Do I have to sign a contract to get a new phone line installed?

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Our expert says...

Dear Howard, thanks for getting in touch about getting a new phone line installed.

Unfortunately it is not currently possible to get a phone line installed without also signing up to a contract with the home phone provider - there isn’t a flat fee that you can pay for the line installation.

With this in mind, it’s important you weigh-up the options available to you, before committing to a 12 or 18-month contract with a particular provider.

BT isn’t the only provider that can install lines - others such as TalkTalk, Primus and Sky all install or reconnect landlines.

But just because one provider offers line installation for cheaper than another provider, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily the right provider for you.

Below is some more information about finding the best provider to install your new phone line and some tips on how to keep the cost of the installation down…

Getting a new phone line installed

BT and other providers, such as TalkTalk, Sky and Primus, use overhead copper wiring to deliver their phone services. If this is not currently installed in your property, you will have to contact a provider to have the work done by an engineer. This usually takes between 10 and 14 days from the day you place the order.

All providers, including BT, will charge for line installation, and prices vary from £30 to £130. For a guide on how much the different companies charge, check out our phone line installation article.

You may be able to reduce the cost of having a line installed by signing up for a “bundled” package, taking more than one service from the same provider, such as your broadband or TV. Signing up for a home phone and broadband bundle can be a great way of reducing your monthly household bills.

Getting a cable phone line installed

If you live in an area that can receive cable services, you should consider getting a cable phone line installed by Virgin Media. Virgin Media is the UK’s largest cable phone provider, offering its 13 million customers home phone, super-fast broadband and digital TV money-saving packages.

If you want to get a cable phone line, a Virgin Media engineer will need to visit your house and physically install the cable wiring, if it isn’t already there (some new-build properties may come with cable phone lines already installed). The good news though is that Virgin Media keeps the cost of line installation low - anywhere between free and around £35 - depending on what offers are available at any given time.

Phone line installation: Other things to consider

Because you will be tied into a 12 or 18-month home phone contract with the provider you choose to install your line, it’s important you look at the call plans, call charges and line rental they offer.

While line installation with one provider may seem cheap, their call charges may be higher than other providers’ - so you could end up spending more money on your home phone bills overall. Add up all the costs involved, and make sure you sign-up to a provider that’s going to be cost effective for you in the long-term.

For more information, read these useful guides:

• Alternatives to BT for a landline in a new build house
• Phone line installation options
• How to get a new phone line

Remember, always do a postcode search first to find out which providers are available in your area, then review the packages on offer by comparing line rental, as well as call rates.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@homephonechoices.co.uk