Ask any AV installer twelve questions before you hire: what is in the price, whether it is fixed, what is excluded, who does the electrical and in-wall work, what the warranty covers in writing, how and when you pay, and whether they carry liability insurance. Then put every quote on the same scope. A ‘cheaper’ headline can cost more once the mount, wires and removal are added back. Pixl’s posted lines for a 75 in. TV, 5 speakers, a subwoofer, wire hiding and an old TV taken down add up to $509.99.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Calculated October 27, 2026. Canadian dollars, before tax. 6 min read.
- Twelve questions with warning signs
- How to compare quotes on the same scope
- Who does which trade
- Pay after the job
- A good quote lists lines. One ‘all-in’ number with no lines cannot be compared.
- In the worked example a $399 headline becomes $664 once the missing lines are added, above an itemised $520 quote.
- Ask who does electrical work and in-wall cabling. Name the trade, not ‘we can do it all’.
- Pay after the work is tested where you can. Ask for the warranty in writing and for proof of liability insurance.
You are collecting two or three quotes for a TV, soundbar, speaker or projector install and want to compare them fairly.
You only want a TV mounted at the lowest price. Read TV installer, handyman or store install.
What should you ask before you hire an AV installer?
AV jobs go wrong in the gaps between what the customer expected and what the quote said. Most of the gaps are a missing line: a mount, wire hiding, a device, removal of the old TV, an outlet nobody priced. These twelve questions close them. Ask every installer the same ones and write down the answers.
| Question | A good answer | A warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| What exactly is in the price? | A list of lines: labour, mount, cables, wire hiding, devices, removal | One number with no lines |
| Is the price fixed, or an estimate? | Fixed from photos and models, confirmed in writing before booking | ‘It depends, we will see on the day’ |
| Who supplies the mount, cables and parts? | Named, with a price, or ‘you bring them’ | ‘Whatever is needed’ with no price |
| What is not included? | Electrical work, in-wall cable, equipment and permits named | Silence on what is excluded |
| Who does electrical work and in-wall cabling? | A named trade, or ‘we do not, here is how to arrange it’ | Vague ‘we can do it all’ |
| Are there surcharges for my walls? | A posted list by wall type | Surprise charges once drilling starts |
| How and when do I pay? | Clear terms, with payment after the work where possible | Large payment up front by e-transfer |
| What does the warranty cover, in writing? | A written statement of what is covered and for how long | A verbal promise only |
| Can I see proof of liability insurance? | Yes, on request | Refusal, or ‘we are careful’ |
| How long will the visit take? | A range for my setup | No estimate |
| What happens if something is damaged or drilled wrong? | A plain answer on who repairs it | ‘That does not happen’ |
| Do you sell equipment? | Either way is fine, but the quote is clear on markups | Installation price depends on buying from them |
How does Pixl answer?
| Question | Pixl answer |
|---|---|
| What is in the price? | Posted lines: TV labour by size, mount, soundbar, speakers, wire hiding, devices, shelf and old TV removal |
| Fixed or estimate? | Fixed quote from photos and models before booking |
| Surcharges by wall? | Plaster +$10, metal studs +$15, concrete, tile or stone +$50, brick +$80 |
| Do you sell equipment? | No. We install what you bought anywhere |
| When do I pay? | After the job, by card, e-transfer or cash |
| Warranty? | TV mounting warranty is on its own page. For other work, ask us what is covered before you book |
| Electrical work and in-wall cable? | Not in the posted prices. Send a photo and we tell you which part Pixl does |
How do you compare quotes that look different?
A headline price tells you little. Put every quote on the same scope, then compare. For each missing line, ask the installer for its price and add it back. The numbers below are made up to show the method.
| Quote | Headline price | Missing lines added back at the installer’s own rates | Comparable total |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. ‘All-in’ headline | $399 | Full-motion mount $140; Wires in a raceway $75; Old TV taken down $50 | $664 |
| B. Itemised, everything listed | $520 | None. Mount, wires, speakers and removal are listed | $520 |
| C. Price before tax and sub | $455 | Subwoofer placement $30; Tax not included (5% GST shown as an example) $23 | $508 |
Quote A looks $121 cheaper than B but ends up $144 more once the mount, wires and removal are added. Quote C needs tax and the subwoofer added. As a reference, the Pixl posted lines for this same job (75 in. TV on a full-motion mount, 5 speakers and a subwoofer, wires in a raceway, old TV down) add to $509.99 before tax. See AV installation service for the line prices.
Who does what?
| Part of the job | Who usually does it |
|---|---|
| Mount the TV, connect a soundbar, speakers or devices | An AV or TV installer (Pixl does this) |
| New outlet or circuit | A licensed electrician |
| Speaker cable or network cable inside finished walls | A low-voltage or cabling contractor, or the renovation contractor before drywall |
| Cutting speakers into a ceiling | A contractor or specialist installer, quoted separately |
| Room design and acoustic treatment | A designer or acoustician, for dedicated theatres |
| Buying equipment | A retailer, or the installer if they sell it |
An installer who names the trades they do not cover is a better sign than one who says they do everything. Pixl’s posted prices do not include electrical work or cabling inside finished walls. Send a photo and we tell you which part we do.
What should you have ready to get a good quote?
| Send | Why |
|---|---|
| Photos of the wall and the equipment spot | Wall type, outlets and cable routes decide labour |
| TV size, soundbar or speaker models | Weight, VESA pattern and layout decide the mount and speaker lines |
| Building type and any rules | Condos and rentals can limit drilling and work hours |
| What you want hidden | Wire hiding is priced by method: channel, raceway or inside the wall |
| Your preferred days | Lets the installer give a real time slot |
For TV-only jobs, read TV installer, handyman or store install and Best Buy vs a local installer.
Hiring an AV installer: frequently asked questions
What should I ask an AV installer?
Ask what is in the price, whether it is fixed, what is excluded, who does electrical and in-wall work, what the warranty covers in writing, how and when you pay, and for proof of liability insurance.
How do I compare AV installation quotes?
Put each quote on the same scope. Ask for the price of any missing line, add it back, then compare totals. Headline prices without line items are not comparable.
Should I pay up front?
Where possible, pay after the work is done and tested. Pixl takes payment after the job by card, e-transfer or cash.
Do AV installers do electrical work?
Not always. A new outlet or circuit is work for a licensed electrician. Ask who will do it and whether it is in the quote. Pixl’s posted prices do not include electrical work.
Is it cheaper to buy from the installer?
Not necessarily. Ask for the installation price on its own, so you can compare it with a quote for gear you buy elsewhere. Pixl does not sell equipment.
What is a fair price for AV installation?
That depends on the job. Pixl’s posted prices are TV labour from $79.99 to $189.99 by size, soundbar $50 plus $50, speakers $30 each, and $25 per extra device.
Does a handyman count as an AV installer?
A handyman can mount a TV but may not cover speakers, devices or calibration. See the TV installer, handyman or store comparison.
Get a fixed quote from photos
Send photos and your equipment list. We confirm what Pixl does and what it costs before we book, and you pay after the job.
TV installer, handyman or store install
Best Buy vs a local installer
TV mounting warranty
Home theatre installation cost
Sources and method. The three quotes are made-up numbers to show how to normalise quotes, not real quotes from any company. Comparable total = headline price + missing lines at the installer’s own rates: A = 399 + 140 + 75 + 50 = 664; C = 455 + 30 + 23 = 508. The Pixl reference total is the sum of posted lines, checked October 27, 2026: 109.99 + 125 + 150 + 20 + 60 + 45 = 509.99. The questions are general buying guidance. Pixl’s own answers are limited to what its pages publish.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.