If you are a reasonably skilled home handyperson, installing a TV wall mount is not too difficult. The main thing to remember is to to use the right fasteners for the type of wall you will be fixing the TV wall mount to. Use this brief step-by-step guide and your flat screen TV will end up where you want it to be and stay there.

How to Install a TV Wall Mount

1. Start by mounting the TV bracket to the back of your television screen following the directions provided by the manufacturer of you wall mount. Tighten the screws firmly, but don't over-tighten.
   
   
2. Find the ideal location for your LCD or plasma screen. Depending on whether it is a brick wall or a plasterboard wall, different screws and/or anchors will be needed. If you are mounting your TV onto a plasterboard wall, use a studfinder to locate any wall studs you can fix wood screws into. If there are and you can use them without having to mount the screen too far from its ideal position, use these. If not, all is not lost, but you will need to purchase the right anchors.
   
   
3. Once you know where your TV wall mount is going, mount the wall bracket onto the TV bracket and measure the distance from the top of the screen to the top of the wall bracket. Go back to the wall and mark where you want the top of the screen to be mounted.
   
   
4. Now measure down to where the wall bracket will ideally be placed. Hold the bracket in place and use a spirit level to make sure it is perfectly level. Using a pencil, mark where the screw holes are going to be located.
   
   
5. Set the wall bracket aside and check to see if the screws will be going into wall studs. If not, make the necessary adjustments or purchase the appropriate anchors.
   
   
6. If you are going to be installing the wiring yourself, do that before you secure the TV wall mount. First hold the mount against the wall and mark where it is going to be located with a pencil or tape. Then locate where your cable outlets will be located and install the wiring and the appropriate cover. If you are not a licensed electrician, it is illegal to do wiring work yourself. So always contact a a professional installer or a licensed electrician to do this work.


7. Once the cabling is completed, it's time to fix the wall bracket. Once that's done, it's just a matter of slipping the screen with its attached screen  bracket onto the wall bracket and plugging it in. This is usually a job for two even with smaller flat screen TVs and a necessity with larger ones.

TV Wall Mount Installation Precautions 

This guide assumes you have basic carpentry skills. If you are unsure of what wall anchors are or how to use them, It's best to leave the job to a professional. The anchors you use are critical to your success. Large flat screen TVs are very heavy and must be securely anchored. Remember the old adage, "Do it right, do it once." Double check all your measurements before you start drilling and you will only have to "do it once."

If you're not particularly handy, use the hipages directory to find a handyman in your local area.