Buying a new telly is exciting, innit? The sleek design, crystal-clear picture, and impressive sound system promise countless hours of entertainment. But here’s something many folks overlook – getting it properly installed. I’ve seen too many gorgeous (and expensive!) TVs precariously balanced on furniture clearly not designed to hold them. Been there myself, actually.

Professional TV installation might seem like an unnecessary expense when you’re already splashing out on the latest smart TV. After all, how hard can it be to plug in a few cables? But trust me — there’s MUCH more to proper installation than meets the eye. Having had both disastrous DIY attempts & professional setups in my home over the years, I can spot the difference immediately.

Let’s explore the genuine benefits of getting the pros in for your TV installation. These advantages might just convince you it’s worth every penny.

Expert Positioning for Optimal Viewing

Ever sat down to watch your favourite programme only to be bothered by screen glare or an awkward viewing angle? It’s properly annoying. Professional installers understand the science behind TV placement. They consider room dimensions, lighting sources, seating arrangements, and even the specific model of your TV.

When I had my lounge telly professionally mounted, the installer spent nearly 20 minutes just analysing light patterns throughout the day. He explained how natural light would hit the screen at different times and positioned it to minimise glare. Something I’d never have thought of!

The height matters tremendously too. Mount it too high, and you’ll end up with neck strain during movie marathons. Too low, and it becomes vulnerable to accidental bumps (or curious toddlers). Professionals follow industry guidelines for ideal viewing heights based on your specific seating arrangement — typically with the centre of the screen at eye level when seated.

Safety First — Preventing Costly Accidents

Did you know that A&E departments across the UK regularly treat injuries from falling televisions? Modern flat-screens may be lighter than old CRT models, but they’re still heavy enough to cause serious harm if they topple over. A 55-inch TV can weigh upwards of 15kg!

Professional installers use appropriate mounting hardware rated for your specific TV weight & size. They’re also trained to identify wall types (plasterboard, brick, concrete) and use the correct anchoring techniques for each. My installer used a stud finder to locate the wooden beams behind my plaster wall — something I would’ve skipped entirely.

Beyond personal safety, there’s the matter of protecting your investment. A properly mounted TV is far less likely to fall and break. Given that high-end TVs can cost well over £1,000, the £100-200 for professional installation suddenly seems like cheap insurance.

Clean Cable Management

Nothing ruins the sleek look of a wall-mounted TV like a tangled mess of cables hanging down. It’s unsightly & collects dust like nobody’s business. Professional installers excel at hiding these cables, either by threading them through walls or using discreet cable covers that blend with your décor.

When my living room TV was installed, the technician created a small access point behind the TV and another near my floor-level outlets. He then fished the cables through the wall cavity, resulting in a completely clean look. No visible wires whatsoever! For my bedroom installation where fishing wasn’t possible (concrete walls), he used a slim cable channel painted the same colour as my wall. From a distance, you can’t even tell it’s there.

This kind of polished finish is incredably difficult to achieve on your own without specialized tools and experience. Plus, pros know exactly how much slack to leave for each cable type to prevent signal degradation while maintaining a tidy appearance.

Proper Integration with Your Home Entertainment System

Modern televisions rarely operate in isolation. They’re typically connected to sound systems, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and sometimes even home automation systems. Getting all these components to work together seamlessly can be… challenging.

Professional installers don’t just mount your TV — they ensure it’s properly integrated with your entire entertainment ecosystem. They understand the sometimes-complex signal paths, audio formats, and connectivity requirements of different devices. When my installer noticed I had a 4K-capable receiver but was using standard HDMI cables, he explained I wouldn’t get the full benefit of my equipment without upgrading those cables — something I had no idea about!

They also test everything thoroughly before leaving. This means checking all inputs, calibrating audio settings, and making sure your remote control setup works logically. No more juggling four different remotes just to watch Netflix!

Expert Calibration for Picture Perfect Viewing

Did you know most TVs come from the factory with settings optimised for showroom floors rather than home viewing? These settings (often called “vivid” or “dynamic” mode) crank up brightness & saturation to catch your eye in brightly-lit stores, but they’re terrible for actual home use & can even reduce your TV’s lifespan.

Professional installers can properly calibrate your television’s picture settings based on your specific room conditions. They adjust brightness, contrast, colour temperature and other settings to provide the most realistic image possible. My installer even had different presets for daytime and nighttime viewing, which made a MASSIVE difference to my viewing experience.

Some higher-end installation services even offer professional colour calibration using specialised equipment. This might seem excessive, but once you’ve seen a properly calibrated TV, it’s hard to go back. The natural skin tones, accurate colours, and proper black levels transform your viewing experience.

Time & Stress Savings

Let’s be honest — mounting a TV isn’t a five-minute job. For the average person without the right tools or experience, it can easily consume an entire afternoon (and possibly damage a wall in the process). I once spent nearly 6 hours trying to mount a TV myself, only to realise it was slightly crooked after finishing. Maddening!

Professional installers typically complete the job in 1-2 hours, depending on complexity. They arrive with all the necessary tools and hardware, know exactly what they’re doing, and have dealt with virtually every potential complication before. This efficiency means less disruption to your day & zero stress for you.

Also worth considering: the physical effort involved. Large TVs are awkward to handle, and holding them in position while marking mounting points is a two-person job at minimum. Professionals come equipped with the manpower needed to safely handle your television without risking damage.

Warranty Protection & Peace of Mind

Many people don’t realise that DIY installation might actually void aspects of your TV’s warranty. Manufacturers can sometimes deny claims if they determine that improper installation contributed to the problem. Professional installation often preserves these warranty protections.

Furthermore, reputable installation companies typically offer their own warranty on the installation work. If anything goes wrong with the mounting or if the TV isn’t secure, they’ll come back and fix it at no additional cost. When my wall-mounted TV developed a slight tilt after about 6 months (turned out my old house was settling slightly!), the installation company returned and fixed it free of charge.

This additional layer of protection gives real peace of mind, especially with higher-end televisions that represent a significant investment. No waking up to the horrifying crash of your TV hitting the floor at 3am!

The Bottom Line

Professional TV installation might seem like an unnecessary expense at first glance. But when you consider the safety benefits, superior viewing experience, clean aesthetic, and time savings — it quickly becomes clear that it’s money well spent. For most households, the £100-200 cost represents a small fraction of the TV’s purchase price yet delivers significant improvements to both safety & enjoyment.

I’ve gone both routes over the years, & I can tell you without hesitation that I’ll never again attempt to install a TV myself. Some things really are best left to the professionals — and this is definitely one of them. Your beautiful new telly deserves better than a wobbly DIY job, doesn’t it?