Engineer Free Fibre Install

Hello. I'm looking to get fibre broadband - currently on adsl - but not keen on having to have an engineer call at the house as I don't really want to have a day off work for that.
Just called plusnet, but I've been told an engineer would have to call to change the faceplate. Really? To take 2 screws out, put new face plate on and refix?
I thought engineer installs were likely to be optional now - just needed at the cabinet rather than in the house.
So, is there a list of ISPs who do offer 'engineer free' installs?
Thanks.

Sky standard up to 40Mbits and infinity option 1 are now self install I believe
ISPs seem to be taking a very cautious approach to self install

Edited by deleted (Thu 13-Mar-14 21:00:44)

An engineer install is best, not because of the supplied vdsl filtered faceplate ( which is superior to the plug in type of adsl filters) or the BT openreach branded modem known to work properly unlike BT's HH5 modem/router , but the engineer should run several tests from your master socket ,before he leaves just incase there are any issues with the line, or the work done at the PCP as this if botched can result in your phone not working

Edited by tommy45 (Thu 13-Mar-14 21:30:42)

In reply to a post by tonytiger07:

but not keen on having to have an engineer call at the house as I don't really want to have a day off work for that.

It is well worth it. Go for it.

Thanks for replying everyone. It looks like there's no way 'round it as I want an 80/20 package. Leaning towards BT - was looking at plusnet but they don't offer all the phone bolt-ons that BT do for some reason.
Now of course I'm told that the engineer appointment slot is basically am or pm - they can't be more specific - how is it so difficult?

In reply to a post by tonytiger07:

Now of course I'm told that the engineer appointment slot is basically am or pm - they can't be more specific - how is it so difficult?

Because the appointment before yours may be allocated 1 hour but take 15 minutes or maybe 2 hours. Either that or someone has to absorb te cost of BT Techs sitting around idle because they build slack into appointment times.

In reply to a post by MHC:

In reply to a post by tonytiger07:

Now of course I'm told that the engineer appointment slot is basically am or pm - they can't be more specific - how is it so difficult?

Because the appointment before yours may be allocated 1 hour but take 15 minutes or maybe 2 hours. Either that or someone has to absorb te cost of BT Techs sitting around idle because they build slack into appointment times.

Yes I know they can't give exact times - but if you're the first appointment they could say that - they could even charge a premium I'd have thought to book the first appointment. And if they allocate 4 appointments for an engineer in the morning slot, but each one takes 2 hours - then what? I still think they could be more specific than 8am-1pm or 1pm to 6pm.

But then there are the occasions like when my new neighbour had fibre installed a couple of weeks ago. It was a new line as well because the property has never had a phone.

The engineer turned up as 8am and finally left around 3pm.

In reply to a post by simon194:

But then there are the occasions like when my new neighbour had fibre installed a couple of weeks ago. It was a new line as well because the property has never had a phone.

The engineer turned up as 8am and finally left around 3pm.

But BT would know that and build in extra time to an appointment.

Some years back BT did offer early or late AM and PM slots but it did not work as you just can not tell how long a job will take.

The line was physically install by 9am because it only had to come from the pole on the opposite side of the road so I doubt BT would have built in 6 hours extra to get the line up and running.

FTTC or FTTP?

BT Appointments are a joke...

The number of lost days I've had waiting on engineers is unreal. Since they cant even get there lucrative GEA services installed on time (Where there is a pre existing optical path) and we pay lots for that don't get your hopes up for your home DSL line.

If your really unlucky you won't even get a BT engineer, but a contractor from Kelly or someone who doesn't have or know how to use a tester...

BT Appoint only as AM and PM, engineers are given a number of jobs per day as allocated by a controller or resource allocator, each job has a target completion time and we have had engineers walk off site because they have run out of time & need to move on to the next job. AM is from 08:00-13:00 PM is 13:00-17:00 (I think) if your job is booked and needs any 'special' kit like an access platform for example to access a D-Pole then you need to hope & pray someone booked that out (its a separate resource) or you get an engineer turn up without a hoist sits there for an hour or 2 then tells you its going to be a no-show and they will have to re appoint the job.

But BT would know that and build in extra time to an appointment.

Err, no. Tasks are allotted 'standard' task times, normally between 1 and 2 hours. There are often unforeseen instances encountered on jobs, the whole work allocation system has to be quite 'loose'.

Yes I know they can't give exact times - but if you're the first appointment they could say that

The system that allocates work doesn't 100% know who gets what and where until the very last minute, so although it might be pondering giving engineer X task Y first thing tomorrow, maybe it finds a task more suitable, or a total care task drops in that takes priority. Maybe engineer Z rings in sick, or his van breaks down, so then X has to go cover his task instead. It really is quite a lottery.

engineers are given a number of jobs per day as allocated by a controller or resource allocator,

Not entirely true. Some are handed 'tours' of work, many take one task at a time, finishing that before plugging in to pick up the next task.