BT new line charge - advice needed urgently!

[birdbrain]

I'm buying a new build flat and just called BT (I'm already a customer of theirs) to ask for a new number and to tell them I'm moving and they told me that they would charge me £75 to install a new line in my flat!

Please can anyone advise me on this? Is this normal? Should I go elsewhere?

[vixpy1]

Its normal for BT .. not sure about other providers.

[jvaughan]

birdbrain said:

I'm buying a new build flat and just called BT (I'm already a customer of theirs) to ask for a new number and to tell them I'm moving and they told me that they would charge me £75 to install a new line in my flat! Please can anyone advise me on this? Is this normal? Should I go elsewhere?

you should beable to get a Relocation deal.. ie they give you a new number and line, they foot the installation, cos they make off you with the call charges and the standing charges.

I would be looking around if i was you.. Why should you have to pay to give someone your buisness?

[birdbrain]

No, I totally agree. I will look at other providers and see if I can get a better deal.

If anyone's got any advice on who to ask/avoid, then I'd be grateful for the info!

Thanks guys.

[mx5alive]

If there is currently no line installed then they will make a charge for the initial installation. If you are taking over an existing line with your own number then they shouldn't charge for the new line just to transfer your number.

Most telecoms firms will charge if you have to instal a completely new line, regardless of being an existing customer.

Edited to add. BTW they used to charge much more than that for a new line install My mate was charged in XS of £200 for his first phone line.

>> Edited by mx5alive on Tuesday 18th January 12:14

[zetec]

Had the same problem in my new build house, IIRC £100 for connection. Local cable company installed a line for £10.

Edit to add: Most cable companies will also have some pretty good deals going as well.

>> Edited by zetec on Tuesday 18th January 12:19

[mcflurry]

When I moved in, BT wanted £99+VAT... Telewest wanted £30 until I called them. Got free installation after offering to buy their tv service (£3 a month extra and all local calls became free)

[stone]

I wouldn't be surprised if you find that there is already a BT line installed which was put in by BT whilst the build was going on. They now want someone to pay for it I had the same problem with a new build where a BT line was installed - £75 to turn it on which after interrogation I found out involved pressing a button. I opted for NTL (I know!!) in the end due to free installation

[KentishS2]

This may have changed but I had an NTL digital phone line installed FOC (new line and faster on dial up than BT) and this also included a digi box for television with numerous channales and all for the same cost as a BT phone line.

Worth looking into!

[wedge girl]

Telewest did a great deal for me, new line, broadband, no installation charges and two months free.

[birdbrain]

I've tried NTL and they say there's no cable to the development so I would still have to have a BT landline. This really pisses me off, BT are expecting me to pay for the privilege of staying their customer.

[andy_vtec]

birdbrain said:

I've tried NTL and they say there's no cable to the development so I would still have to have a BT landline. This really pisses me off, BT are expecting me to pay for the privilege of staying their customer.

Yep, BT still owns the "Local Loop" (Exchange to property) connections, so unless you want a completely digital/cable setup (NTL/Telewest etc) you will have to spend some cash with BT to get them to install the last few feet of BT Cabling.

[parrot of doom]

/devils advocate

Why should BT pay from their own pocket to install a line at your new house? It can take several hours for an engineer to do this in a worst case scenario, you think you should get that for nothing?