TV wall mounting seems simple enough. Buy a bracket, drill some holes, hang the telly and you’re done… right? Not quite. Professional installers know there’s a science & an art to doing it properly. I’ve seen enough DIY disasters to appreciate why experts follow a methodical process. After watching several professional installations (and attempting one myself that ended with a slightly wonky result), I’ve documented the exact steps the pros take before they even pick up a drill.
These eight planning steps make the difference between an installation that looks like it belongs in a showroom versus one that looks like your mate Dave did it after a few pints. Trust me on this one.
1. Assess The Wall Structure
The very first thing professional tv installers do is knock on your wall. No, they’re not being weird – they’re listening for the hollow sound that indicates drywall or the solid thud of brick or concrete. This determines EVERYTHING that follows.
Stud walls require finding the wooden beams behind the plasterboard, which pros typically locate using a stud finder. They’ll mark these positions with small pieces of masking tape rather than pencil marks that might remain visible. Brick or concrete walls need different fixings altogether – typically heavy-duty wall anchors or specialist concrete screws.
A common mistake amateurs make? Assuming all walls are created equal. I once watched my neighbour attempt to mount a 55″ TV using ordinary wall plugs on plasterboard without finding the studs. Can you guess how that ended? With a very expensive trip to Currys and a hole in the wall that needed professional repair.
2. Consider Electrical Outlet Placement
Professional installers always check where the nearest power socket is located before determining the exact mounting position. Nothing looks worse than cables dangling down from your beautifully mounted TV.
If the nearest socket is too far away, they’ll discuss options like installing a new socket behind where the TV will hang, using trunking to conceal cables, or creating a small channel in the wall for cables to run through. The goal is always a clean, cable-free appearance.
The best installers will bring a selection of cable management solutions to every job. Some even carry basic electrical tools to install new outlets if they’re qualified to do so (though this typically requires a separate electrician in the UK to comply with regulations).
3. Determine The Optimal Viewing Height
There’s actually a formula professionals use for this! The centre of the screen should be at eye level when you’re seated. This typically works out to about 42-48 inches (107-122 cm) from the floor, depending on your furniture height and typical seating position.
Some accomodations are made based on the room layout. If the TV will be viewed primarily from a standing position (like in a kitchen), they’ll position it higher. For bedrooms, they might place it slightly lower than standard height.
I’ve noticed pros will often sit in your preferred viewing spot and have a colleague hold the TV in position before marking anything. They’ll ask you to confirm it feels right from your normal seating position. This extra step prevents that awkward neck strain you get from TVs mounted too high.
4. Select The Appropriate Mounting Bracket
Not all TV brackets are created equal! Professionals choose from three main types:
Fixed mounts keep the TV flat against the wall but don’t allow any movement. They’re sleek & minimalist but limited in functionality. Tilting mounts allow vertical adjustment to reduce glare and improve viewing angles – perfect for rooms with windows opposite the TV. Full-motion (articulating) mounts offer maximum flexibility, allowing the TV to extend, swivel and tilt in multiple directions.
The pros consider factors like screen size, weight, room layout, and viewing habits before recommending a specific bracket type. They also check VESA compatibility (the standard for mounting holes on the back of TVs) to ensure the bracket will work with your specific television model.
5. Check For Signal Sources & Connectivity
Where will your Sky box, game console, sound bar or streaming device live? Professional installers think about these connections BEFORE mounting begins.
They’ll discuss options like floating shelves below the TV, wall-mounting accessories alongside the television, or creating a discrete media cabinet nearby. Some pros even bring templates to show exactly how various arrangements will look.
The real pros will also check your wifi signal strength where the TV will be mounted. If it’s weak, they might suggest hardwiring an ethernet connection or installing a wifi extender to prevent streaming issues later on.
6. Create a Detailed Installation Map
Before drilling a single hole, professional installers create what I like to call an “installation map.” They’ll use a pencil to mark the exact position where the bracket will sit, confirm it’s perfectly level, and then mark all drill holes.
They double-check measurements against the TV size and wall space to ensure perfect centring. Some use laser levels for absolute precision, while others rely on good old-fashioned spirit levels (which are perfectly adequate when used correctly).
This planning stage is where pros truly shine. They’ll verify the height multiple times, check that the bracket position aligns with studs or appropriate mounting points, and ensure there’s adequate clearance around the TV for ventilation and accessibility.
7. Gather The Right Tools & Fixings
A professional installer’s toolkit is impressive! Beyond the basic drill and screwdriver, they’ll have:
A selection of drill bits for different wall materials, a proper stud finder (not the cheap ones from B&Q), a cable detector to avoid hitting electrical wires, multiple sizes of wall anchors & screws, cable management solutions, HDMI cables of various lengths, and a quality spirit or laser level.
But perhaps most importantly, they bring spares of EVERYTHING. Because there’s nothing worse than being halfway through an installation and realizing you’re short one crucial fixing. Happens to the best of us!
8. Prepare The Surrounding Area
Finally, professional installers always protect the surrounding area before beginning work. They’ll lay down dust sheets to catch plaster dust and debris, move furniture away from the work zone, and ensure valuables are protected.
They’ll also prepare a clean, flat surface where they can place your TV while they’re working on the wall – usually covered with a soft blanket to prevent scratches. This level of care shows real professionalism and attention to detail.
Some will even bring portable vacuum cleaners to clean up as they go, rather than leaving a dusty mess behind. Small touches, but they make a huge difference to the overall experience.
The Bottom Line
Professional TV mounting isn’t just about drilling holes & hanging screens. It’s a methodical process that begins with thorough planning. The 8 steps outlined above are why professional installations look so much better than DIY attempts – they’ve anticipated problems before they occur.
If you’re considering mounting a TV yourself, try following this professional planning process. Or maybe save yourself the headache and hire someone who does this daily. Either way, proper planning prevents poor performance… & expensive repairs to both your wall and your pride!
