Anybody have a cell tower on their property?

Tom@Hilltop_Machine

Tom@Hilltop_Machine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Location
Rural Retreat, VA
I have been approached by a wireless carrier to build a cell tower on my property and wanted to reach out to anyone that has done this and discuss the pros and cons of it.
I will be contacting a cell tower attorney Monday and see how much they charge to write up a lease for me.
 
Aside from a god aweful eyesore? Next to free income is good. Unless it pissed some neighbor off that I had a grudge with or was way the hell off on the back forty I could not look at something like that everyday.
 
This is 3rd hand information from an account that I call on that has one on their (business) property:

It is a very lengthy contract, that basically has no premature out. Once they build it, they sure as shit aren't going to move it, so you need to be ok with it.
They will pay handsomely, but only to a certain point. Yours is likely not the only site they've considered and if you push too hard for more $ or whatever else, they can and will easily find someone else.
Once its in place, you will likely not see too much going on with it in terms of service calls, upgrades, etc. that would be cause for crews to be on your property. However, if and when they do need to get to it, because of FCC regulations and priority, they are going to be able to get to it at any time.
Additionally, there is a chance that the contract will require some greater right of way access that could include a significant portion of your property, again, on their terms.

The potential $ that you could bring in could be significant however. The fella that I'm speaking about brings in a sizable chunk of extra "income" simply by having it on his property. Something along the lines of it covering his mortgage and some of the associated utilities/bills. Also, it is at his business's shop, so he doesn't have to see it when he goes home at night.

That being said....

Even with the extra land that we have here, I sure wouldn't be comfortable giving up access rights to my property. Definitely speak with a lawyer AND a few real estate professionals. If you're ever planning on moving or selling your place, this could be a HUGE issue. Value, insurance, etc.
 
What carrier is it? Will they put one on my property?
 
tknopp said:
I figured that and that is why I want to speak with someone that has a tower and get an idea of what a good number would be.
Click to expand...
Guy at work has one on his property. Verizon just renued his contact for 30 more years. I believe they pay him $800 a month. He is in rural shelby. Location and carrier is the big factor with payment. It's a 1 acre plot with right of way. They put $30k worth of gravel to the tower and perform regular maintenance. Verizon and AT&T have built 7 towers this year all within 5-10 miles from me. (I live in a mountain range) All towers are cut off due to radio interference with local police and fire. I still have to use a house phone due to no cell service. Also if they lease tower space to another carrier, you should recieve compensation. But like someone said before..they are still building towers and if your contract isn't desirable, they will just move on to the next guy. Good luck to you!
 
Is it a carrier, or a tower company? Tower companies will build the tower, then sublet to as many carriers as possible making major money, but paying you the same.
Carriers will do the same eventually, they will just make sure their antennas are at the top first.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
jeepinmatt said:
What carrier is it? Will they put one on my property?
Click to expand...
I know from local property owners that if your approached by a company..the "details" have to be kept quiet until the tower is built. Let's say the details leak out and Joe next door contacts "the carrier," and says "you can build it on my property for x amounts less" then carrier builds it on Joe's property. true story.
 
Oddball side note.
If you are a ham radio operator, it has been written it into contracts that ham radio antennas are put on the tower and maintained free of charge.
A rough guesstimate of an average height of 125 feet, that would rock!

Matt
 
Guy at work has one on his land it's not even turned on he's getting around 1500 a month
 
I used to do lots of work on cell tower sites and don't have lease info but make sure they put the gates on the access road at the entrance on the road and not down into the property so it doesn't become a parking or dumping zone for the locals...and get free phone service for life!
 
tkeaton said:
$1500/month for 30 years, allowing for keeping up with inflation.....

I live beside a norfolksouthern freight line and get no compensation. A cell tower doesn't sound bad when thats the ballpark $ we're talking.

Granted, a train track doesn't give anyone cancer....:eek:
Click to expand...
Things that travel that train line do though. Just saying.
 
What happens when the lease expires? Are they required to remove the tower?
 
tkeaton said:
$1500/month for 30 years, allowing for keeping up with inflation.....
Click to expand...

That's a long time - and a lot of cash now - but consider inflation, in 30 years it's be worth like < 1/2 as much as today.
I'd want either a short contract or a requirement that the amount increases by 2% or something to adjust for inflation.
Otherwise by the end, you're the chump getting paid peanuts.

Also I'd find out about transferability and what happens when you sell the land - does the contract automatically transfer etc.
This is where the future value of the payment becomes an issue
 
RatLabGuy said:
Also I'd find out about transferability and what happens when you sell the land - does the contract automatically transfer etc.
This is where the future value of the payment becomes an issue
Click to expand...

I would consider having that piece of land written off onto a seperate deed, so that if I decided to move or sell the rest of the land, I could keep that income.
 
I have no experience with it from a property owner standpoint, but I've been directly involved with the permitting process for them, one that even went to court. I'll just say don't count on the extra income until the tower is actually built! I've worked on 6 cell tower permits since I've been in my field. 5 of the 6 were permitted, one went to court and that one is the only one of the 6 that's has been built and is functioning. As a property owner, I'd be interested in who is representing the company during the application process and hearings of there are any. Groups that have an attorney on staff and there during the hearings know their shit and are way more invested in the project.

From what I understand, the money you get off the property lease is based on how many carriers jump on the tower.

I'd look at a subdivision of the lot and split the parcel off if you can. Make sure you meet minimum lot size for the tower. That way it's not directly tied in to your home property should you ever try and sell.
 
Back
Top