Removing a satellite dish costs an average of $150, but it can cost between $100 and $500. A pro will decide the cost depending on the size of the dish and removal challenges.
Even if you made the switch to streaming your TV and movies long ago, you may still be stuck with that old satellite dish. While costs to remove a satellite dish typically range from $100 to $500, most people pay around $150. However, lots of factors can add to your cost, including repairs and removing additional parts.
While it's a fairly simple project, several factors influence how much you'll pay for a satellite dish removal.
Where you live impacts how much you'll spend on satellite dish removal. While you can expect to pay on the lower end of this cost range in rural areas, you can pay up to 75% more in city centers for satellite dish removal. This is also due, in part, to cities tending to build vertically, so apartments and houses above three stories are common. The higher the pro has to go, the more they may charge to compensate for their increased risk.
Whether your dish is mounted on your roof or on a pole in your yard significantly impacts the cost to remove it. If you've got a roof-mounted satellite dish, you'll pay from $80 for simple, low-difficulty removal or up to $500 for a high-risk, difficult job.
Removing a satellite dish from a pole is a mid-priced option, at around $150. Removing the pole itself would cost extra and may require the services of a local handyperson. Most people have pole installations if their property's roof is excessively high, steep, or would otherwise make satellite installation too expensive or difficult, as this helps to reduce cost.
Removing a satellite dish from a single-story home with a gently pitching roof costs closer to $80. However, a steeply pitched roof on a 3-story property or higher will set you back closer to $500.
The steeper the pitch and the higher the dish, the greater the risk and difficulty, and the more time the job takes, so the more you pay in labor costs. Aside from the increased time, you may also pay an upcharge of around $30 per story.
While most dishes are of a similar size, extra-large dishes may cost up to $50 extra to remove. You may also find there's a $10 to $25 upcharge for disposing of bigger dishes. Out-sized satellite dishes are more common in remote areas where the signal is weak or spotty.
While many pros give you one all-inclusive price, others don't, so be super clear with what you want and what's included in your quote before you sign the contract. Disposing of the old dish can incur an additional fee of up to $50, depending on the size of the dish and how far the contractor has to haul it. Removing the satellite plate foot is another common add-on service that can set you back an additional $30 to $60.
While they're up on your roof, your satellite contractor may spot roof damage, from missing shingles to cracked vent boosting, damaged flashing, or problematic gutters. If that happens, you'll want to get it taken care of as soon as possible, as roof repair costs can quickly spiral if the issue is left for too long.
Plus, if the roof starts to leak, you'll have even higher costs. So you'll need to hire a local roofing contractor ASAP. Typically, roof repair costs between $360 and $1,550.
You have several options for getting rid of your old satellite dish. First, contact your service provider. Many companies, including Dish Network or Direct TV, accept old dishes for recycling or disposal at no charge. However, if your provider doesn’t offer drop-off locations, you may have to pay for shipping.
If these services aren't available, your local electronic recycling center or scrap yard might accept old dishes. You should check their website or call before making the trip to confirm because some places limit the amount of electronic waste they will accept. Additionally, some e-waste facilities may collect a drop-off fee. If none of these options are possible, you’ll have to hire a junk removal service, which costs an average of $240.
Labor costs typically make up the bulk of the removal expense. Pros charge for the time and expertise required to dismount the dish safely. On average, labor fees range from $100 to $250, but prices may be higher for hard-to-reach installations or if a licensed contractor because of structural issues.
Regarding equipment, pros bring their own basic tools, like ladders and wrenches, at no charge to homeowners. However, if specialized equipment like a crane or scaffolding is needed—common for larger dishes or those mounted on high rooftops—this can significantly increase the overall price.
Theoretically, removing a satellite dish is a fairly simple job that you may be able to tackle yourself. You'll save 100% of the labor costs involved in this project, making the DIY route an attractive option. However, remember, you'll likely be working at height, balancing on a ladder, and you'll need to lower and haul away the dish safely. Remember to follow safety tips for working on your roof, including working with a partner and only going up in good weather. You’ll also need specific tools like drills, wrenches, and screwdrivers, which can add to the cost if you don’t have these on hand.
If you're an enthusiastic DIYer who is comfortable working on the roof, you can remove the dish yourself and install the new one for as little as $100, including the cost of the dish, with a widely available installation kit. With basic dish kits starting at $100, this works out to be a fairly inexpensive DIY project.
Hire a pro if you don't have great balance or experience working on your roof. Similarly, if you need to remove a dish on a property higher than a single story, let a local satellite specialist do the work, as they have all the right safety gear and solid experience.
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Yes, you can remove a satellite dish yourself. Just be sure that you feel confident in the job as it requires you to climb a ladder and work on the roof. As working on the roof can be quite dangerous even for experienced DIYers, it’s recommended that you call in a local satellite dish installer.
Many roofers remove satellite dishes as part of their services, especially during roof repairs or replacements. However, they typically won’t reconnect or reinstall the dish. If you no longer need the dish, roofers can dispose of it, but for reuse, you may need a satellite technician to handle reinstallation.
If the system is no longer in use, it may be safe to cut your satellite dish cable. However, you must be very careful and ensure that there is no voltage. Check for live voltage with a multimeter and only proceed if safe. You may want to hire a professional to do the job, just in case.
This depends on your provider, but generally, no you do not have to return your dish satellite once you’ve canceled your service. Your best bet is to take the dish to an appropriate recycling center, arrange for a junk removal service to come pick it up, or even rent a dumpster.
