Name: Dan's TV Mounting
Address: Sacramento, CA, 95816, US
Telephone: (916) 587-4912
Price range: $$

The Honest Truth from a Professional

I'm Dan Dyer, and I've been mounting TVs in Sacramento since 2010. After 1,100+ installations, I'm going to give you the honest truth: some TV mounts are totally doable as a DIY project, and some absolutely are not.

I'd rather you know the difference upfront than call me after you've put three wrong holes in your wall or cracked your $2,000 TV. Here's the real breakdown.

When DIY TV Mounting Makes Sense

The Simple Drywall Mount

If you have ALL of the following, a DIY mount is reasonable:

•A flat drywall wall with accessible studs

•A TV under 55 inches

•A simple fixed or tilt mount (not full motion)

•No wire concealment needed (you're okay with visible cables)

•A stud finder, level, and drill you know how to use

•Someone to help you hold the TV while mounting

What You'll Need (Tools)

•Stud finder (a good one — $30-$50, not a $10 one)

•Power drill with bits

•Socket wrench set

•Level (at least 24 inches)

•Pencil and tape measure

•Another person (TVs are awkward and heavy)

What You'll Need (Materials)

•TV mount (make sure it's rated for your TV's size AND weight)

•Lag bolts (usually included with the mount, 3/8" x 3" minimum)

•Drill bits matching your lag bolts

Estimated DIY Time

Plan for 1-2 hours for your first mount. That includes unpacking, reading instructions, finding studs, drilling, and hanging the TV. It gets faster with experience.

When to Hire a Professional

Brick, Stone, Stucco, or Concrete Walls

If your wall isn't standard drywall, stop and call a pro. Here's why:

•Masonry requires specialized drill bits that cost $30-$50 each and wear out quickly

•Wrong anchors = TV on the floor. Masonry anchors are not interchangeable. Tapcon screws, sleeve anchors, and wedge anchors each have specific applications.

•You can crack the surface. Brick, stone, and stucco can crack or crumble if drilled incorrectly. We see this regularly on repair calls.

•Stucco hides what's underneath. Sacramento stucco homes might have wood framing, metal studs, or concrete behind the stucco. You need to know before you drill.

Above the Fireplace

Fireplace mounting combines multiple challenges:

•The wall surface is usually brick, stone, or tile

•Heat management is a concern

•Cable routing is complex (can't just run cables down through a fireplace)

•The mounting height often requires a pull-down mount for comfortable viewing

•Mantel depth affects mount selection

This is one of our most common jobs, and it's one of the hardest to DIY well.

Samsung Frame TV

The Frame TV requires a specific no-gap mount, an in-wall recessed power box, and careful routing of the One Connect cable. It needs to sit perfectly flush — even a few millimeters off and it doesn't look right. This is a precision installation.

Large TVs (65" and Up)

A 75-inch TV weighs 60-80 lbs and is extremely awkward to handle. The wall plate needs to be perfectly level across a wide span, and the lag bolts need to hit studs precisely. One person cannot safely hang a 75-inch TV, and even two people need to be coordinated.

Full Motion / Articulating Mounts

Full motion mounts create significant leverage on the wall attachment point, especially when the arm is extended. The wall plate must be attached to studs with properly sized lag bolts — no exceptions. The arm tension needs calibration, and cable management through the arm requires planning.

Wire Concealment

Running cables through walls involves:

•Cutting drywall openings at the right spots

•Fishing cables through wall cavities

•Avoiding electrical wires, plumbing, and ductwork inside the wall

•Installing a code-compliant recessed power outlet

•Patching and finishing if any mistakes are made

It's not rocket science, but it requires tools and experience that most homeowners don't have.

The Mistakes We Fix

About 15% of our calls are fixing DIY mounts. The most common problems:

1.Missed studs. The mount is held in by drywall anchors that can't support the weight. We've caught TVs that were about to fall.

2.Not level. It's harder than it looks, especially with two-piece rail mounts.

3.Wrong mount type. People buy a mount rated for 55" TVs and try to hang a 75".

4.Damaged walls. Multiple wrong holes, cracked drywall, or stucco damage.

5.Dangling cables. The TV is mounted but the wires are a mess.

Fixing a botched mount usually costs more than the original installation would have because we need to patch holes, find new stud positions, and potentially repair wall damage.

My Recommendation

DIY if: You have a small-to-medium TV, a simple drywall wall, a tilt or flat mount, and you're handy with basic tools. Watch a few YouTube videos first.

Hire a pro if: You have a large TV, a masonry wall, a fireplace installation, need wire concealment, want a Samsung Frame TV, or simply want it done right the first time without the stress.

Either way, your TV deserves to be on the wall. Whether you do it yourself or call us at (916) 587-4912, get that TV off the dresser and up where it belongs.

DIY vs Professional TV Mounting: What You Need to Know