What Does It Really Cost to Mount a TV in Pensacola? (2025 Survey)
“We compared quotes from five local installers. Here’s the price range, what’s included, and where surprise fees pop up.
“We compared quotes from five local installers. Here’s the price range, what’s included, and where surprise fees pop up.”
How we gathered the data
In July 2025, we requested quotes for a 65-in. fixed mount from five licensed installers covering zip codes 32501–32508 area. Each quote included labor and standard hardware; wire concealment, tilt arms, or sound-bar brackets counted as add-ons.
Price snapshot
| Service | Low | High | Typical |
| Basic fixed mount | $140 | $320 | $250 |
| Tilt mount (labor + bracket) | $185 | $349 | $200 |
| Full-motion arm install | $225 | $400 | $350 |
| In-wall cable conceal | +$50 | +$125 | +$60|
| Sound-bar bracket add-on | $35 | $95 | $50 |
Hidden fees to watch for
“Travel surcharge” – Up to $55 if you’re more than 20 miles from the shop.
Old-TV haul-away – $20–$40. Ask upfront if recycling is included.
Same-day booking premium – Can add 15 % to labor during football playoffs or Black Friday week.
Where RTA Productions LLC fits
We run a flat $125 for mounts up to 65 in., $175 for 66–85 in., with no travel fee inside Escambia & Santa Rosa counties. Wire conceal starts at $60, includes paint-ready patch plates, and we recycle your old bracket for free.
Want your exact price? Text “QUOTE” to 850-607-1159 and we can get started on an estimate in minutes—no surprises later.
Takeaways
Budget basic: Expect ~$130 for a standard mount in town.
Full-motion premium: Adds about $100 for the arm and extra labor.
Ask about add-ons: Concealment, sound bars, and same-day service change the total fast.
Armed with real numbers, you can compare apples to apples—and keep more cash for that surround-sound upgrade.
Pensacola Drywall vs Concrete: What Your Wall Studs Mean for an 85″ TV
Your dream 85-inch OLED is awesome—unless the wall lets it meet the floor. Here’s how to keep gravity from turning your living room into a crime scene.
Will Your Pensacola Wall Hold That 85-Inch TV? Here’s How to Tell
Hey there—Jhonny from RTA Productions LLC. Before I bolt an 85-inch screen to someone’s wall, the very first question I hear is, “Can this wall even handle it?” Pensacola homes are a mash-up of new drywall builds, mid-century plaster bungalows, and concrete-block beach houses, so the answer is always, “It depends on what’s hiding behind your paint.”
Below is the same nuts-and-bolts information I use on site every day, but in plain language, you can skim with your morning coffee.
1. Drywall with Wooden Studs
Most newer houses (and a lot of renovations) fall into this category.
What’s back there? Pine studs every 16 inches, covered by ½-inch drywall.
Fasteners that work: 5/16-inch lag bolts, 3–3½ inches long. Two bolts into two separate studs will hold well over 200 pounds.
What to watch for:
Tap the wall—hollow thud between studs, solid “thunk” on the stud itself.
A cheap, rare-earth magnet will find the drywall screws and save you from guessing.
2. Concrete-Block (CMU) Walls
Common near the beach or in hurricane-rated buildings.
What’s back there? Hollow blocks or blocks partially filled with grout.
Fasteners that work: ¼-inch Tapcon screws, at least 2¾ inches long, driven with a hammer drill.
Pro tips:
Blow masonry dust out of the pilot hole; leftover dust can cut holding power by 30 percent.
Slip a thin neoprene washer behind the bracket to dampen vibration from that killer surround-sound system you’re planning.
3. Plaster-and-Lathe
If your home went up before about 1960—especially downtown—you probably have this.
What’s back there? ¾-inch plaster over thin wood strips (lathe), then real-dimension 2×4 studs (spacing isn’t always perfect).
Fasteners that work: 3⁄8-inch lag bolts with wide washers to spread the load, or heavy-duty toggle anchors where studs aren’t reachable.
Install pointers:
Drill slowly; plaster chips if you rush.
Tighten the bolt, then back it off a quarter-turn so the plaster isn’t crushed.
Why Screen Size Matters More Than You Think
TV SizeTypical Weight“Feels Like” Load with a Full-Motion Arm*65 in.55–70 lb~115 lb85 in.90–100 lb~180 lb
*A full-motion arm acts like a lever, multiplying the side-pull on the bolts. That’s why hitting solid structure—not just drywall—is non-negotiable.
The 3-Minute Wall Test
Magnet sweep – Drag a small magnet across the wall; it’ll snag on screws or nails in studs or lathe strips.
Pilot poke – Drill a ⅛-inch test hole near the baseboard:
Fine white powder = drywall
Sandy gray dust = concrete block
Wood shavings followed by white chips = plaster & lathe
Measure over – If the next stud (or magnet catch) is 16 inches away, you’re looking at standard framing. Great news for your mounting bracket.
Bottom Line
Any of these wall types can safely hold an 85-inch television if you use the right hardware and hit the right material. If you have doubts—or just don’t have a hammer drill handy—schedule our complimentary on-site scan. We’ll map out the wall, give you a written quote, and you can decide from there. Easy.
Happy watching,
Jhonny
Owner, RTA Productions LLC
Hide the Wires: Three Cable-Conceal Kits Under $40 We Actually Use
Messy cords ruin a clean wall-mount. Here are three budget kits that hide HDMI and power in under an hour.
“Messy cords ruin a clean wall-mount. Here are three budget kits that hide HDMI and power in under an hour.”
Why this matters
A great mount still looks unfinished if a snake’s nest of cables dangles below it. The good news: you can get pro-looking results without spending more than lunch money. We’ve tested dozens of kits; these three consistently earn a spot in our van.
1. Datacomm In-Wall Cable Organizer (≈ $28)
What’s in the box? Two low-profile wall plates, a hole saw, and a fish tape.
Install time: 25 – 35 min for first-timers.
Pros: Power and low-voltage in one recessed plate; includes the right-size hole saw.
Cons: Requires access to an outlet behind the TV; not ideal for concrete walls.
Installer tip: Use painter’s tape to mark the stud edges before you cut. Saves patch work later.
2. Legrand Wiremold CordMate II Kit (≈ $22)
What’s in the box? Snap-on raceway with adhesive backing, elbows, and end caps.
Install time: 15 min—no drywall cutting.
Pros: Fastest way to tame cords in rentals where you can’t open the wall. Paintable to match the trim.
Cons: Sits on top of the wall, so not completely invisible.
3. Echogear DIY In-Wall Kit (≈ $39)
What’s in the box? Two recessed plates with pass-through grommets, 6-ft in-wall power cable, hole saw.
Install time: 30 – 40 min.
Pros: Built-in power relocation means you can draw power from a lower outlet without an electrician.
Cons: Slightly pricier, and the included fish tape could be sturdier.
How to choose
NeedBest pickWhyQuick, zero-drywallLegrand CordMate IIAdhesive raceway—done in 15 min. Full in-wall, stud-to-stud distanceDatacommLarger pass-through fits multiple HDMI cablesIn-wall + outlet relocationEchogearUL-listed power bridge included
Ready to level up?
If you’d rather skip the hole-saw dust, ask for our No-Wires Package when you book a mount—we bring whichever kit fits your wall type and finish the job in one visit.
Case Study: 55-Inch Swivel Mount in a Downtown Condo (45 Minutes, Start to Finish)
Small condo, metal studs, and a tight schedule—here’s how we pulled off a clean swivel mount in under an hour.
Small condo, metal studs, and a tight schedule—here’s how we pulled off a clean swivel mount in under an hour.”
The setup
Marina lives in a 620-sq-ft condo on Palafox. Her living-room wall has 25-gauge metal studs and exactly 12 ft of viewing distance. She wanted a swivel arm so she could watch from the kitchen island.
Our game plan
Locate studs – Rare-earth magnet plus a quick test drill confirmed 24-in. metal studs.
Bracket choice – Sanus full-motion arm rated 60–80 lb, 19-in. mounting plate that covers two studs.
Anchoring – 1/4-in. SnapToggles (metal-stud version) rated 265 lb shear each; four total.
Cable run – Echogear in-wall kit to hide power and HDMI; raceway painted to match trim.
Level & torque – Laser line, then torque each toggle to 50 in-lb—enough bite without deforming the stud.
Total wall time: 45 minutes. Cleanup included.
Results
Viewing angle: 60° swivel reaches the kitchen without glare.
Profile depth: 2.1 in. from wall when collapsed.
Client feedback: “I thought I’d lose counter space, but it folds flat—zero clutter.”
Thinking about a swivel arm in a tight space? We can usually mount into metal studs with the right anchors; fill out the request form and we can map it out for you.
Beat the Glare: Living-Room Hacks for Football Season
Autumn sunlight plus glossy screens equals squinting during kickoff. Try these quick fixes before the first game.
“Autumn sunlight plus glossy screens equals squinting during kickoff. Try these quick fixes before the first game.”
1. Know your sun path
Between September and November, Pensacola’s afternoon sun drops lower in the sky, perfect angle to bounce off a living-room window. Use a phone compass: if windows sit within 45° of due west, you’re in the glare zone from 3 p.m. on.
2. Tilt-mount magic
A 10–12° downward tilt cuts most reflections without wrecking neck comfort. Already mounted? Many fixed brackets accept a tilt adapter, saving re-installation time.
3. Matte-screen film
Peel-and-stick anti-glare film (about $30 for 65 in.) diffuses harsh light. Expect a slight drop in contrast, but playoff games remain watchable even with blinds cracked.
4. Curtain call
Two layers work best: translucent roller shade for daytime, blackout drape for early kickoffs. Mount rods 6 in. above and wider than the window frame to block side bleed.
5. LED bias lighting
Install an LED strip behind the TV (5000 K “daylight” setting). It lifts perceived contrast, making remaining reflections less noticeable and reducing eye strain during overtime.
Quick checklist
FixCostTimeTilt adapter$20–3010 minAnti-glare film$3020 minBias LED strip$155 minDual-layer curtains$60+30 min
Early-Bird Special: Schedule a mount or tilt-adapter upgrade before September 10 and save 10 %. We’ll dial in the angle and run a glare test while we’re there.