Pre-wiring a wall for a TV during construction

The best time to prepare a wall for a TV is when it has no drywall on it. Everything that is difficult afterwards — solid backing, hidden power, a path for cables — takes minutes at the framing stage. If you're building or renovating in the Auburn area, hand this list to your builder or electrician.

1. Blocking

Ask for solid wood backing between the studs where the TV will hang: 2×8 or 2×10 boards, or a panel of ¾″ plywood let in flush with the stud faces, spanning at least two stud bays.

• Height: a band from about 36 to 66 inches off the floor covers most living-room TVs; over a fireplace, start a few inches above the mantel.
• Result: a bracket can be lag-bolted anywhere in that zone, perfectly centred, whatever the stud layout.

2. Power where the TV will be

A recessed duplex outlet inside the TV's outline, offset from centre so the bracket doesn't cover it. Placement details are in where to put the outlet behind a TV. If lightning protection matters to you, ask about a surge-protecting receptacle or a whole-home protector.

3. Conduit

This is the one most worth insisting on. A flexible conduit, 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, from a low-voltage box behind the TV to a box where the equipment will live — behind the console, in a cabinet or in a closet.

• Cables change every few years; conduit means pulling new ones in minutes.
• Use sweeping bends, not tight elbows, and leave a pull string inside.
• HDMI plugs are wide: small conduit won't pass them.

4. Network and coax

Run two Cat6 cables and, if you use antenna or cable TV, one RG6 coax to the TV location, home-run to wherever the router or panel will be. Wired streaming never buffers; see Wi-Fi after wall-mounting.

5. Speaker and soundbar provisions

• An outlet or cable path for a soundbar below the TV.
• If you want surround sound, speaker cable (in-wall rated) to rear and ceiling positions, and a conduit or cable for a subwoofer.

6. Over a fireplace

• Blocking and outlet above the mantel as described.
• Conduit running to the side cabinet or niche, not down past the firebox.
• Keep everything clear of the flue and its required clearances — your builder and fireplace installer will know the figures for your unit.
• Consider how high the mantel will be; every inch lower makes for better viewing. See mounting above a fireplace.

7. A recessed niche — think twice

Niches sized for today's TV won't fit tomorrow's. A flat wall with good blocking is more future-proof. If you want a recess, make it generous; see niche mounting.

8. Document it

Before the drywall goes on, photograph each wall with a tape measure in the picture. It shows exactly where blocking, studs, cables and pipes are, and it's the most useful thing you can hand an installer years later.

Other rooms

Do the same, scaled down, anywhere a TV might go: primary bedroom, covered porch (with an exterior-rated outlet), kitchen, bonus room, garage.

Then the easy part

With blocking, power and conduit in place, mounting is a fast, standard job: labor from $94, and no in-wall work needed.