Mounting something heavy on a wall is a job many people put off because the stakes are obvious: a TV that falls, a shelf that pulls out of the drywall, a mirror that ends up on the floor. Done right it takes an hour or two and holds for decades. Done into drywall alone, it holds until it does not.
This guide covers what a mounting visit usually includes, what decides whether it is a quick job or a longer one, what to look at and have ready before the handyman arrives, and what you can expect on cost.
What you notice
- Finding studs or masonry behind the finished wall and choosing the right fasteners for the wall type and the weight.
- Mounting a flat-screen TV on a fixed, tilting or full-motion bracket, level and at the height you want.
- Hanging floating shelves, bookshelves, bracketed shelves and closet shelving so they carry the load you intend.
- Hanging heavy mirrors, large framed art, headboards and coat racks.
- Installing curtain rods, blinds and towel bars so they do not pull loose.
- Anchoring bookcases, dressers and other tall furniture to the wall so they cannot tip.
- Tidying TV cables with a cord cover or a simple in-wall cable kit where that is appropriate for the wall.
Likely causes
What the wall is made of
Drywall over wood studs is the common case and the easiest. Plaster and lath, concrete block, brick, steel studs and tile each call for different anchors and take more time. Behind a fireplace there may be a chimney, which rules out some mounts entirely.
Weight and how it is loaded
A light floating shelf and a 75-inch TV on a full-motion arm are not the same job. Arms put a long lever on the fasteners, so the bracket must land on studs or in solid masonry. Shelves that will hold books need more support than shelves that will hold a plant.
Where the studs happen to be
Studs are usually 16 inches apart, but the spot you want the TV may fall between them. Some brackets span two studs; others need a plywood backer or a different mount. The handyman sorts this out before drilling.
What is inside the wall
Electrical cables, water lines and ducts run through walls. Outlets or switches nearby, a bathroom on the other side, or a wall shared with a kitchen are signs to go carefully. In-wall cable runs are only done where the wall allows it.
Number of items and whether hardware is on hand
One TV is a short visit. A gallery wall, six shelves and three curtain rods is a half day. Having the bracket, shelves and hardware already in the room saves a trip.
Height, access and helpers
A TV above a fireplace, a shelf on a stairwell wall or a mount on a vaulted ceiling takes longer and may need a second person to lift safely.
Safe things to check before anyone comes out
- Decide where you want each item and mark it with painter’s tape so the handyman can confirm placement before drilling.
- Look at the wall surface and note whether it is drywall, plaster, brick, block or tile. Tap it: drywall sounds hollow between studs, plaster and masonry do not.
- Note any outlets, switches or plumbing on this wall or the other side of it.
- Have the TV model and size, and the bracket if you have one, in the room. The bracket box lists the wall types and weights it is rated for.
- For shelves, decide what will go on them. Books and dishes are heavy; the answer changes the fasteners.
- Check that the item has its mounting hardware and instructions. Missing wall plugs or screws are common with flat-pack shelves.
- Measure and note the viewing height you want for a TV from the sofa, and whether it needs to tilt or swing.
- Clear the area under the wall so a ladder can be set up safely.
When to stop and call
- A mounted TV, shelf or mirror is pulling away from the wall or the anchors are visibly loosening. Take the weight off it now and keep people and pets clear until it is remounted.
- A tall bookcase or dresser rocks or has tipped partway, especially in a home with young children. Empty the top shelves and anchor it the same day.
- A previous installation hit a pipe or cable and there is a damp patch or a warm spot on the wall. Stop using the outlet nearby and get it checked.
- A heavy item needs to come down safely before a move or a renovation and you cannot lift it alone.
What the technician does
- Confirms placement and height with you, then finds studs or checks the wall type with a stud finder and a small test hole if needed.
- Checks for wiring and pipes before drilling, and chooses lag screws, toggle anchors or masonry anchors to suit the wall and the weight.
- Marks, levels and drills the bracket or shelf supports, and fastens them into studs or solid masonry wherever the load calls for it.
- Attaches the TV to the bracket with the correct screws, sets the tilt or arm, and checks it is level and secure.
- Hangs shelves, mirrors and rods, loads shelves to test them, and anchors furniture with straps or brackets where asked.
- Routes cables with a cord cover or an in-wall kit where the wall allows, and tidies up dust and packaging.
- Walks you through the weight limits of what was installed and how to adjust the bracket.
What it usually costs
A single TV or a couple of shelves is usually billed as a minimum visit or an hourly rate, commonly in the low hundreds of dollars, with the bracket and anchors extra if the handyman supplies them. Larger TVs, full-motion arms, masonry walls, above-fireplace mounts and in-wall cable routing add time and cost. Several items in one visit are usually cheaper per item. The estimate should be explained before any work starts.
What moves the estimate
- The number and weight of items.
- Wall type: drywall and studs is quickest, plaster, brick, block and tile take longer.
- Full-motion arms, above-fireplace placement and vaulted ceilings.
- Whether you supply the bracket, shelves and hardware.
- In-wall cable routing and any added outlet work, which may need an electrician.
Keeping it from coming back
- Keep the paperwork for the bracket so the weight rating is on hand if you upgrade the TV.
- Do not hang more on a shelf than it was mounted for; ask what the limit is when it goes up.
- Anchor every tall piece of furniture in a home with children, and re-check the straps when you rearrange a room.
- If you move a mounted TV, have the bracket re-fastened rather than reusing stretched anchors.
- Use a cord cover rather than draping cables where a child can pull on them.
Questions people ask
Can a TV be mounted on drywall without studs?
For small, light TVs some brackets allow rated toggle anchors. For most TVs and any full-motion arm, the bracket should be fastened into studs or solid masonry, or into a backer board that is. A good handyman will say no to an unsafe mount.
Can I mount a TV above a fireplace?
Often, but the wall may be masonry, there may be no studs, and heat from the fireplace can shorten a TV’s life. Tilt mounts help with viewing angle. Discuss it and expect it to take longer than a standard wall.
Does running cables inside the wall need an electrician?
HDMI and low-voltage cables through a simple kit are commonly handled by a handyman. Adding or moving a power outlet behind the TV is electrical work and should go to a licensed electrician.
Do I need to buy the bracket first?
It helps. Choose one rated for your TV size and weight with the matching screw pattern (the TV manual lists it). If you would rather the handyman supplies one, say so when you request and it will be added to the estimate.
Sources
- U.S. CPSC: Anchor It! (preventing furniture and TV tip-overs) www.anchorit.gov
- Samsung Support: How to wall mount your Samsung TV www.samsung.com
- IKEA: Creating Safer Homes Together (wall anchoring and wall types) www.ikea.com