Cost guide
How much do media walls cost?
A fitted media wall costs £1,500 to £4,000. A plain plastered wall with a recessed TV starts around £1,500; adding an inset electric fire, lighting and panelling takes it to £4,000 and beyond.
Typical prices
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Stud frame with recessed TV, plastered ready | £800 to £1,500 |
| Plastering and decorating | £300 to £700 |
| Electric fire, supplied and installed | £400 to £1,500 |
| Integrated lighting and shelving | £200 to £600 |
| Slatted or panelled finish instead of plaster | £400 to £1,200 |
Confirm whether the quote includes plastering and the electrical work. Carpentry-only quotes look much cheaper and leave two trades to book.
What moves the price
- Width and depth of the frame.
- The fire. A slim wall-mounted unit is cheap; an inset three-sided fire is the single biggest line after the frame.
- Finish. Plaster and paint, versus slatted timber or panelling.
- Electrical work: sockets in the void, lighting, and the fire supply.
- Whether plastering is included or a separate trade.
What the job involves
The carpentry is a timber or metal stud frame built off the existing wall, deep enough to swallow the TV, the fire and the cable runs. That depth is the design decision: 150mm is enough for a slim fire and a flat mount, 250mm or more if the fire is inset or the TV needs a swing bracket. Noggins go in wherever something will be screwed to the wall later, because a TV bracket into plasterboard alone is a repair waiting to happen.
Questions about media walls
How deep does a media wall need to be?
Usually 150mm to 250mm. A slim electric fire and a flat TV mount fit in 150mm; an inset fire, a tilting bracket or a soundbar recess push it deeper.
Can I put a TV above an electric fire?
Yes, if the manufacturer's clearance is respected. Most electric fires vent forward and upward and state a minimum distance to anything mounted above.
Does a media wall need building regulations?
A non-structural stud wall built against an existing wall does not. The electrical work inside it is notifiable in some circumstances, which is a question for the electrician.