A wall-mounted TV looks sharp until you notice the black cable running down the wall to a socket by the skirting board. Hiding the wires is the difference between a TV that is merely on the wall and one that looks built in. This guide explains the options, what each involves, and how to choose, based on the way we fit TVs across London homes and flats.
Why the cables are the hard part
Mounting the bracket is the quick bit. The cables are where the planning goes. A typical set-up has a power lead, an HDMI cable, perhaps an aerial or Ethernet lead, and a soundbar or console feeding in. Left on show, they are untidy. Pushed carelessly into a wall, they can be unsafe or simply impossible to replace later.
There are three realistic ways to deal with them, and they suit different walls and budgets.
Option 1: Surface tidy
The simplest approach is to mount the TV securely and tidy the leads neatly, using trunking or clips where appropriate. It costs the least and avoids cutting into the plaster, which makes it popular in rented flats where the landlord allows a bracket but not chasing the wall.
Our Basic Install covers a level, secure mount on any wall type with load-tested fixings and a cable tidy for a clean finish. It is £149 inc. VAT, and same-day installation is available in most areas. If you simply want the TV up safely and neat, this is the sensible choice.
Option 2: In-wall cable concealment
For a cleaner look, the cables are routed inside the wall so nothing is visible between the TV and the equipment. This is the finish most people picture when they ask for hidden wires.
Standard Install: £229 inc. VAT. It includes certified engineer installation, full in-wall cable concealment, precise levelling and alignment, TVs up to 75", and a safety check, tidy-up and demonstration before we leave.
For larger screens or a full entertainment set-up, Premium Install: £349 inc. VAT covers full cable management and concealment, screens up to 85" with all bracket types, and Sky, soundbar and console hook-up. Everything is connected and working before the engineer leaves.
Walls vary. Solid brick, stud partitions and period plaster all behave differently, which is why we assess the wall before choosing the route for the cables. Our TV wall mounting page shows the full range, and our TV wall mounting cost guide compares the three packages side by side.
The overlooked problem: where does the power come from?
Here is the catch with in-wall concealment. You can hide the HDMI and aerial leads inside the wall, but the power lead still has to reach a socket. If the nearest one is at floor level, you have a hidden signal cable and a visible power cable, which defeats the purpose.
The answer is a new power point directly behind the TV, so the plug is out of sight behind the screen. Our Media Wall Power Kit: £329 inc. VAT provides a new socket or fused spur behind the TV with a concealed in-wall cable feed, as Part P compliant work, and it pairs with any TV mounting package.
Do not be tempted to run a standard mains extension inside a wall cavity. Mains wiring needs to be done properly and tested. If you also want other electrical jobs done on the same day, a Half-Day Electrical Visit is £279 inc. VAT for up to four hours on site. Materials are quoted separately, so we confirm what is needed before work starts.
Going further: the full media wall
If you are planning a feature wall with backlighting, a soundbar and consoles, the wiring needs to be designed together rather than added piece by piece. Our Media Wall package is £549 inc. VAT and includes TV and soundbar mounting, all cables hidden in the wall, LED backlighting, games console setup, and patching and making good. You can read more on our audio-visual page and in our guide to media walls and home cinema.
Do not forget a wired connection
While the wall is open, it is worth thinking about a network cable. A wired connection to the TV or console is more reliable than Wi-Fi for streaming and gaming. A Single Cat6 Point is £129 inc. VAT, installed, terminated, tested and labelled, and a Home 4-Point Bundle is £399 inc. VAT. Details are on our data networking page, and our Cat6 cabling guide explains when a wired point is worth it.
How to choose
- Renting or unwilling to cut into the wall: Basic Install.
- Owner-occupier wanting a clean wall: Standard Install, plus the Media Wall Power Kit if the socket is far away.
- Large screen with Sky, soundbar and consoles: Premium Install.
- Feature wall with lighting: Media Wall.
All prices above are inc. VAT. A bracket is extra unless you already have one, in which case we fit yours. If your TV has just been delivered from a department store, the good news is that same-day installation is available in most areas, so you do not have to live with it propped on a unit.
We fit TVs across London, with local pages for areas such as Putney, Wimbledon and Islington, and a full list of areas we cover. Tell us your wall type, TV size and where the nearest socket is, and we will recommend the right route.