DIY TV mounting is feasible solo for TVs under 55 inches on wood-stud drywall. Above 55 inches, the install becomes a two-person job for the lift step alone. After 7,874 documented TV installs across Metro Atlanta, the failure rate on solo DIY 65-inch+ installs is approximately 3x higher than two-person installs - the most common failure is the panel dropping during the bracket-to-TV connection step. For first-time installers, the realistic DIY ceiling is a 55-inch TV on wood studs with no fireplace involvement.
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Thinking about skipping the handyman and mounting your TV on the wall solo?
Good news: you can absolutely do it yourself - if you’re well-prepared, have the right tools, and follow the steps carefully. For the full walkthrough across all wall types and TV sizes, see our flagship guide on how to mount a TV. Mounting a flat-screen TV on the wall adds a sleek, modern look to any room and frees up space - no bulky stands or wobbling consoles.
At Express Mounting, we’ve helped 7,874 documented Atlanta homeowners who first tried to DIY their installation - and while many succeeded, others needed help fixing tilted, unsafe, or damaged setups.
This guide walks you through how to safely and confidently mount a TV on the wall by yourself, including what tools to use, how to lift it without help, and when to call a pro.
Is it safe to mount a TV solo?
✅ Yes - but only under certain conditions.
If your TV is under 50-55 inches and relatively lightweight, you can likely handle it on your own. But TVs over 65 inches tend to be heavy, awkward to handle, and can easily tip or fall during solo installation.
Also consider your wall type:
- Drywall with wood studs? Totally doable.
- Brick or concrete? You’ll need extra tools (and strength).
- Mounting over a fireplace? We strongly recommend help.
Pro tip: Use a table, ottoman, or adjustable stand to support your TV while mounting it solo - don’t try to lift it in mid-air without backup.
Tools you’ll need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following (for a complete breakdown, see our guide on tools to wall mount a TV):
- ✅ Stud finder (the Franklin ProSensor 710 is what I carry on every install - lights up the entire stud edge in one pass, no false positives)
- ✅ Cordless drill with drill bits (an 18V cordless has the torque you need for lag bolts)
- ✅ Screwdriver or impact driver
- ✅ Socket wrench (for lag bolts)
- ✅ Level (bubble or laser)
- ✅ Tape measure
- ✅ Pencil or painter’s tape for marking
- ✅ Compatible wall mount (rated for your TV size and weight) - the Sanus VLF728 full-motion mount handles 42-90 inch TVs and is what I default to for residential installs
- ✅ Lag bolts (3/8 x 3 inch Grade 5 minimum - skip the cheap zinc bolts that ship in most mount boxes)
- ✅ TV and screws that match your VESA pattern
Optional but helpful:
- Painter’s tape for guides
- Pillows or blankets to protect your floor
- Step ladder (especially for high mounts)
Step-by-step: how to mount a TV on the wall by yourself
1. Find and mark your wall studs
Use a stud finder to locate two solid wall studs spaced 16-24 inches apart. These will provide the structural support needed to hold your TV. Mark the center of each stud with a pencil or painter’s tape.
Tip: Always mount into studs. Drywall anchors alone are NOT safe for TVs, especially anything over 30 lbs.
2. Plan your TV height and position
Using your tape measure and level, determine the ideal height based on seating and viewing angle. Mark the top and bottom edges of where the wall mount will sit. Most people prefer the center of the screen to sit at eye level while seated - usually around 42-48 inches from the floor.
Mounting too high can cause neck strain, especially for extended viewing.
3. Drill pilot holes for the wall mount bracket
Hold your wall mount bracket up to the wall (use painter’s tape or place it on a box or table temporarily). Use your level to double-check alignment, then mark the hole locations.
Use your drill to make pilot holes into the center of the studs using a bit slightly smaller than the lag bolts you’ll be using. Wondering which fastener is right for your setup? Check our toggle bolts vs lag bolts guide.
4. Attach the wall plate to the wall
Line up the wall bracket with your drilled holes and use lag bolts to attach it to the wall. Use a socket wrench or impact driver to tighten the bolts securely.
Double-check that the bracket is level after tightening. It should feel firm with no wiggle or looseness.
Tip: If you’re using a tilting or full-motion bracket, make sure the arm mechanism is free-moving but not loose.
5. Attach the mounting arms to your TV
Lay your TV face down on a clean, soft surface (like a blanket or towel). Locate the four screw holes (VESA pattern) on the back and attach the mounting arms using the included screws. Make sure everything is evenly tightened and the arms are securely attached.
6. Mount the TV - safely and solo
Here’s how to lift the TV onto the bracket without help:
- Place a sturdy box, ottoman, or short table just below the mount to help lift and rest the TV if needed.
- Use both hands to carefully lift the TV and hook the mounting arms onto the wall bracket.
- Some brackets “click” into place - others require securing with locking screws underneath.
- Double-check alignment and make sure the TV is locked in fully.
For larger TVs, consider getting someone to help for this step - it’s the hardest part to do alone.
Optional: hide your cables for a clean look
Now that your TV is on the wall, don’t leave a tangle of wires hanging down.
Here are a few solo-friendly options for cable management:
- 🔌 Cable raceways - Paintable, surface-mounted channels that hide cords. Easy to install with adhesive backing.
- 🔧 In-wall cable management kits - Let you run HDMI and power behind drywall for a seamless finish (requires more tools and confidence).
- 🪵 Mounting a decorative board or shelf - Hide wires behind a floating shelf or wall panel.
Want a pro to handle the wiring part? We offer custom cable concealment services - fast, clean, and code-compliant.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even confident DIYers make mistakes. Here are the most common ones we see (and fix):
- ❌ Using plastic drywall anchors instead of lag bolts
- ❌ Skipping the stud finder and guessing
- ❌ Mounting too high above eye level
- ❌ Forgetting to tighten all locking screws
- ❌ Not checking for wires or pipes before drilling
- ❌ Leaving cables visible and messy
When to call a professional
DIY can be rewarding - but there are some scenarios where calling a pro is the smart move:
- Your TV is 65 inches or larger (for 85”+ panels, see our heavy-duty TV mounting guide)
- You’re mounting on brick, stone, concrete, or over a fireplace
- You want wires completely hidden in the wall
- You’re not confident using power tools
- You want it done perfectly - the first time
Why Atlanta homeowners trust Express Mounting
We’ve mounted thousands of TVs across Atlanta - from basic bedrooms to luxury home theaters. We bring:
✅ TV mounts (tilt, flat, and swivel)
✅ Power tools, anchors, and all hardware
✅ Fast, clean installation
✅ Brick, drywall, fireplace, and custom setups
✅ Guaranteed level and secure install every time
We get called for these rescues constantly. A recent Marietta call: a customer attempted a solo 75” Samsung install in a finished basement and the panel slipped during the bracket-to-TV connection step, cracking the bottom corner of the screen against an ottoman. We replaced the bracket with a Sanus VLF728, ran 3/8 x 3 inch Grade 5 lag bolts into the doubled-up basement studs, and got the new (insurance-replaced) panel up safely in 45 minutes. Lesson: anything 65” or larger is a two-person lift, full stop.
Express Mounting service pricing (Metro Atlanta)
If you’d rather skip the DIY: Express Mounting flat-rates TV mount installs in Metro Atlanta - basic mount $149 (up to 54”), $199 (55-69”), $259 (70-79”), $319 (80”+). Cable concealment $119 per TV. Masonry surcharge +$119 for brick or stone walls. Travel +$59 outside 25 miles of Alpharetta. Typical solo-DIY rescue (re-leveling a tilted mount, replacing failed drywall anchors with proper lag bolts into studs) is the same as a fresh install - it’s the same labor either way. Call (470) 888-0030 or book online.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mount a 65-inch TV by myself?
Technically yes, but the lift step is the highest-risk moment of any DIY install. A 65-inch TV typically weighs 50-70 lbs and is awkward to grip. Our install data shows solo 65-inch+ installs fail at roughly 3x the rate of two-person installs. If you must go solo, use an ottoman or sturdy box positioned directly below the bracket to rest the panel between lift and lock-in.
What size TV is too heavy to lift alone?
For most adults, the practical solo lift ceiling is a 55-inch TV (typically 30-45 lbs). Anything 65 inches or larger should be a two-person lift for safety, even if you can technically carry it alone, because the bracket-to-TV connection requires holding the panel steady while engaging hooks or pins.
How long does a DIY TV mount take?
For a first-time installer on wood-stud drywall with a 55-inch TV: plan 90-120 minutes. Experienced DIYers finish in 45-60 minutes. Brick, concrete, or fireplace installs add 30-60 minutes. Cable concealment behind drywall adds another 60-90 minutes.
Do I need a stud finder for a DIY mount?
Yes. Drywall anchors alone are not rated for TV weight, and guessing stud location risks drilling into wiring or pipes. A basic magnetic stud finder costs under $15. For brick or concrete walls, you do not need a stud finder, but you do need a masonry bit and concrete anchors.
Is mounting over a fireplace safe to DIY?
We do not recommend it. Fireplace installs involve high mounting positions, potential heat exposure concerns, brick or stone substrates, and often require running cables behind a mantel. The combination pushes most fireplace installs into pro-only territory.
What’s the most common DIY failure?
Across roughly 7,874 documented Atlanta installs, the failures we get called to fix break down predictably: (1) drywall anchor failure where the homeowner skipped the studs entirely - the mount holds for a few weeks then rips out, taking a chunk of drywall with it; (2) the panel slipped or cracked during the solo lift step on TVs 65 inches and larger; (3) the wall plate is mounted dead-level but the mount itself is rotated, leaving the TV crooked; (4) cheap zinc bolts shipped with the mount sheared off under load and had to be replaced with 3/8 x 3 inch Grade 5 lag bolts. The first failure mode is by far the most common - if you take one thing from this guide, it is: never skip the stud finder.
How long should a DIY install take?
For a first-time installer mounting a 55-inch TV on standard wood-stud drywall: realistically 90-120 minutes start to finish, including unpacking the mount, finding studs, marking, drilling, leveling, bracket attachment, and the lift step. Experienced DIYers finish in 45-60 minutes. Brick or concrete installs add 30-60 minutes due to the masonry drilling. Cable concealment behind drywall (in-wall power bridge kit) adds another 60-90 minutes. If your install passes the 3-hour mark, stop and reassess - something is wrong (wrong studs, wrong bracket, wrong fasteners) and pushing through usually compounds the problem.
About the author
This guide was written by Alex Crabinsky, owner of Express Mounting, based on direct field experience from 7,874 documented TV installs across Metro Atlanta.
Skip the stress. Let us help.
Mounting your TV on the wall by yourself is possible - and if you’re comfortable with tools and follow the steps, it can be a satisfying project.
But if you’d rather skip the stress and guarantee a clean, secure install with no hassle, we’ve got your back.
👉 Visit ExpressMounting.com to book your TV installation in Atlanta, GA, get a fast quote, or ask questions.
📍 Express Mounting - Atlanta’s trusted choice for expert TV mounting, done right the first time.