It's one of the most Googled questions when people think about getting their TV mounted — "Do I need to hire an electrician?" The short answer is: in the vast majority of cases, no. A specialist TV mounting service can handle everything you need, at a fraction of the cost of bringing in an electrician, and with a cleaner finish.
Let's explain exactly why — and when an electrician might actually be needed.
✅ The simple answer: TV wall mounting and cable management are not electrical work. You do not need a qualified electrician to mount a TV, hide cables behind trunking, or conceal cables inside a wall — in any home across Birmingham or the West Midlands.
Why You Don't Need an Electrician
The confusion often comes from the fact that wires and cables are involved. But there's an important distinction: TV cables and AV cables are low-voltage signal cables — HDMI leads, aerial cables, power extension leads. They're not mains electrical wiring. Dealing with them doesn't require any electrical qualification.
What you do need is someone who:
- Knows how to safely mount a TV bracket on your specific wall type
- Can identify and avoid pipes and cables hidden behind walls (using a detector)
- Knows the best way to route and conceal cables cleanly
- Can produce a showroom-quality finish without making a mess of your wall
That's exactly what we do at TV Wall Mounting Birmingham — and none of it requires an electrician's certificate.
What an Electrician Would & Wouldn't Do
✗ An Electrician Is NOT Needed For
- Mounting the TV bracket
- Hanging the TV on the wall
- Hiding HDMI & AV cables
- Running cables through trunking
- Concealing cables inside the wall
- Connecting Sky, Netflix, soundbars etc.
- Setting up smart home systems
✓ An Electrician May Be Needed For
- Moving your mains power socket behind the TV (optional)
- Installing a new double socket at TV height
- Any work on the mains ring circuit
- Installing a media plate with mains connections
Notice how short the "electrician needed" list is — and notice that every item on it is entirely optional. You don't need to move your mains socket to get a clean TV installation. There are excellent alternatives that achieve the same result without any electrical work.
How We Hide Your Cables Without an Electrician
Getting a clean, wire-free look behind your TV doesn't require touching a single mains wire. Here are the two main approaches we use:
Surface Trunking
Cables are neatly routed inside a slim, paintable plastic channel that runs along the wall from the TV down to your sockets and devices. It sits flush against the wall and — once painted to match — is barely noticeable.
- Quickest and most affordable option
- No holes needed beyond the bracket itself
- Fully reversible — ideal for rented properties
- Clean, tidy result from every angle
In-Wall Cable Concealment
Cables are fed through the wall cavity itself, with only a small exit plate visible near your sockets. The result is completely invisible cables — as if the TV is simply floating on the wall with no wires at all.
- The cleanest possible finish
- Cables fully hidden inside the wall
- No trunking visible at all
- No electrician needed — uses low-voltage pass-through kits
💡 In-wall cable concealment is the most popular choice for our customers across Birmingham and the West Midlands who want that premium, showroom look. Cables disappear completely into the wall — and the only thing people see is your TV, perfectly mounted. Ask us about it when you get a quote.
The Benefits of Using a TV Mounting Specialist Instead of an Electrician
1. It's More Affordable
A qualified electrician typically charges £50–£80 per hour in the West Midlands — and they'll charge that rate regardless of whether they're doing mains electrical work or just routing an HDMI cable. A TV mounting specialist charges a fixed price for the whole job, almost always at a lower overall cost for the work you actually need.
2. The Finish Will Be Better
TV mounting is what we do every single day. We bring laser levels, the right bracket fixings for every wall type, and years of experience getting the exact look customers want. An electrician's skillset is in wiring — ours is in getting your TV looking incredible on the wall.
3. You Can Get Everything Done in One Visit
We mount the TV, fit the bracket, hide the cables (using trunking or in-wall concealment), connect your devices, and walk you through the finished result — all in one visit, usually under 90 minutes. No need to coordinate two different tradespeople.
4. No Mess Left Behind
We pride ourselves on leaving your home exactly as we found it — just with a TV on the wall instead of on a stand. Any small amounts of dust from drilling are cleaned up before we leave. No mess, no fuss.
🏠 Renting Your Property?
If you're renting in Birmingham or the West Midlands, surface trunking is the ideal option — it avoids any in-wall work and is fully reversible when you leave. We can also advise on the most landlord-friendly approach for your specific setup when you get in touch.
When Might You Actually Need an Electrician?
There's really only one scenario where you'd genuinely benefit from involving an electrician: if you want a recessed mains socket fitted directly behind the TV, hidden inside the wall. This looks great and means your TV power cable is fully concealed. However, it involves working on your mains ring circuit, which legally requires a qualified electrician in the UK.
That said — it's completely optional. The vast majority of our customers across Birmingham and the West Midlands achieve a beautifully clean result using in-wall low-voltage cable concealment, without touching the mains socket position at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
📞 Get a clean, wire-free TV installation — no electrician required. We cover all of Birmingham and the West Midlands. WhatsApp us for a free quote →