Satellite installers set up and service dish systems for homes, businesses, RVs, boats, and multi-dwelling buildings. They bill for TV dish installs, satellite internet setups, dish alignment and repositioning, cable runs, and troubleshooting calls. Many work as independent contractors for providers, while others run their own shop and invoice customers directly.
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Most satellite installers price by the job rather than by the hour. A standard single-dish residential install is a flat fee, with add-ons for extra receivers, long cable runs, roof mounts, wall fishing, and additional TV connections. Service calls and realignments are usually a flat trip charge plus a time component after the first hour. Parts such as cable, splitters, LNBs, grounding blocks, and mounts are billed at cost plus a markup, often 20 to 50 percent. Commercial and multi-dwelling work is often quoted per drop or per dish, or by the day for large crews. Installers who subcontract for providers are often paid a fixed rate per work order, so direct customer invoices should be itemized separately and clearly.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard residential dish install (single dish, 1-2 TVs) | flat fee | $100-250 |
| Satellite internet install (dish, modem, Wi-Fi setup) | flat fee | $150-350 |
| Additional TV or receiver connection | per room | $25-75 |
| Dish realignment or signal troubleshooting | per visit | $75-150 |
| Roof mount or pole mount install | per mount | $50-150 |
| Cable run through walls or attic (beyond standard) | per hour | $60-100 |
| RV or marine dish setup | flat fee | $150-400 |
| Dish removal and disposal | flat fee | $50-100 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite TV dish install, roof mount, 18-inch dish with Ka/Ku LNB | 1 job | $175.00 | $175.00 |
| Additional TV connection, living room and bedroom (cable run and receiver setup) | 2 room | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| RG6 coax cable, outdoor-rated, beyond included 50 ft | 75 ft | $0.75 | $56.25 |
| Grounding block and ground wire kit | 1 kit | $18.00 | $18.00 |
| Existing dish removal and haul away | 1 job | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Total | $409.25 | ||
Notes: Install completed 3/14. Signal strength tested at 85+ on all transponders. Payment due within 14 days. Workmanship is warranted for 90 days; equipment warranty is through the provider or manufacturer.
Satellite jobs are tied to a specific site and line of sight, and the address supports warranty claims and repeat visits.
Serial numbers prove what was installed and help the customer with provider activation, returns, or warranty claims.
Mount location affects price and liability if the customer later has roof leaks or needs the dish moved.
Customers dispute lump sums more often than itemized lines, and itemizing keeps your materials markup transparent.
Recording signal strength shows the system worked when you left and helps if reception problems come up later.
Some states and localities require a license or registration for low-voltage or satellite work, and showing it on the invoice avoids questions.
A stated workmanship warranty, such as 90 days or one year, sets expectations for callbacks on alignment or leaks.
Residential installers commonly collect payment on completion, by card, check, or digital payment, and send an invoice the same day for anyone who cannot pay on site. Net 14 is typical for invoiced residential work, while commercial and property management accounts often run net 30. Large multi-dwelling or commercial jobs usually take a deposit of 25 to 50 percent to cover equipment, with progress payments tied to phases like cabling and head-end work. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are common if stated in writing before the work begins. If you subcontract for a provider, expect their own payment schedule, often weekly or biweekly, and keep those work orders separate from direct customer billing.
Extra TV drops, longer cable runs, and wall fishing are where most margin is. Confirm the number of rooms and the routing before starting, and write the add-ons on the invoice as separate lines.
Realignments after storms, tree growth, or customer-moved dishes burn time and fuel. A flat trip charge of $50 to $75 plus time after the first hour keeps small calls worth taking.
Take photos of the mount, sealed penetrations, and the finished alignment. Attach or reference them if a customer later blames you for a leak or a shifted dish.
If you also do work for a provider, never mix those work orders with direct invoices. Track the per-job rate, any chargebacks, and what you billed the customer for extras the provider did not cover.
Satellite customers are often far from town. Add a mileage or travel line past a set radius, such as 25 miles, so the drive time does not come out of your margin.
Flat fees work best for standard installs because customers can compare them easily. Use hourly rates for troubleshooting, long cable runs, or anything where the time is hard to predict, and state the rate on the invoice.
Yes, if you are supplying the parts. A markup of 20 to 50 percent over cost is common to cover sourcing, warranty risk, and carrying inventory. Show parts as separate lines so the markup is not hidden in labor.
It depends on your state and locality. Some require a low-voltage, electrical, or specialty contractor license for this work, while others do not. Check with your state licensing board and local building department, and list your license number on invoices if you have one.
Keep two records. The provider pays you for the work order under your agreement with them, and you bill the customer directly only for items outside that scope, such as extra drops or custom mounting. Label the customer invoice with the extras only, and note the work order number for reference.
Send a written reminder with the invoice, install date, and signed work order or photos. If it stays unpaid, follow your stated late fee terms and consider small claims court, which is commonly used for amounts within local limits.
Send a Satellite Installer estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Satellite Installer estimate template