9 Questions to Ask a TV Installer Before You Book

Most disappointing installs aren't the result of bad work. They're the result of two people having different ideas about what the job was. These nine questions surface those differences before anyone is standing in your living room with a drill.

1. "Is this quote based on my actual wall, or a generic estimate?"

What you want to hear: a request for a photo, or specific questions about wall material and TV model.
Red flag: a firm price with no questions asked. A number given without knowing whether your wall is drywall or block is a number that will change.

2. "Is the mount included, and is it rated for my TV's actual weight?"

This is where two quotes most often stop being comparable. Ask whether hardware is included, and if you're supplying it, give them the model number ahead of time so weight rating and VESA fit get checked before the appointment rather than at it.

3. "Is cable concealment included, or separate?"

The single biggest source of scope surprises. "Cable management" can mean anything from a zip tie to a full in-wall run with a rated power kit. Get specific about which one you're buying.

4. "If power is going inside the wall, what are you using?"

What you want to hear: a UL-listed in-wall power extension kit.
Red flag: anything involving an extension cord or a power strip cord fished through the wall. Flexible cord isn't rated for permanent in-wall use — this is a genuine safety issue, not a technicality, and it's the fastest way to tell whether someone knows what they're doing.

5. "Are you insured?"

A TV coming off a wall is a several-thousand-dollar event before you count the wall, the floor, and anything below it. Ask, and if you're in a condo tower or a managed building, ask whether they can provide a certificate of insurance — most buildings require one on file before a vendor is allowed up. See our high-rise guide.

Finished TV installation with no visible cords in a Las Vegas living room

6. "Have you worked on this wall type before?"

Stucco over block, brick, large-format tile, stacked stone, and metal studs each need specific tools and technique. There's nothing wrong with asking directly. A confident, specific answer — which anchors, which drill, what they check first — is what you're listening for. Vagueness on a masonry or tile wall is worth taking seriously.

7. "What happens if you find something unexpected in the wall?"

What you want to hear: that work stops and you're consulted before anything changes.
Red flag: "we'll take care of it." Fire blocking, unexpected plumbing, and a wall that turns out to be masonry are all normal discoveries. What matters is whether you get a phone conversation or an invoice.

8. "Will you confirm the height with me before you drill?"

Height is the most-regretted decision in TV mounting and it's completely preventable. Any good installer will mark the position and have you sit down and look at it first. If that isn't part of their process, ask for it — it takes two minutes. Our height guide covers what the right answer looks like.

9. "What does cleanup include?"

Drilling drywall, stucco, or masonry makes a mess, and masonry dust travels. Ask whether they use dust collection, what gets protected, and what the room looks like when they leave. It's a small question that tells you a lot about how a company works.

Three Things Worth Being Wary Of

A price quoted before anyone knows anything about your wall. It's not a quote, it's an opening number.
Hourly with no cap. That's not a lower price than a flat rate — it's an unknown price, and the meter runs while someone works out where your studs are.
Reluctance to put the scope in writing. A text message listing what's included is enough. Refusing to do even that is the signal.

What Our Answers Are

For what it's worth: we quote from a photo of your actual wall, flat rate, before anything is scheduled. In-wall power always uses a rated kit. We confirm height with you standing in the room before a hole is drilled. If we find something in the wall, we stop and call you. And the room gets cleaned before we leave. You can see how our pricing works before you ever text us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a TV installer ask me before quoting?

At minimum: your TV size or model, what the wall is made of, whether you want cords concealed, and ideally a photo. A quote given without any of that is an opening number rather than a real estimate.

How do I know if an installer is doing the wiring safely?

Ask what they use for in-wall power. The correct answer is a UL-listed in-wall power extension kit. If the answer involves fishing an extension cord or power strip cord through the wall, that's not code-compliant and it's a real fire risk.

Should I pay hourly or flat rate for TV installation?

Flat rate, quoted up front, is almost always better for the customer. Hourly with no cap isn't a lower price — it's an unknown one, and any complication becomes your cost rather than the installer's problem.

Is it reasonable to ask for proof of insurance?

Completely. It's a standard question, and in condo and high-rise buildings a certificate of insurance is usually mandatory before a vendor is allowed in the building at all.