Moving house with a wall-mounted TV involves three steps: removing it safely from the old wall, transporting it, and mounting it properly in the new home. Done correctly, it is straightforward. Rushed or handled poorly, it is one of the most common ways TVs get damaged on moving day. Here is everything you need to know.
Before moving day — what to prepare
Find the TV box
If you kept your TV's original box, find it now. The original packaging with its foam inserts is by far the safest way to transport a TV. If you do not have the box, buy large moving blankets — wrap the TV screen first, then wrap the whole unit. Never use newspaper directly against the screen (the ink can cause marks) and never allow the screen to be placed face-down.
Check what stays and what goes
Confirm whether your TV bracket stays or moves with you:
- If you are selling the house — you may choose to leave the bracket on the wall, or remove it and fill the holes. Buyers sometimes expect fixtures to stay; others prefer bare walls. Check with your solicitor or estate agent if there is any ambiguity in the fixtures and fittings list.
- If you are renting — the bracket usually comes with you. Fill the holes properly. See our rental property guide for how to fill bracket holes correctly.
- If you own and are buying — take the bracket. Fill the holes.
Removing the TV and bracket safely
Step 1: Disconnect all cables
Label each cable before disconnecting — a piece of masking tape on each cable with a written label (HDMI 1, power, aerial) saves significant setup time at the other end. Take a photo of the back of the TV with all cables connected before removing anything.
Step 2: Remove the TV from the bracket
Most brackets have a release mechanism — often a locking screw or latch that must be unlocked before the TV can be lifted off. Read the bracket's instructions if you are not sure. Two people are recommended for anything above 43 inches — one to hold the screen, one to release the mechanism. Never tilt or twist a heavy TV on a bracket alone.
Step 3: Remove the bracket from the wall
Unscrew the bracket fixings from the wall. On solid brick walls, the plugs may stay in the wall — that is fine, they can be pushed in and filled over. On plasterboard, cavity fixings typically come out with the screw; the hole in the plasterboard may be slightly larger than on a brick wall.
Step 4: Fill the holes
Use decorator's filler in a tube. Push it into each hole, leave it slightly proud, and sand flush when dry. Then touch up with matching wall paint. On most modern walls with a standard emulsion finish, this is practically invisible. For solid brick walls with a significant hole, use an appropriate filler and repeat for a flush surface.
Transporting the TV safely
- Always transport TVs upright, not flat — lying a TV flat puts stress on the panel that it is not designed to handle
- Secure it in the van so it cannot fall — strap it upright against the van wall or pack it tightly between other items
- Do not allow heavy items to lean against the screen face
- Move the TV last into the van and first out — it should be the least-jostled item in the load
Mounting the TV in your new home
Moving day is the ideal time to rethink TV position. In your old home, the TV may have been in the only available position. In your new home, you have a choice — and getting it right from the start is far easier than remounting it later.
Things to consider before drilling in the new home:
- Wall type — your new home may have different wall construction to your old one. See our wall types guide. A new-build will be plasterboard; an older period property will likely be solid brick.
- Height — the most common mistake on remounting is putting the TV too high. Use our height guide and measure before drilling.
- Room layout — where will the sofa be? Mark the sofa position on the floor first, then determine the optimal TV wall from there.
- Natural light — check where windows are and avoid mounting the TV opposite them where possible. See our window glare guide.
Our moving house service
We offer a combined removal and remounting service for house moves across London. One booking, two addresses — we come to the old property, remove the TV and bracket, fill the holes, and then mount everything in the new home the same day or shortly after, subject to availability.
This service is particularly useful for people moving with 65"+ TVs, multiple TVs, or complex cable setups. See our moving house TV mounting page for full details and pricing, or get an instant quote.