Mirrors and Artwork Hanging: what a handyman does
A handyman can hang mirrors, framed art and gallery walls so they are level and fastened into studs or the right anchor for the weight. Wall type matters: plaster, drywall and masonry each need different hardware. Custom glass, resilvering, and wiring for lighted mirrors go to a glazier or a licensed electrician.
Jobs we take on
Tap one to add it to your list.
- Weigh the mirror or frame so the hardware is chosen for the real load
- Hang a heavy mirror into studs or with toggle or molly anchors
- Use two fasteners on heavy mirrors for extra security and room to adjust
- Hang art on plaster with picture hooks and tape or toggle bolts, without cracking the surface
- Lay out and hang a gallery wall at a consistent height
- Install a picture rail or gallery system into studs near the ceiling
- Hang pieces on brick or concrete with masonry screws
- Secure a tall leaning floor mirror to the wall so it cannot tip
- Fill old nail holes when art is moved
Signs it is time to call
- A frame hangs crooked or its nail is slowly pulling out of the wall
- Plaster is cracking or crumbling around a nail
- A heavy mirror is leaning on the floor because nobody trusts the wall
- A picture wire or hanger is bending or cutting into the frame
- Anchors spin in the wall, or a plastic anchor has pulled out with a chunk of drywall
What is not a handyman job
Custom glass, mirror cutting and resilvering belong to a glazier. Large mirrors glued to a wall or built into a shower enclosure are also glazier work. Lighted mirrors that need wiring go to a licensed electrician. Extremely heavy pieces such as large stone or cast sculptures may need a professional installer, and valuable art is best moved by an art handler.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- We weigh the piece, check the hanging hardware, and work out the wall type before choosing a fastener.
- Placement is marked and checked with a level, and we confirm it with you before drilling.
- Large mirrors often need two people to lift safely, so tell us the size and weight when you book.
- Holes from old hangers are patched, and the wall is left tidy.
Common questions
What holds a heavy mirror on drywall?
A screw into a stud is best. Without one, toggle bolts suit the heaviest mirrors, and molly bolts handle medium weights. Ratings vary by brand and drywall thickness, so we choose hardware rated above the weight. Using two fasteners, even if one could carry the load, adds security and lets the mirror be adjusted level.
Can I hang pictures on plaster without cracking it?
Yes. Plaster is held to the lath by keys that a hammered nail can break. For frames under about 30 pounds, a picture hook with a shock-absorbing nail tapped in gently, with painter's tape over the spot, works well. Heavier pieces go on toggle bolts or a gallery rail screwed into studs.
How do you know how much a piece weighs?
With a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the piece, and subtract. That real number lets us pick hardware with enough capacity, and divide the load across more than one fastener. Package ratings on anchors differ by product, so we read the numbers on the packaging rather than guess.
How high should art be hung?
A common guide is to hang the center of a picture about 57 to 62 inches from the floor, roughly eye level. Over a sofa or a table, art usually sits lower so it relates to the furniture. We mark it with a level and step back with you before drilling so the placement is yours to decide.