A little preparation makes a real difference to installation day. The job goes quicker, there’s less moving things around, and you’re watching your TV sooner. Here’s what to have ready before your TV installer arrives, based on what I ask my customers on the Northern Beaches and North Shore.
Send Me a Few Photos When You Book
Photos before the job help me turn up with exactly what’s needed. Useful ones are:
- The wall where the TV is going
- Where the power points and antenna point are
- Your current TV, if there’s one on the wall already
- Your other gear, such as the Foxtel box, soundbar or games console
- Any existing holes in the wall where cables already come out
It also helps to send your new TV’s make and model, plus the height of the TV unit or cabinet it will sit above.
Leave the TV in Its Box
This one surprises people, but it’s genuinely easier if the TV stays in the box. I’ll unpack it myself and lay it face-down on the box. That gives it a safe, padded surface while I fit the bracket or stand. It also lets me measure the TV accurately before anything goes on the wall.
Screens scratch or crack easily if you lean them against a wall or lay them on the floor. So the box is the safest place until I’m ready.
If you’re reusing an old bracket, just have it there. Don’t worry if the bolts have gone missing, as I carry all the different lengths and sizes.
Clear the Area Before Your TV Installer Arrives
Clear the space where the TV is going: toys, plants, photo frames, ornaments and anything on or around the cabinet. I need room to work, and there will be some drilling, so keep anything fragile well out of the way.
If the TV cabinet needs to move, take everything out of it first so it’s lighter and safer to shift.
Have Your Wifi and Streaming Logins Ready
Setting up apps is a big part of most jobs, and it’s where things can slow down. Have ready:
- Your wifi name and password
- The email addresses and passwords for each streaming service you use
- Your phone or tablet, since most streaming apps now log in by scanning a QR code on the TV screen
If your wifi is weak where the TV goes, a mesh system can help. I’ve written about setting up a Nest Wifi Pro. NBN Co also has tips to improve your home internet set-up.
Talk About Height and Position Beforehand
If the TV is going on the wall, chat with the rest of the household before I arrive. Talk about how high you’d like it, and whether it should sit centred on the wall or off to the left or right.
I’ll go through this with you on the day anyway, since every lounge room and every family is different. Having already talked it over just makes the decision quicker. I’ve written more about how I choose the TV height with customers.
A Couple of Final Things Before Your TV Installer Arrives
- Pets: keep them in another room. There will be drilling, and I may leave doors open while I work.
- Apartments: if visitor parking is available, let me know. I bring quite a few tools up, so parking close by makes a big difference.
Get these sorted before your TV installer arrives, and the job will go smoothly. If you’re on the Northern Beaches or North Shore and ready to book a TV installation, get in touch through the contact page or send a message.