Can You Install a TV Mount Yourself? What You Should Know Before You Try

Short answer: yes, you can mount a TV yourself. Plenty of people do it well. But the gap between a great DIY install and a slightly-off one is small, and the consequences of getting it wrong are bigger than people expect. So before you reach for the drill, here is what every DIYer should think through honestly.

This isn't a "don't try, call us instead" article. It's a working installer's view on what's actually involved — the tools, the wall types, the mistakes that show up later — so you can make an informed call. For context on what a professional install actually involves and costs in 2026, you might also read our complete TV mounting cost guide alongside this one.

The honest case for doing it yourself

If you have done a few DIY projects, own basic tools, and have a wall that is straightforward to mount on, DIY TV mounting is genuinely achievable. People who succeed at it tend to share a few characteristics:

They own (or can borrow) a decent drill, a stud finder, a spirit level, and a tape measure.
They have someone available to help lift the TV onto the bracket.
They know what their wall is made of — or are willing to test before drilling.
They are patient enough to measure twice before drilling once.

If that sounds like you, read on. There is no reason you can't do this.

What you need before you start

Tools

A drill — not a battery screwdriver. You need an impact drill for masonry, and the right drill bits for your wall type.
Drill bits — masonry bits for brick or concrete, twist bits for drywall framing, the right diameter for your plugs.
A stud finder — essential for drywall installs. The cheap magnetic ones work; the better electronic ones are more reliable.
A spirit level — laser levels are nicer but a 30cm bubble level does the job.
A tape measure, pencil, and masking tape for marking.
A second pair of hands — lifting a 50-inch TV onto a wall bracket alone is asking for trouble.

Bracket — the most important purchase

Spend money here. Cheap brackets are where most DIY installs go wrong. Look for:

A bracket rated for your TV's weight with a safety margin — if your TV is 25kg, buy a bracket rated for at least 40kg.
A bracket that matches your TV's VESA pattern — the standardised mounting hole spacing on the back of your screen, defined by the international VESA flat-display mounting interface. Check your TV's manual or measure the holes.
Included fixings — the bracket should come with TV-side bolts, wall-side screws and anchors for at least one wall type.

If you would rather skip the research, our detailed guide to choosing the right TV bracket walks through fixed vs tilt vs full-motion and which type suits which room.

How to know what your wall is made of

This is where DIYers get caught out most often. South African homes have a mix of wall types and they each need a different approach:

Solid double-brick

The most common wall type in older Gauteng homes. Tap it — it sounds solid, dense. A magnet won't stick. Drilling needs an impact drill on hammer mode and a masonry bit. Use rated masonry plugs (often called "yellow plugs" in the smallest size) and the corresponding screw.

Drywall (gypsum board on a timber frame)

Common in newer townhouses and renovated extensions. Tap it — it sounds hollow. A magnet may stick where screws hold the board to studs. Use a stud finder to locate the timber studs — they are typically 600mm apart — and drive your screws directly into the studs. Never anchor a TV bracket using just drywall plugs. Drywall alone cannot safely hold a TV.

Solid concrete

Common in apartment blocks. Sounds very solid when tapped, drilling is hard going, dust is grey rather than red. Needs rated rawl bolts and an impact drill. This is the hardest DIY wall to drill — many DIYers underestimate the time required.

Partition walls (board over hollow framing)

Some interior walls are non-load-bearing partition walls with timber or steel framing. Treat them like drywall — find the studs, anchor into them.

Face-brick / patio walls

Outdoor patio walls need stainless or galvanised fixings to resist weathering. Plain steel screws will rust within months.

The biggest DIY mistakes we see

We are routinely called to fix or finish DIY installs that didn't go to plan. Here are the patterns we see most often:

1. Anchoring into drywall instead of studs

The single most common failure. A TV mounted into drywall plugs alone will hold for a few months, then sag, then eventually pull free of the wall — often taking a chunk of plasterboard with it. Always find the studs. If your stud spacing doesn't line up with the bracket mount points, use rated toggle bolts as a fallback, not standard plugs.

2. Mounting at the wrong height

The "comfortable viewing height" rule of thumb: the centre of the TV should be roughly at eye level when you're seated. People consistently mount too high because the TV looks "neat" near the top of the wall. After three weeks they start complaining of neck strain. Measure where your eyes actually sit when you're watching, then position the screen so the centre is at that height.

3. Forgetting the cables

You mounted the TV, you levelled it perfectly, and then you realised the HDMI cable from the decoder won't reach. Or worse, the power point is on the wrong side and you have a fat cable visible across the wall. Plan cable routing before you drill.

4. Drilling into pipes or wiring

Walls aren't empty. Older homes especially can have water pipes or electrical conduit running through walls. A wire detector ($30 at any hardware store) can save you a very expensive accident. Always scan before you drill.

5. Buying the wrong bracket for the TV

Brackets are advertised generously. A bracket sold as "supports up to 65 inches" may struggle with a heavy 65-inch OLED. Always check the weight rating, not just the size. And confirm the VESA pattern matches your TV.

6. Not levelling before tightening

It takes 30 seconds to put a spirit level on the bracket before you tighten the final screws. People skip this step under tension and end up with a TV that is visibly crooked. Fix it before tightening.

Step-by-step: a basic DIY install on a brick wall

For a fixed bracket on solid double-brick (the most common DIY scenario):

Decide the position. Centre of TV at your seated eye level. Use masking tape to mark the screen outline on the wall and live with it for an hour before drilling.
Attach the TV-side bracket arms to the back of your TV using the bolts that came with the bracket. Confirm the VESA pattern is correct first.
Lay the wall-side plate against the wall. Level it. Mark the screw hole positions through the plate using a pencil.
Remove the plate. Scan the marked positions with a wire detector. If clear, drill the holes with a masonry bit to the depth your plug requires.
Tap the masonry plugs in flush with the wall.
Hold the plate against the wall, drive in the wall screws, and confirm the plate is solid. It shouldn't move at all.
Lift the TV (two people) and hook the TV-side arms onto the wall plate. Secure the locking mechanism (varies by bracket).
Connect HDMI, power, audio. Test before you tidy cables.

That's the simplified version. Real installs vary, but the principle holds.

When to absolutely call a professional

Some scenarios are not DIY territory. Call an installer if:

The TV is 75 inches or larger. Heavy, awkward to handle, and a failure here is expensive.
You want in-wall cable concealment. This involves cutting drywall, running cables, fishing them out at the bottom and patching the holes. It's not beginner territory.
The wall is solid concrete. Drilling concrete for a TV mount is genuinely hard going and beyond most home drills.
You're mounting on face-brick patio walls and you want it to survive outdoor conditions.
You're in an apartment block with strict drilling rules. The trustees want method statements, not a Saturday morning DIY.
You don't have a second person to help lift the TV.
Anything about this article makes you uncertain.

What does the alternative cost?

If you decide DIY isn't for you, a professional install in Gauteng typically runs R450 to R1,800 depending on TV size, bracket and cable management. We've written a full pricing guide here: How much does it cost to mount a TV in South Africa?

The bottom line

DIY TV mounting is achievable if you have the tools, the time, a second pair of hands, and a wall you understand. It is not the right call for big or heavy TVs, complex cable concealment, or installs where the finish really matters.

If you decide to do it yourself, take your time, measure carefully, and don't skip the stud finder. If you decide to call us, send a photo of your TV and wall on WhatsApp to 079 123 4567 and we'll quote you within minutes.