Side-by-side comparison
DIY vs Professional TV Mounting
DIY is realistic for a small TV (32–43") on a known timber stud, with no cable hiding needed. Once you go to 55"+, hide cables in the wall, or work on brick/concrete, a professional install is faster, safer, insured, and usually cheaper once you account for tools and time. See our pricing page for current rates.
Your time only.
See our pricing page.
Stud finder, hammer drill, masonry bits — bought new.
Included.
2–4 hours including learning curve.
Typically 45–90 minutes, longer for complex jobs.
You absorb it.
Insured — installer absorbs it.
Usually excluded from home insurance.
Public liability insurance covered.
Depends on skill and patience.
Level, plumb, cables hidden.
Possible but takes practice and the right tools.
Routine.
Small TVs on a known stud, no cable hiding.
55"+, brick/concrete walls, in-wall cable hiding, large TVs.
Verdict
If you are mounting a small flat-bracket TV onto a timber stud you can already see, DIY is fine — the saving is modest and the risk is low. As soon as the job involves cavity-anchoring on plasterboard, in-wall cable hiding, or anything 65"+, the math flips: the install fee is less than the cost of a hammer drill, the time, and the insurance gap if something goes wrong. See our pricing page for current rates.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really mount a TV myself?
Yes — for a small TV (32–43") on a stud-finder-detected timber stud in a plasterboard wall, DIY is realistic if you are comfortable drilling. The risk rises sharply with TV size, wall material (brick/concrete needs an SDS drill) and any cable hiding requirement.
How much does DIY actually save?
See our pricing page for current professional install rates. Bracket and fixings cost the same either way (third-party hardware) — the real DIY saving is the labour line minus tools you do not already own (stud finder, hammer drill, masonry bits) and the insurance risk if something goes wrong.
What goes wrong with DIY most often?
In order: drilling into a hidden pipe or cable; under-spec fixings on plasterboard pulling out under load; bracket not level; messy cable trail. The first two can cause real damage; the second two are mainly cosmetic.
Does my home insurance cover DIY damage?
Usually no. Most contents policies exclude damage caused by your own DIY work. A professional install with public liability insurance shifts the risk to the installer.