Self-install vs professional install: which is right for your campsite?

One of the most common questions we get from campsite and glamping site owners is whether they should install WiFi themselves or hire someone to do it. The answer isn't the same for every site, it depends on your site's size, complexity, your technical confidence and your budget.

We offer both options, so we have no horse in this race. Here's an honest guide to help you decide.

When self-install makes sense

Our pre-configured self-install kits are designed for sites where the installation challenge is straightforward. Self-install is a good fit when:

• Your site is relatively small, up to 30–40 pitches, or you're covering a single building and its immediate outdoor area
• The terrain is flat and open, good line of sight between access points, no significant obstacles
• You're comfortable mounting equipment and following instructions, it's not electrician-level work, but it does involve drilling, cable runs and some basic configuration
• Budget is the primary constraint, self-install is significantly cheaper because you're paying for equipment rather than labour
• You want European coverage, our self-install kits ship across the EU, so they're often the best option for continental European campsites

Our self-install kits arrive pre-configured with your WiFi name and login settings. Setup typically takes 2–4 hours for a starter kit. We include full installation guides and UK-based phone support if you get stuck.

When professional installation makes sense

There are site types and scenarios where self-install simply isn't the right approach:

• Large or complex sites, 50+ pitches, multiple buildings, long cable runs or significant changes in elevation
• Dense tree cover, trees absorb WiFi signal significantly; a professional survey can design around this where a DIY approach can't
• You want direct-to-pitch or in-unit coverage, this requires careful AP placement and a designed network, not kit-in-a-box
• You want the free-install commercial model, this only works as a professionally managed service
• You don't have time, a professional team can install a medium site in a day or two; self-install on a complex site can take weeks of trial and error
• You want an SLA, professional installations come with ongoing management, monitoring and guaranteed response times

The honest cost comparison

For a 20-pitch campsite with good line of sight:

• Self-install kit: from £350 one-off (covers equipment for this scale)
• Professional installation: £1,600–£2,500 including design, labour and equipment

The self-install option is typically 3–5× cheaper. But professional installation comes with guaranteed coverage, remote monitoring, SLA-backed support, and a system that's designed rather than assembled.

For a 100-pitch site with trees and varied terrain:

• Self-install: Not recommended, the complexity will lead to coverage gaps and significant frustration
• Professional installation: £4,500–£8,000 depending on coverage spec

Can I start with self-install and upgrade later?

Yes, many sites do exactly this. Start with a self-install kit for communal areas, assess the demand, then upgrade to a full professional installation when the site grows or when the business case is clear. We can incorporate existing cabling and switching into a professional installation in most cases.

What happens when something goes wrong?

This is the key difference. With self-install, you're the first line of support. Our team is available by phone and email to help, but you'll need to be prepared to do some troubleshooting yourself. For most operators, this is fine, the issues that come up are usually straightforward.

With professional installation and a managed service, we monitor your network remotely and often identify and fix issues before you're even aware of them. An access point dropping offline at 2am triggers an alert in our systems, not a guest complaint at breakfast.