So you‘ve just bought a shiny new television from Costco, and now it‘s time to get it mounted and set up. While it might be tempting to save a few bucks and tackle the installation yourself, there are some compelling reasons to consider Costco‘s professional TV mounting services instead. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Costco‘s TV Installation Services
Let‘s start with the basics: yes, Costco does offer full-service TV mounting and installation through a partnership with Handy. When you purchase a TV at Costco, you have the option to add on a "Handy Premier TV Mounting Service" starting at $99.99, which includes:
- Mounting your TV (up to 100") on the wall of your choice
- Connecting it to power and up to 3 devices (cable box, gaming console, etc.)
- Installing a sound bar and 2 speakers at no extra charge
- Concealing all wiring for a clean, professional look
Costco offers several tiers of installation to suit different needs and budgets:
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Basic TV Mounting | $99.99 | Includes mounting, connecting devices, and setting up sound bar |
| Mounting with On-Wall Wire Concealment | $119.99 | Adds channeling to hide wires on the outside of the wall |
| Mounting with In-Wall Wire Concealment | $149.99 | Runs wires inside the wall for the cleanest look (not for brick) |
These prices are extremely competitive compared to other professional installation options. Best Buy‘s similar TV mounting service starts at $149.99 for a basic installation, with more complex jobs costing up to $499.99.
Costco‘s installers are fully vetted professionals from Handy who can handle most standard mounting scenarios. However, for extremely heavy TVs (over 100 lbs), brick or masonry walls, or mounting above a fireplace, you may need to seek out a more specialized installer who can properly assess your space and use the appropriate heavy-duty hardware.
Benefits of Professional TV Mounting
So is it really worth paying for a professional TV installation instead of just doing it yourself? Here are a few key factors to consider:
Protecting Your Investment
Flat-screen TVs are getting increasingly thin and fragile. Mounting them securely is crucial to avoid costly accidents. According to a recent survey by Insurance Quotes, Americans report around 176,000 damaged TVs every year due to improper mounting or unstable furniture. With the average cost of a new flat-screen hovering around $500, it‘s wise to protect your investment.
Costco‘s professional installers will ensure your TV is safely and securely attached to the wall using the proper mounting hardware for your TV size and wall type. They‘ll also take care to properly handle your new TV and avoid common DIY pitfalls like overtightening bolts or damaging the screen.
Choosing the Optimal Viewing Position
To get the most enjoyment out of your new 4K TV, it needs to be positioned for comfortable viewing based on your room size and seating arrangement. The general rule of thumb is to mount the TV about eye level when seated, with around 1.5x the screen size distance between the viewer and the TV (so a 50" TV would be best viewed from 75" away).
An experienced installer will be able to help you find the perfect position based on your unique space and also ensure the mount is level and centered. This will provide a better viewing experience and also keep the TV from looking crooked on the wall.
Dealing with Wires and Components
With the increasing complexity of home theater setups, figuring out how to neatly conceal all those unsightly wires can be a huge headache. Costco‘s TV mounting service will ensure there are no dangling or exposed wires cluttering up your wall, whether you opt for the on-wall channel or the fully concealed in-wall wiring.
The installer will also make sure all your components are hooked up properly and that your new TV integrates seamlessly with your existing devices, so you can get straight to streaming without having to decipher a tangle of HDMI cables.
Saving Time and Hassle
Mounting a TV may seem simple in theory, but it can quickly turn into a frustrating multi-hour ordeal, especially if you run into unexpected issues like crumbling drywall or a stud that‘s not where it‘s supposed to be.
By hiring a professional, you can have your TV and home theater fully set up in a matter of hours without having to take time out of your busy schedule. Costco‘s installers work 7 days a week with flexible appointment windows, so you can easily fit it in around work and family obligations.
Why Buy Your TV from Costco?
Now that we‘ve established the benefits of getting your TV professionally installed, let‘s talk about why Costco is an excellent place to buy it from in the first place:
Unbeatable Prices
Costco is known for offering some of the lowest prices on electronics and TVs are no exception. In a recent comparison by Consumer Reports, Costco beat out Amazon, Walmart, and Target for the best TV prices, offering an average of 16% savings compared to other major retailers.
Part of this is due to Costco‘s ability to sell in bulk and negotiate steep discounts from manufacturers. They also have a lower markup than many competitors, so more of those savings get passed on to shoppers.
Extended Warranty
Perhaps the biggest perk of TV shopping at Costco is their generous warranty policy. Whereas most retailers only offer the standard 1-year manufacturer‘s warranty, Costco automatically extends this to 2 full years for TVs and electronics. If you use your Costco Anywhere Visa to purchase the TV, they‘ll extend it even further to a full 4 years.
Having this extended warranty can offer some serious peace of mind, especially if you‘re investing in a higher-end TV. Costco also has a reputation for a no-hassle returns and exchanges, so if you do run into any issues, you know they‘ll be resolved quickly.
Special Promotions and Perks
Finally, Costco often runs special bundle deals and promotions thanks to partnerships with streaming services and TV providers like DirecTV. Don‘t be surprised to see your new TV paired with a few months of free HBO Max or a discounted rate on your cable package.
If you‘re already in the market for some new entertainment subscriptions to go with your fancy 4K TV, the savings from these bundles can really add up and make Costco an even better value.
Conclusion
As we‘ve laid out in this guide, getting your new TV professionally installed by Costco offers a ton of compelling benefits in terms of convenience, safety, viewing experience, and post-purchase support. For prices starting under $100, Costco‘s Handy installers will get your TV and home theater components mounted securely and configured properly so you can enjoy them to the fullest.
When you factor in the exceptional value that Costco provides on the TVs themselves, including their industry-leading warranty and special member promotions, it‘s clear that Costco+Handy is a winning combination for shoppers who want a premium home theater experience without the premium price tag.
While DIY is always an option for those who are comfortable tackling it, for most people, the relatively low cost of professional installation is well worth the added peace of mind and saved time and hassle. With Costco‘s TV mounting service, you can feel confident that you‘re not only getting an amazing deal on a high-quality TV, but also that it will be installed to the highest standards – all backed by Costco‘s unparalleled customer service and support.
So if you‘re in the market for a new TV, consider buying from Costco and opting for their Handy installation service for a seamless start-to-finish experience. Your new TV will be mounted and ready to enjoy in no time, and you‘ll have the added assurance of knowing it‘s done right and protected for the long haul.
