Engineer visit lead time

[#1]

Is there any information on the sort of lead time when booking an engineer for upgrading to full fibre.

We're frequently away from our house, sometimes for extended periods so we'll have to co-ordinate our travels with an engineer's visit.

[#2]

@fudoka You won't know, until you place an upgrade order, what the engineer availability is.

[#3]

Hi @fudoka 

It depends on the type of installation Openreach have on their records for your property, which you can check here.

If it's a 1-stage installation, then the lead time is usually anywhere from around a minimum of three working days, but when you go through the process online, it'll give you a list of provisional appointments.

Alternatively, if it's what we call a KCI-Assure order or stage two order, then there's further external work Openreach will need to do to provide you with service before they can commit to an installation date

[#4]

That's going to be really awkward if the only time I can get an engineer is when I'm not there.

What I'm looking for is some sort of idea of timing in terms of days, weeks , months. If I've got at least a vague idea I can start the process rolling while I'm away from the house and arrange an engineer for when I return.

When signing up for the upgrade to FF can I break out of the break out of the process if I can't schedule an engineer's visit in the timespan I need?

[#5]

Not being a BT engineer I  don't know whether it would be a 1-stage install.

Can you take a gander at the screenshot and let me know what you think please?

[#6 · Accepted solution]

Thanks @fudoka 

The screenshot confirms it's a one-stage visit, which means they should be able to do it all on the day.

When you go through the signup journey, I believe you should be able to choose up to around 28/42 days in advance, and you can back out before putting the order through if any of the dates doesn't suit you.

[#7]

Not being a BT engineer I  don't know whether it would be a 1-stage install.

@fudoka Matthew has answered the question but for completeness , its what is shown in the 'FTTP Install process' column on the availability results you posted. 

[#8]

Many thanks for your input 😁

[#9]

Thanks for the info.

As usual, once pointed out, it's obvious (like the spelling mistakes in an email you spot AFTER you hit send) 😖

[#10]

@fudoka 

I believe you're able to change an appointment to a later date if the one given is not suitable. Note you'll be given a provisional date first before it gets confirmed.

Brian

[#11]

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@fudoka wrote:

Is there any information on the sort of lead time when booking an engineer for upgrading to full fibre.

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This is a very good question.

One extra point worth making is, if you are in a PN non FF contract and elect to change to FF, to do so well before your existing contract end date. Otherwise you may end up paying out of contract charges before the new FF contract is 'GO'. The PN systems do not seem to allow for this eventuality.

I was changed from FTTC with landline phone to FF and, despite the physical FF work proving in practice to be very easy, simple and straightforward it actually involved visits by different Openreach engineers on three separate dates (one without an appointment), plus a delay by Openreach ("...due to high demand for fibre in your area.") and took over 6 weeks to complete from the end of the old FTTC contract. 

Don't ask!