you want to watch? Are you determined to get every channel in range, or are you okay with just a few basic channels?
The size of the antenna will determine which signals reach you. Digital TV signals use two different frequency ranges: Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).
VHF signals are harder to pick up, so you need more surface area to receive them. This means you need a bigger antenna if a lot of the channels you want to watch are broadcast using VHF.
The bigger the antenna, the stronger the signal — and the more expensive to buy and install.
Where You Live
Where you live plays a huge part in the TV antenna installation cost.
Your location is going to play a part in the labor costs, for example. Some states may have higher labor costs than others, which will affect your bottom line.
It’s not just your zip code that changes the price, though. Are there a lot of trees in your area? Do you live in an area that’s surrounded by mountains?
Those environmental factors will affect both how the signal gets to your house and how the electricians install your antenna.
Location in Your Home
Most outdoor antennas are installed on a home roof. If you choose to have it installed somewhere else — like your attic, for example — your cost is going to go up.
Attics aren’t nearly as accessible as rooftops are, so it’s more expensive to have an antenna installed there. It’s also harder to run the cables and ground the antenna if you have it installed there.
This could push your price up to the high end of around $500-$550 for installation.
You might find higher prices even if you install the antenna on your roof. If it’s in an area that’s hard to reach, the electrician will have to use special equipment to install your antenna. You might have to pay extra for that.
Get Connected with a TV Antenna Installation
When it’s all said and done, it will probably cost you somewhere between $200 to $400 to buy and install an outdoor TV antenna. Still, compared to the cost of cable these days, the TV antenna installation cost is a bargain!
Looking for more information on all things money-related? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our finance blog posts.
