TV installation cost guide
Among many modern household appliances, a TV must be close to the very top of the list. Not only is it a source of enjoyment and entertainment, it also adds its own special touch to the interior of the house. Today's TVs are a far cry from the old, cumbersome affairs that took a large portion of a living room a couple of decades ago. New flat screen televisions are lightweight, reliable, convenient, and visually appealing. But before watching shows and films on it, you have to mount your TV. And this process has its certain specifics.
Here you will learn about:
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Average TV installation cost and services provided -
Price-related questions -
Information to check -
Other frequently asked questions
Average TV installation cost and services provided
The TV installation specialists provide a whole range of services. The principal one is mounting flat screen TVs in private homes and business offices. Apart from that, they neatly dress wires and cables, program the TV remote control (satellite or cable box), connect a TV to various devices such as a game console or surround sound system, install an additional power outlet and wiring. The average price TV mounting professionals charge falls within the range $160-$340 without extras.
Price-related questions
How much does it cost to mount a TV without extras?
If you only need some basic mounting of your flat screen TV without inside-wall wiring, an additional outlet, or surround sound system, handymen will charge you in the range $160-$340, with the average figure being $290.
You can also use the services of installers as offered by the store where you've purchased the unit. Retailers often provide these services at a discount. This option will cost you something like $200.
Note that you will still need to buy a mount separately.
What types of mounts exist and what is their price?
A TV mount or bracket is used to reliably fix a TV to a wall, so that it will not fall down on the floor.
Size
Brackets are typically designed according to the size of the TV panel irrespective of its weight. The larger is the mount, the more expensive it is.
Here are the most common mount sizes you can find along with their prices:- Below 25” - $20-$115
- 25”- 35” - $20 -$510
- 35” - 55” - $20-$710
- 55” - 65” - $20-$695
- 65” and above - $65-$710
Type
Another important characteristic of a mount is its type. The list includes the following:
- Ceiling - $160-$410
- Under-cabinet (fixed to the bottom of a cabinet) - $18-$75
- Tilting - $55-$210
- Fixed - $20-$140
- Articulating (the costliest type: you can tilt it as well as pull it to the left, right, or center) - $110-$510
- Ultra-thin (normally stationary to reduce the distance between the TV and the wall to the minimum) - $35-$140
What if a power outlet needs to be installed? How much will I have to pay?
Sometimes, the wires from the TV can reach no power outlets in your room. Then, you'll need to have a new outlet installed. That will cost you in the range from $200 to $750, depending on the complexity of the project (wall material, obstructions, or wiring length).
How much will installing a surround sound system cost?
A surround sound system makes watching TV more enjoyable. If you want to enhance your viewing experience, prepare to part with approximately $970 on average. Note that you'll also have to purchase special AV and HDMI cables for around $25.
Information to check
Before hiring some pro from a TV installation company, keep yourself safe and do some research:
- Find the information of the company on the Internet. There is no reputable business in the XXI century that has no website. Can't find one? That is a red flag. But don't make hasty conclusions and find them at their physical address.
- Check if the company has a license. That is a must.
- Look for reviews. Even a company with a short history should have got some feedback on the services they provide. Pay special attention to photos if there are any. They clearly show what you should expect
- Ask for a bill. It's no good if the TV installer asks you to pay in cash only. It's another red flag for you.
- People must feel comfortable looking at the screen. So, if you hang the TV too high, viewers will have to strain their necks and eyes, which may even cause health issues.
- The higher the TV is mounted, the harder it is to access it and wire it properly. Consequently, you'll have to pay more to the installation professionals.
- The sitting, standing, or lying position of the person who'll be watching TV
- The diagonal dimension of the screen
- The impact on the room interior
- The light falling on the screen from natural or artificial sources
- brick
- cinder block
- concrete
- stone
- hollow block
- You can have the wires hidden inside the wall. This is a more expensive method since it requires a professional electrician who needs to perform a great deal of work to conceal the wires. In many cases, a new power outlet may have to be mounted as well in order to provide an issue-free power supply to the new TV. On average, you'll have to pay around $1100 for this type of work. At the same time, by having the wires in the wall you save yourself the unpleasant moments of seeing your kid or dog getting entangled in all those electrical cords.
- You can hide the wires in a track molding running along the bottom of the wall. You can purchase these cable concealment covers in the range $20-$50 depending on their material and construction.
- The high temperature in the fireplace area may be harmful to the unit.
- The TV will be located too high, which is not comfortable for watching TV.
- A brick wall presents a serious challenge to the installers.
Other frequently asked questions
Can I hang a TV on my own?
You definitely can and that let you save some money but, in this case, you have to think of all the nuances of TV installation yourself including its place, angle, and height, the bracket you need for it, and the way you will hide the cables (that is probably the most difficult part of all).
Where in my home can/should I hang a TV? What's the right mounting height?
Mounting a flat screen TV is possible in almost every room in your home if there's a solid, hard wall that will sustain the weight of the appliance. Normally, homeowners have their modern televisions hung on a living-room, bedroom, and even kitchen wall.
The height is very important for two reasons:
Have your TV hung in a place that can be seen well from almost everywhere in the room.
Among other factors that determine the exact location of a TV are the following:
TV installation specialists are well versed in these matters and will gladly help you choose the most suitable location for your new entertainment center.
What type of bracket to choose for my TV?
When choosing the proper type of bracket for your flat screen TV, have a look in the TV manual for the VESA numbers section. VESA is the abbreviation for Video Electronics Standards Association that basically denotes the pattern of horizontal and vertical holes in the casing of the device. The VESA numbers are specified according to the metric system of measurements (50mm-800mm). So, if you see VESA 80, for instance, in your TV manual (or on the reverse side of the unit) and on the mount, this bracket is definitely what you need.
Is every wall suitable for hanging a flat screen TV?
Almost every strong, hard wall is good for a flat screen TV installation. However, a wall with metal studs is not suitable for the purpose as it's typically not sturdy enough to sustain the weight of a TV. Also, note that a TV installation company or handyman will charge you $90-100 additionally if you decide to have your television hung on a wall made of the following materials:
How can wiring be hidden from view?
Wires that are visible on the wall below your TV may spoil the interior of the room. That's the reason why many homeowners prefer hiding them from view. There are two main options in this respect:
Can I have a TV installed above my fireplace?
Although many homeowners prefer having their TVs installed on the wall above their fireplace, professionals don't recommend that for several reasons:
How long does the basic installation routine usually take?
While the time it takes to mount a flat screen TV depends on whether a homeowner wants extra features to be installed, the length of a basic project falls in the range between an hour and a half and two hours.
Bottom line
Installing a flat screen TV adds visual appeal to the interior of a house and brings more enjoyment for the entire family. Depending on the complexity of the project, the wall material, the necessity of installing a new power outlet, and other extra features, you can expect to pay from $160 to $340 on average.