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Are there any alternatives to BT for a phone line in a new build property?

Our expert says...

Hello Sharon, this is a really good question, and one that frequently gets sent into Homephonechoices.co.uk.

Many people are under the impression that when you move into a new house, BT (www.bt.com) has to connect your phone line, and you must sign-up to a minimum contract for your calls with them. However, BT is not the only home phone provider that can install lines - there are a number of alternatives.

Free installation		Fastest setup
Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474
£0 with Calls Broadband + TV	£0 with Calls Broadband + TV £35 otherwise	£69 connection charge	£69.99 connection charge	£127.99 BT connection charge
Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *	Setup usually within 2 weeks. Plus you can normally keep your number. Virgin Media also offers a 28 day money back guarantee *	Setup between 3 and 5 days normally	Setup within 20 days for new line installations. If you are switching from Virgin Media, you can keep this line until your new one has been installed *	Setup within 4 working days for a connection, and up to 16 working days for new line installations *
Call BT now 0800 028 4474	Find out more VirginMedia.com	Call Primus now 0800 036 0170	Call TalkTalk now 0800 049 7834	Call BT now 0800 028 4474

* All providers allow you to select a convenient appointment on a suitable date when you place your order online. However, line setup times will typically depend on the availability of an engineer, and other factors, such as the number of concurrent line installations in your area.

Read our guide to phone line installation options for more information and a quick overview of which providers can install your landline.

If you’re moving into a new build house you don’t have to sign-up to BT either, even if the phone points in your house are BT points. Read more information below…

Line installation alternatives to BT

Even if the phone points in your new house are BT points, you don’t necessarily have to sign-up to a contract with BT or have your line installed by them.

If it’s a brand new development you will need to check if the developers have a prior agreement with a telephone provider for set-up. If the developers have only provided the wiring and connection boxes in the home then in most cases you’ll be free to choose who installs the line and who you take your calls with.

BT currently charges £127.99 for line installation, but there are cheaper alternatives – especially if you’re looking to bundle your home phone, broadband and digital TV services.

You can have a phone line installed by Sky (www.sky.com) for £39 - a saving of £88.99 compared to BT. Line rental from Sky is also cheaper, at £11 a month, with paper billing at no extra cost. It’s important to note that Sky Talk is only available to customers who sign-up to Sky TV, so this deal may only be worth it if you are also considering having Sky TV installed in your new home.

TalkTalk (www.talktalk.co.uk) also offers an attractive installation deal for both new customers and existing customers who are moving to a new house. If you already pay your line rental to TalkTalk in your old house, you can have a line installed at your new address for just £29.99. If you’ve not previously been a TalkTalk customer, the cost of line installation is £69.99 - both these options are cheaper than landline connection from BT. You can bundle your home phone and broadband services with TalkTalk.

TalkTalk recommends signing up with them 14 days prior to moving in to your new property, to ensure that the line is installed and working. Call 0800 049 1423 to arrange installation by TalkTalk.

It is worth noting that if you do sign-up to a provider that offers it’s own phone network, such as Sky or TalkTalk, if you ever want to switch to another provider you may be liable to pay the connection fee charged by BT (currently £127.99).

The table below shows how the various line installation options compare:

BT line installation offer

While the information above outlines the alternatives to having a phone line installed by BT, you should not dismiss the telecommunications giant, as BT is currently offering free line installation for all new customers that take a triple-play package, bundling their home phone, broadband and digital TV.

It’s important you weigh up the costs of both the installation and the calls package you’re after, as well as what services are more important to you. If your digital TV service is your priority, then it may be as well to take all three services from Sky, or indeed Virgin Media, but if you’d rather not pay a monthly subscription for TV and are considering Freeview, then line installation and calls from another provider may be more cost-effective in the long term.

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

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