Got an Offer from a Cell Tower Company? Here’s What to Do Next
So you’ve been approached by a cell tower company, and you’ve got an offer. Your next steps are important, as they can make or break your ability to get the best possible deal that could potentially bring you great revenue for years to come. Individuals' lack of familiarity with the industry and what type of lease options they can negotiate tends to leave telecom companies with an advantage, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you know what to consider and who to ask for help. Although we never advise going through the process without professional support, these are some non-negotiable steps that you should consider after receiving an offer. At Cell Site Advisors, these steps are just a few of the non-negotiables included in working with our team on your cell tower lease agreement offer.
Thoroughly Evaluate Your Offer
It’s important to know what you’re up against when it comes to the industry standards so that you can compare them to what’s being offered. Having an awareness of the market value of your offer is crucial to knowing how much negotiating room you’ve got. Working with experienced professionals like Cell Site Advisors can eliminate the stress of trying to learn the telecommunications industry on your own. We bring our 20+ years of experience in the industry to the table, which is why our team does the research, understands property values, and knows what to look for in an offer to help you determine whether or not you’ve got the best offer.
Take Advantage of Good Timing
As appealing as any large numbers on a contract may be, it’s important not to jump at the first cell tower lease agreement offer that you receive from a company. Let the experts help you broker your deal! Taking your time helps reduce the chance of signing on a lowball offer, and it allows ample opportunity to fully understand the terms you’re agreeing to with the help of professionals. More often than not, after evaluating the offer, there’s plenty of room to negotiate, and there’s, quite simply, no need to leave that money on the table. It’s important to remember that there’s really no rush here. These processes take time, and we’re here to make sure you don’t feel pressured into an arbitrary deadline.
Watch Out For Red Flags
Once you’ve received an offer that you feel ready to accept, it’s important to fully understand the terms of your lease and look for red flags that don’t work in your best interest. Things to look for include:
Land restoration terms
Clearly outlined site access terms
Early termination ability
Taxes and maintenance costs
When you work with Cell Site Advisors during the cell tower lease negotiation process, our legal counsel handles the process of reviewing your agreement for red flags and restrictive terms so that you don’t have to. Having the peace of mind that you’re protected legally is irreplaceable.
If you’ve received a cell tower lease offer and you’re ready for support from some of the best and most experienced advisors in the industry, Cell Site Advisors is ready to hear from you! Contact us today to get started.
About the Author
Ted Unkel is a principal at Cell Site Advisors, which specializes in negotiating telecom leases and transactions for property owners. He has more than 20 years of experience in the telecom industry, mostly working in nationwide negotiations on behalf of Crown Castle, a real estate investment trust that works with landowners and property owners on cell-tower leases and real estate infrastructure.