How Much Does It Cost to Repair Home Theater Wiring or Components?

Home Theater System Component Prices

Home theater wiring varies greatly depending on the size of the area you’re outfitting and the type of equipment you select. Which items you purchase for the theater in the first place can affect your repair costs later.

No matter which components you include, Salvatore Cutrono, owner of Cutrona Electric LLC in Sherman, CT,  reminds homeowners that “a home theater is an investment, but certainly worth the years of enjoyment.” So, choosing the right components and choosing professional assistance is always the best decision. 

Here are some price ranges to consider for wiring and components of your theater:

• Power cable: $35–$99

• HDMI cable: $5–$35

• Surge protection: $25+

• New speakers: $100–$1,000

• Universal remote: $20–$200

• Projection lamp: $75–$200

• Wall jacks: $16–$150

• Soundbar: $200–$2,000

• Surround sound: $150+

• Television: $50–$1,000+

Mixing and matching one-off purchases (such as choosing different TVs or speakers) may cost more than a home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) solution, but does offer greater customization. Generally speaking, the more you customize, the more comprehensive (and therefore expensive) home theater repairs could be later on.

Home Theater System Installation Cost

The cost to install new home theater wiring and components is $494 on average. Larger theaters and packages that come with additional components may increase initial installation costs, especially if you’re designing a theater with cord concealment. (This could require drilling into the wall or setting up objects on the perimeter to hide cords.)

Depending on the type of home theater you choose, a local home theater installation pro typically charges $20 and $90 per hour. Paying a flat rate of $100 to $500 for a Wi-Fi setup or pre-packaged devices might also be possible, depending on the theater you’re installing.

Home Theater System Repair Cost by Type

Here are the different types of home theaters you may consider, as well as some of the repair costs you could incur if you select that option.

Wired Home Theater

Component systems include an audio and video (AV) receiver, speakers, and modules such as Blu-ray players.

Repairing wired home theaters usually means replacing cables or having speakers or modules repaired. This could cost anywhere from $5 for a simple replacement cable to several hundred dollars for fixing a device.

Wireless Home Theater

Newer systems replace cords with full Wi-Fi functionality. These systems are pretty straightforward to set up, as the process mostly involves laying out each device and then connecting it to the internet. You can then control the system using a universal remote or smartphone application.

Common repairs include connectivity issues and electrical components not working, which will likely cost $50 to $100 (at least) to have a pro fix. A local handyperson with a home theater setup or repair experience may be able to do it for less.

Home Theater-In-A-Box (HTIB)

HTIBs make the shopping process for a home theater easy, as all the products you need for setup come in one package.

These products may offer a monthly protection plan ($20+ per month) or a two-to-three-year warranty. Keep these in mind when shopping, as it could help you avoid potentially costly repairs down the road.

Soundbars

Soundbars are advantageous for home theaters without a lot of space to set up speakers and other equipment. They cost between $200 and $2,000 new and aren’t too difficult to set up.

Connectivity and placement issues are the most common problems homeowners face with soundbars (and pretty much all wireless audio devices). Read your manual close to potentially save money.

DIY vs. Hire a Home Theater Repair Pro

Any time you’re dealing with media center electrical components—such as when your home theater won’t turn on—it’s best to consult a professional for safety reasons. Electrical issues cost between $100 and $350 on average to fix.

Attempting to repair them yourself could be dangerous, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it might result in you needing a new system. Consulting a licensed electrician near you for intensive jobs, such as installing new outlets or circuits, is always recommended.

If your home theater wiring job involves wire concealment, installing new wall jacks, or other layout-specific tasks, savvy DIYers may choose to tackle this part of the project and have a professional do the electrical setup to save money.

FAQs

Is a wireless home theater system the best?

Setting up a wireless system is certainly simpler than hooking up wired components. Many homeowners also like being able to control their theater from their phone or tablet. That said, these products are generally more expensive and may require you to hire a pro if connectivity issues arise.