When people move out, one question comes up a lot: should you leave your TV wall mount on the wall, or take it off? The answer usually comes down to one thing. Do you want to patch and paint the wall afterwards, or not?
Why It’s Usually Easiest to Leave Your TV Wall Mount
If you leave the bracket on the wall, there’s nothing to patch. The bracket covers its own holes and the wall stays as it is. The next person moving in also gets a wall that’s ready for their TV.
The catch is that you need to leave the whole bracket. Most brackets come in two parts: the plate that screws to the wall, and the arms that bolt onto the back of the TV. I’ve seen plenty of moves where the wall plate stayed behind but the arms went with the TV. That leaves half a bracket that’s no use to anyone.
Before the TV leaves the house, take the arms off the back and leave them behind too. It also helps to tape a small bag with the bolts and spacers to the wall plate, so nothing goes missing.
Removing the Bracket Means Patching and Painting
If the bracket comes off, you’ll have bolt holes in the wall. In most cases, you’ll need to fill, sand and paint them. If the cables run inside the wall, there are usually brush plates where they come out. Taking those out leaves bigger holes than the bracket bolts, so the patching job is larger.
Painting can be the trickier part. Paint fades over time, so a fresh patch doesn’t always blend in with the rest of the wall. Sometimes you need to repaint the whole wall to get an even finish.
Which Cables to Take With You When You Move on the Northern Beaches
Some people take the cables out of the wall when they move, and some leave them behind. Leaving HDMI or antenna cables in the wall isn’t a big deal.
The one to watch is the TV’s power cable. More than once, I’ve turned up at someone’s new house to install their TV. The power cable was still in the wall at the old one. If that happens, you can usually pick up a replacement from JB Hi-Fi or Jaycar, since most TV power cables are a standard type. Sometimes there’s a spare one somewhere in the house anyway.
If your Samsung Frame uses a One Connect box, make sure you take the One Connect cable with you. It’s a very specific cable for that TV, so you can’t just pick one up from a shop on the day. I hid one inside the wall on a Frame job in Beacon Hill.
Renting on the North Shore or Northern Beaches? Think Twice About Conduit
If you’re renting, I don’t usually suggest running cables in a conduit stuck to the wall. When you pull it off at the end of the lease, it can take a lot of paint with it. That can turn into a bigger repair than the bracket holes.
Check Before You Leave Your TV Wall Mount
If you’re selling or renting, check with your agent or landlord before deciding whether the bracket stays. Some buyers and landlords are happy for a bracket to stay. Others may expect you to return the wall to how it was. Renters in NSW can read the government’s rules on making changes to a rental property. A quick question early saves a last-minute job on moving day.
Moving into a new place too? Here’s what to have ready before your TV installer arrives. If you’re moving on the Northern Beaches or North Shore and need your TV mounted at your new place, get in touch through the contact page or send a message.