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How handy are you? in my opinion, Best Buy and others charge too much and some of their installers arent that good anyway. I found a handyman through Consumer Reports, Customer Reviews, Ratings on Contractors and Doctors who did an awesome job of mounting my two flatscreens. He ran the wiring in the attic and through the walls and even moved an outlet so you cant see any wiring. He was very inexpensive and would have been cheap at twice what he charged.
Mounting is a piece of cake as long as you are decently handy, know how to find the studs and know how to use a level. I mounted mine when I moved into my house. Easy and a single person job except the actual hanging but that part only takes a minute. I talked my cable guy into helping me hang mine since it wasn't up yet when he came to hookup cable and I was alone, lol.
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
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You can do it. A google search will bring up several decent walkthroughs - just don't treat them as gospel. You need to figure out what to do in your house.
I would hire the work out if (i) I had to spend more on tools than on installation, (ii) I had 3 kids under the age of 4 and would be unable to focus on anything for more than ten minutes without interruption, (iii) if I knew in my heart that I was not only un-mechanical but a-mechanical or (iv) all of the above.
Note that you will be able to find very competent installers to do the work for a fraction of the cost of BB.
As Tom said, you need to be able to find the middle of a stud, you need to be able to drill straight holes, you need to be able to hang the equipment level and you need to be able to buy a 12-pack for whoever helps you lift the TV. That's about it.
It's more fun watching a TV that you installed personally, by the way.
I mounted both of my flatscreens. It takes about 30 minutes and relatively easy to do. All you need is an extra person (or two) to help lift the TV, a stud finder (around $4-5 at Home Depot), pencil, and a Craftsmen. Everything else usually comes with the bracket/mounting kit.
Over fireplaces is a popular place but the worse place unless you are spacially limited.
I know it seems to be the "popular" place, but it really isn't the most comfortable place to watch a television.
My brother has it and I find it terribly uncomfortable to sit on a couch or better yet lay down on a couch and keep my eyes in an up position.
oh well, TEHO.....
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