What affects the price of TV mounting

The wall

• Drywall over wood studs: the most common and the most straightforward. The mount bolts into studs.
• Plaster: harder to drill without cracking; studs are harder to find.
• Brick, block or stone: needs masonry anchors and more drilling time.
• Metal studs: need special anchors rated for the load.

The wall type is the first thing we ask about, because it changes both the hardware and the time.

The mount

A fixed mount holds the TV flat against the wall and is the quickest to install. A tilting mount angles the screen down, useful when the TV sits high. A full-motion arm swings out and turns, which needs studs in the right place and more careful leveling.

Heavier, larger TVs on full-motion arms need the most care. If you already bought a mount, we check that it is rated for your TV and the wall before installing.

TV size and height

Bigger TVs are heavier and awkward to lift, often needing two people. Mounting high, such as over a fireplace or in a room with tall ceilings, means taller ladders and careful work above furniture. We set the height with you before drilling.

Over a fireplace

Fireplace mounts raise extra questions: is the wall above the firebox brick, stone or drywall over framing? Is there enough clearance from heat? Is the TV too high to watch comfortably?

A pull-down mount can lower the screen to eye level. These mounts take longer and cost more than a standard wall.

Hiding the cables

Cables can hang below the TV, run in a paintable cord cover on the wall, or go inside the wall. In-wall routing for low-voltage cables uses a kit with a recessed plate behind the TV and another near the floor.

Running the TV’s power cord inside the wall needs an in-wall power kit made for that purpose; a regular extension cord inside a wall is not safe. Adding a new outlet behind the TV is outside our scope.

Soundbars, consoles and extras

Mounting a soundbar under the TV, hanging a streaming box behind it, or setting up a floating shelf for a game console adds time. So does removing an old mount and patching its holes. Each extra is small, and grouping them into one visit keeps the total down. See picture and mirror hanging for art around the TV.

What to send

A photo of the wall, the TV model or size, the mount if you have one, where the outlet and cable box are, and where you want the cables to go. That is enough for a quote. See TV mounting for how we work.

Safety

In earthquake country, a TV should be fastened into studs or rated anchors, never drywall alone. TVs on stands should be anchored too, especially in homes with children; see childproofing.

Rooms and viewing angles

In bedrooms, TVs often go higher and tilt down toward the bed. In living rooms, the center of the screen near eye level when seated is most comfortable. Corner mounts need full-motion arms. Each choice affects the mount type and the time.

Old mounts and patches

Taking down an old mount leaves large lag screw holes and sometimes a cutout for cables. Patching and painting those spots adds a little time, and it is worth doing in the same visit.

Outdoor TVs

Patio TVs need outdoor-rated TVs or covers, mounts rated for outdoor use, and an outlet with a weatherproof cover. Mounting on stucco takes masonry anchors.

Moving a TV

Moving a TV to a new wall means a new mount location, possibly new cable routing, and patching the old wall. We price that as one job.

Two-person lifts

TVs over a certain size are awkward for one person. We bring help for big screens so nobody is asked to hold a TV against the wall while bolts go in.

Your own mount

Mounts bought online vary in quality. We check the weight rating, the VESA pattern on the TV and the hardware in the box. If a part is missing, we can usually supply a replacement on the spot from the spare hardware we bring to every job.

Ceiling and corner mounts

Ceiling mounts suit rooms with no good wall, such as a kitchen nook or a gym corner. They need a ceiling joist or solid blocking. Corner mounts need studs on both walls of the corner.

Cable boxes and streaming devices

If the cable box or a game console stays on a stand below the TV, the HDMI cables need a path from the stand to the screen. Short runs in a cord cover are quick. Longer runs inside the wall, or to a cabinet across the room, take more planning and sometimes longer, higher-quality cables. We look at the full setup before quoting, so the TV works with every device on day one.