TV mounting

What TV mounting involves

A mounting job is finding something solid to fix to, attaching a bracket rated for the TV, hanging and levelling the set, and dealing with the cables. Most installers also set up the TV and connect a soundbar or streaming box while they are there.

Brackets come in three broad types: fixed (flat to the wall), tilting, and full-motion arms that pull out and swivel. A full-motion arm puts far more load on the wall when extended, which is why fixing matters more than the bracket.

Walls, fireplaces and cables

• Drywall over wood studs is the usual case: the bracket goes into the studs, not the board alone.
• Metal studs, plaster, brick, stone and concrete each need different fixings and tools — say which you have when you book.
• Over a fireplace, ask about heat from the firebox and the viewing height; check the TV maker’s guidance on heat sources.
• Hiding cables inside the wall uses an in-wall rated kit or conduit. Moving or adding a power outlet behind the TV is electrical work — ask whether the installer is licensed for it where you live, or bring in an electrician.

How to choose a TV mounting pro

• Send the TV size and model, a photo of the wall, and what the wall is made of.
• Ask whether the bracket is included or you supply it, and what it is rated to hold.
• Ask how they find and fix into studs or masonry.
• Ask whether in-wall cable concealment and outlet work are offered, and by whom.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance — a dropped TV or a drilled pipe is exactly what it is for.

What affects the cost

• TV size and weight, and the number of TVs in the visit.
• Bracket type — full-motion takes longer than fixed — and who supplies it.
• Wall type: masonry and over-fireplace installs take more time and different tools.
• Cable concealment inside the wall, or a new outlet behind the screen.
• Soundbar, speakers or other devices to mount and connect.
• Removing an old mount and patching the holes it leaves.

Handyman cost guide: the factors pros price on →

DIY or pro — and tip-over safety

Mounting a mid-size TV on a stud wall with the right bracket is a manageable DIY job if you have a stud finder, a level and a helper. Masonry, fireplaces, large screens, full-motion arms and in-wall wiring are where a pro earns the call-out.

If the TV stays on a stand, secure it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Anchor It! campaign covers furniture and TV tip-overs; its advice is that anchoring furniture with drawers, doors and shelves to the wall prevents tip-over injuries and deaths, and it walks through the steps (CPSC Anchor It!).

Common questions

Can a TV be mounted on drywall without studs?

Not safely for most TVs. The bracket should be fixed into studs or masonry; drywall alone is not made to carry that load.

Do I need to buy the mount first?

Ask the installer. Some supply brackets, others prefer you buy one rated for your TV’s size and weight.

Can the cables be hidden in the wall?

Usually, with an in-wall rated kit. Adding an outlet behind the TV is electrical work, which may need a licensed electrician where you live.

Is it safe to mount a TV over a fireplace?

It can be, but check the heat above the firebox against the TV maker’s guidance, and the viewing height. Ask the installer what they recommend.

How long does TV mounting take?

It depends on the wall, the bracket and whether cables go inside the wall. Ask when you book.

Should I anchor a TV that is not wall-mounted?

Yes. CPSC’s Anchor It! campaign covers TV and furniture tip-overs and shows how to secure them.

Sources

Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.

• US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Anchor It! (no date shown; read October 2026)