Let's be clear, and I know this form personal experience:
If this is a Dish Upgrade, then there is never a charge for the switch, unless a contractor is trying to cheat you. There may be charges for not exchanging a box or additional cable runs that are beyond the upgrade, such as adding a box in addition of the upgrade, but not the switch. As a rule, a Dish upgrade will always include all costs (labor, switches, additional dishes, whatever) so that you continue to receive the same channels and service to all TV's as before the upgrade, and that means EVERYTHING. If the sub is adding more than that, then they may have additional charges.
An example: My aunt had a 508 (leased), 301, and 522(leased). She wanted to upgrade to an additional dual tuner DVR, the 625. Dish was very clear, if she wanted to keep the 508, there would be a one-time fee of about $50 for the box, or she could exchange the 508 for the 625 and have NO ADDITIONAL FEES other than the flat upgrade. In either case, Dish would not charge for ANY additional equipment to make the system function properly, including all switches and cable runs (I have had others upgraded the additional fee route for keeping the box that will exceed the 4 tuner limit, and Dish DOES provide all necessary switches, cable runs, dishes, EVERYTHING!)
My Aunt chose to exchange the 508 for the 625, and keep her owned 301. Her configuration at that time absolutely required at least a switch or some additional hardware from Dish to accommodate the new 625 along with her 522 and 301. Dish again, assured that ANY additional hardware required would be provided at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, as always has been the case in may experience.
Well a contractor, not Dish company, installer shows up for the upgrade, takes a look at the set-up and says, "Well, I'm gonna have to charge you for some additional equipment to make this work." I then asked if he was a Dish company installer or a contractor. "I'm a contractor." "Oh, I get it," I said.
After explaining to him that Dish guaranteed all hardware and labor is included and they know her configuration will require additional equipment, he was very insistent that in his experience that is NEVER the case and that we PAY.
Finally, exasperated, I asked, why he was being so obstinate, and he said in a loud frustrated voice, "Because this job is gonna require switches and diplexers and I don't want to pay for it!" It was at this point that I threw him out of the house, and he was really angry.
I promptly called the Executive Offices and told them the whole sad story of a contractor trying to shake us down for EXTRA money in his pockets, and that I had been through many upgrades and Dish have never required extra fees (except for instances mentioned above). The CEO CSR was extremely apologetic and stated that the installer was absolutely WRONG about additional charges, and that Dish is supposed to provide all the hardware and labor.
We were promptly rescheduled, and this time the installer knew right away that there is to be no additional charge for ANYTHING on this upgrade. However, his base had told him to ask if we use the 148 for international. They were hoping to use 148 for the new 625. They were obviously trying to minimize their cost so they could keep more of the fee Dish was paying them to do this upgrade. I responded, "Uh, we will not allow the loss of 148; figure out how to make this work." Then base told him to ask us if we would mind a 3rd dish to accommodate the 625. We had no problem with that, but I knew this was another move by the base to keep more of the fee Dish is paying them for themselves. Switches can be more expensive than a dish (Yes he had switches--he could have used them).
I could have called Executive Offices again and MADE the contractor put in necessary switches to minimize the gross number of dishes on her roof, instead of the 3rd dish on the roof. That is how Dish installers would have done it. But the 3rd Dish was not an issue.
I do know of at least one honest, high quality independent Dish retailer. Unfortunately, every other one had been somewhat dishonest. That is a shame.