A wall-mounted TV is only as secure as what the mount is fastened to. Drywall alone will not hold one. The mount has to be lag-bolted into wood studs, or fixed with the correct anchors into masonry or steel framing. The rest of the job is positioning — height, viewing angle, glare — and deciding what to do with the cables.

  • Studs located and the mount anchored to framing
  • Fixed, tilting and full-motion mounts installed
  • Mounting on drywall, plaster, brick and tile surrounds
  • Cable concealment with raceways or in-wall rated kits
  • Soundbars and shelves mounted to match

What TV mounting costs

Angi and HomeAdvisor put the national average at about $248, with most installations between $150 and $347. Size matters: small televisions under 40 inches commonly run $120 to $200, while screens of 61 inches and larger run $250 to $600. The bracket is extra if you do not supply it, typically $30 to $250. Concealing cables in the wall, mounting on brick or stone and full-motion mounts add to the price.

Hiding the cables the right way

The television's own power cord must not be run inside the wall — flexible cords are not rated for it. There are two proper ways to hide power. An in-wall power relocation kit, which is listed for the purpose, routes power from an existing outlet below to a recessed inlet behind the TV. Or an electrician installs a new outlet behind the television, which is electrical work and may need a permit. Low-voltage cables such as HDMI should be in-wall rated if they go inside the wall.

When not to mount a TV

Above a working fireplace is the common mistake: heat and soot shorten a television's life, and the viewing angle is too high for comfort. Other poor spots are walls with plumbing or wiring directly behind the mounting points, metal-stud or old plaster walls without the right anchors, and rented homes where the lease forbids drilling. A handyman should scan for pipes and wires before drilling.

Common tv mounting situations in Sacramento

  • A new television still on its stand, with children or pets in the house
  • Cables hanging down the wall
  • A previous mount that is sagging or pulling out
  • A brick or tiled fireplace wall that needs masonry anchors
  • Uncertainty about where the studs are

TV Mounting FAQs

Do I need an electrician to mount a TV?

Not for the mounting itself. You need one if you want a new outlet installed behind the television. A listed in-wall power kit that plugs into an existing outlet is something a handyman can install.

Is mounting a TV worth it?

For most people, yes. It frees floor space, puts the screen at a proper height, and removes the risk of a set being pulled over — a real hazard with small children. The trade-off is holes in the wall and less freedom to rearrange the room.

This content is reviewed by the Sacramento CA Handyman editorial team and informed by licensed-contractor sourcing, manufacturer documentation, and established industry standards for Handyman. Read our editorial standards.