TV Mounting in Commonwealth

Under 43 inches is a reasonable DIY job if you can find studs and use a level. From 55 inches up, a second pair of hands is essential and mistakes get expensive — a 65-inch panel weighs 20-25 kg and modern bezel-less screens crack easily if gripped wrong. Professionals also carry stud finders, cable detectors, and masonry drills most households lack.

Either works. Buying your own mount is usually cheaper — check it matches your TV's VESA pattern (the four bolt holes on the back, e.g. 400x400) and its rated weight. Many installers also sell mounts on the day at a markup of roughly 20-50% over retail. If you buy your own, tell the installer the model so they bring the right fixings.

In hollow drywall or plasterboard walls, yes — installers cut two small openings and drop low-voltage cables (HDMI, antenna) inside the cavity. Power cables usually cannot legally go in-wall as ordinary extension leads; the compliant options are an in-wall rated power relocation kit or a new outlet behind the TV installed by an electrician. On solid brick or concrete walls, cables run in paintable surface trunking instead.

A professional installer should carry public liability insurance that covers wall damage and a dropped or fallen TV. Ask for proof before booking, and ask whether they guarantee their fixings (many offer 12 months or lifetime on workmanship). Keep the receipt — home insurance claims for fallen TVs often hinge on showing it was professionally installed.

Most TV mounting jobs are priced as a flat rate per TV, driven by three things: TV size, mount type (fixed, tilting, or full-motion), and wall material. Drywall or plasterboard with timber studs is the cheapest; brick, concrete, or above-fireplace installs cost more. Cable concealment is usually a separate add-on. Ask for the all-in price for your exact TV size and wall type before booking.

In most condo buildings, yes — the admin office issues a work permit or gate pass for any contractor doing drilling, usually free or a small fee, sometimes requiring the installer's ID a day in advance. House installs need no permit. Arrange it before booking to avoid a wasted visit.

Yes with the right anchors — concrete hollow block (CHB) is the standard Filipino wall, and installers use sleeve anchors or chemical anchors into the solid webs, avoiding the hollow cores. For 65-inch-plus TVs, ask specifically how they will anchor; plastic plugs into hollow cores are the main failure mode.