1 must-ask question before wall-mount TV repair

When it comes to removing a wall-mounted TV, some service providers will include the cost of getting the TV wall mount down—and up again after it is fixed—into the total repair cost. A few do it free as a courtesy (if not complicated). But many do ask that the TV is off the wall before the repairman arrives to diagnose it.
 

The risks of taking down a wall-mount TV

As you probably remember if you had a hand in getting your wall-mount TV in place, maneuvering a flat screen can be tricky work. Even with the lightest sets, the potential abounds for accidentally cracking a screen or breaking a part. It’s also easy to throw out a muscle—or to break a toe if the TV slips. Many service providers are understandably reluctant to take on these risks. 

Also, manufacturers do not pay for and aren’t liable for removal of TVs from walls, even if the TV is still under warranty.
 

What to do if you have a wall-mounted TV

The best advice is to simply ask your repairman what his policy is regarding your TV wall mount before you schedule the service. And be sure to let him know where the TV is mounted. It can matter. Some service providers will refuse to take down and remount TVs over fireplaces, for example, or if higher on the wall than shoulder-level.

Also, be candid about how you got your TV on the wall in the first place. If Uncle Bob did the job rather than a professional, your service provider may determine the mounting is unsafe and refrain from choosing to remove or reinstall the set.

If your service provider does say he can handle removal and/or reinstallation of your wall-mount TV, he will likely expect your help. It’s a 2-person job. If this is a task you aren’t physically capable of or are reluctant to attempt, let him know. If you do help, clear the area of any obstructions (now is not the time to stumble over your son’s train set) and make sure you are both on the same page before attempting to move the TV, with a clear understanding of the direction you are moving in.

In the final analysis, keep in mind that it may be more cost-effective and safer in the long run to pay a professional installation company to remove and reinstall your wall-mount TV, although it will naturally require more time and planning. And your service provider may be able to provide a discount for allowing him to completely skip this part of the process. It can’t hurt to ask.