Living Room: what a handyman does
Living room jobs center on what is mounted, hung or plugged in: TV mounts, shelves, bookcases, curtain rods and cords. A handyman can mount and anchor most of it into studs and route cords outside the wall. Running power inside walls, new outlets and fireplace or chimney work go to licensed trades.
Jobs we take on
Tap one to add it to your list.
- Mount a TV on studs and install soundbar or speaker brackets
- Route cords outside the wall with paintable covers
- Hang floating shelves and picture ledges
- Anchor tall bookcases and media consoles to the wall
- Install curtain rods and brackets
- Assemble media consoles, coffee tables and shelving units
- Re-secure loose baseboard, crown and window trim
- Patch and paint the wall after a TV or shelf is removed
- Replace a ceiling light fixture on existing wiring
Signs it is time to call
- A TV on a stand that wobbles or sits near the edge
- A bookcase that leans or is not fastened to the wall
- Cords draped across a wall or stapled in place
- A shelf that sags or pulls away from the wall
- A curtain rod that droops or has pulled out of the drywall
What is not a handyman job
Power cable run inside the wall, new outlets or circuits, and recessed lighting are electrical work for licensed independent contractors. Fireplace, gas log and chimney work goes to a specialist. Built-in cabinetry, removing a wall and any structural change are carpentry or remodel projects and out of scope.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- We confirm the scope from your photos before the visit
- We confirm the current rate before work starts
- We protect floors and furniture while we work
- We clean up the dust and debris when we finish
Common questions
Should I anchor my TV if it sits on a stand?
The CPSC advises anchoring TVs and furniture to the wall. If anchoring is not possible, it says to use a sturdy, low base, push the TV back as far as it goes and keep cords out of children's reach. Wall mounting into studs also removes the tip-over risk.
Can I staple cords along the wall to hide them?
No. A professional organizer quoted by HGTV says never to use staples or nails to secure cords on a wall. Wall-mounted cord covers that can be painted to match the wall are a safer way to hide them, as long as the cords stay outside the wall.
Can you hide the TV cords inside the wall?
Moving cords behind the wall is the part that depends on the cable. Low-voltage cords can sometimes be fished, but power cords and new outlets are electrical work that go to a licensed electrician. We will tell you which side of that line your setup falls on.
How heavy a load can a floating shelf hold?
It depends on the shelf bracket, the wall and what the fasteners reach. Studs hold the most, and heavy loads on drywall need metal anchors rated for the weight. We check the wall first and tell you plainly if a shelf is not a good fit for books or large decor.