If you've just bought a new TV, the next question is usually what it will cost to get it on the wall properly. The honest answer is that it depends on the wall, the TV and how clean you want the finished result to look. Below we walk through general market ranges you'll see around Washington, DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring and Northern Virginia, the factors that move the price up or down, and how to get an exact number for your home.
General market ranges in the DC area
Across the DC metro, published prices from handyman companies, TV installers and big-box install services tend to fall into a few broad tiers. These are general market observations, not our price list, and they change over time:
- Basic mount on drywall: a standard TV on a standard drywall wall with studs, wires left visible or tucked behind a console. This is the lowest tier, commonly somewhere around one to two hundred dollars for labor in this region.
- Mount plus cord concealment: adding a paintable raceway or an in-wall cable kit typically adds a meaningful amount, because it means more time, more cutting and careful patching.
- Specialty walls: plaster and lath, brick, stone fireplaces and concrete condo walls usually cost more than drywall. They need different drill bits and anchors and much more care.
- Large screens and complex setups: 75-inch and larger TVs, full-motion arms, pull-down fireplace mounts and soundbar installation all add time and sometimes a second installer.
The mount itself is often a separate cost. A basic fixed or tilting mount is inexpensive; a quality full-motion or pull-down mount can cost several times as much.
What makes TV mounting cost more in DC specifically
1. The wall behind the TV
DC has some of the most varied housing in the country. A Capitol Hill rowhouse might have a century-old plaster wall over wood lath, a Logan Circle condo might have exposed brick, and a Navy Yard high-rise usually means poured concrete. Each takes a different approach. Plaster needs pilot holes and careful drilling into framing so it doesn't crack. Brick needs masonry anchors set into the brick itself rather than the mortar. Concrete needs a hammer drill and concrete-rated anchors. That's why we ask for a photo of the wall first. Read more in our guide on mounting a TV on plaster walls.
2. Hiding the wires
Most people want a clean look with no dangling cords. On a hollow drywall wall, an in-wall cable kit is usually possible. In solid brick, concrete or many plaster walls with fire blocking, a paintable raceway is the practical choice. If you need a new outlet behind the TV, that is electrical work, and it should be done by a licensed electrician. At Hang & Patch, electrical work is performed by licensed partners.
3. Over the fireplace
Fireplace mounting is popular and more involved. Installers have to deal with masonry or stone, potential heat from the firebox and a height that's often too high for comfortable viewing. Pull-down mounts solve the height problem but cost more and take longer to install.
4. Size and weight
An 85-inch TV is a two-person lift and needs a mount anchored into multiple studs. Bigger screens raise both the time and the risk, and pricing reflects that.
5. Building logistics
Many DC condo buildings require elevator reservations, certificates of insurance or set work hours. These don't always change the price, but they do affect scheduling.
Ways to keep the cost reasonable
- Bundle jobs: mounting two TVs, hanging art and installing shelves in one visit is more efficient than separate trips.
- Choose a fixed or tilting mount if you don't need a swivel arm.
- Decide on a raceway versus in-wall concealment up front.
- Send clear photos of the wall, the TV model and anything near the spot such as outlets, windows and the fireplace.
Red flags when comparing quotes
Be careful with very low prices that leave out wire concealment, patching or cleanup, and with installers who plan to mount into drywall anchors alone for a heavy TV. Ask what's behind the wall, what anchors they'll use and whether they'll patch and clean up. A good installer will happily explain it.
What a good installation includes
When you compare prices, compare what you actually get: confirming what's behind the wall, a mount rated for your TV, anchoring into studs or masonry, laser-leveled placement, cable management, patching of any test holes, cleanup and a quick walkthrough to make sure the inputs and remote work. Those details are what separate a mount you'll never think about again from one that sags or leaves a mess.
Get an exact quote
We don't believe in guessing at a price before we know your wall. Text a photo of the wall and your TV size to (202) 438-6197 and we'll give you a clear, exact quote, often for same-day service. See our TV mounting service, or local pages for TV mounting in Washington, DC, Bethesda and McLean.