A TV on the wall looks simple, and on a drywall wall with studs where you need them and a power outlet behind the screen, it is. Most Ottawa homes are not that wall. They have a brick fireplace, a stud that lands two inches from where the bracket needs it, a 75-inch screen that weighs as much as a small fridge, and an outlet on the other side of the room. This post covers what professional TV mounting involves, what changes the price, and what to have ready when you call.

Mount types and when each makes sense

Fixed (flush). The TV sits flat against the wall. Cleanest look, lowest cost, right for a wall directly in front of the seating at eye height.

Tilting. Angles the screen down a few degrees. The right choice when the TV has to go higher than ideal — above a fireplace, for example — so you are not looking up at a reflection.

Full-motion (articulating). Pulls out and swivels. Useful for corner installs, rooms viewed from more than one spot, or a kitchen TV. Heavier screens need a full-motion mount rated for the weight and anchored into studs or masonry properly — this is where cheap mounts fail.

Pull-down fireplace mounts. Let a TV above a fireplace drop to eye height when you are watching. Higher cost, but the only comfortable solution for a tall fireplace wall.

The wall decides the job

Drywall on studs. The standard case. We find the studs, mount into them with lag bolts, and use a mount wide enough to hit two studs for larger screens.

Brick, stone and concrete. Needs masonry anchors rated for the load and a hammer drill. Not a job for the anchors that come in the mount box. On veneer stone we check what is behind it before drilling anything.

Above a fireplace. Heat is the concern: we check the temperature at the mounting height with the fireplace running and advise if it is too hot for the TV’s rating. A tilting or pull-down mount is usually the right answer, and a mantel changes the geometry.

Hiding the cables

The difference between a professional install and a DIY one is usually the cables. On a drywall wall we run the HDMI and an in-wall-rated power kit inside the wall so nothing shows below the screen; the kit is the code-compliant way to get power behind the TV without an electrician. On masonry we use a low-profile raceway painted to match. Either way, plan for more cables than you think — a soundbar, a streaming box and a console all want a path.

What sets the price

Screen size and weight, the mount type, the wall material, whether cables are concealed, and whether we are also connecting and setting up devices. A 55-inch TV on drywall with a fixed mount and a raceway is the simplest job; an 85-inch screen on a stone fireplace with a full-motion mount and in-wall wiring is several hours with two people. We quote by phone once we know the TV size and wall type, and the number does not change on the day unless you add work.

What to have ready when you call

The TV size and model, a photo of the wall, what devices you want connected, and where you will sit. With those we can recommend the mount, tell you what the wall allows for cables, and give you a price. Call 613-627-0660 or see our TV mounting service in Ottawa page for the full list of what is included.