DIY Wall Drilling: Tools, Tips, and When to Call a Pro

When you’re hanging a shelf, mounting a TV, or putting up shelves, DIY wall drilling, the process of making holes in walls to install fixtures without professional help. Also known as home wall installation, it’s one of the most common tasks homeowners tackle—but get it wrong, and you could damage wiring, pipes, or structural support. Most people think it’s just about picking a drill and a bit, but the real challenge is knowing what’s behind the wall and how to handle different materials—drywall, plaster, brick, or concrete.

Not all walls are the same. Drilling into drywall, a lightweight interior wall material made of gypsum sandwiched between paper is simple: a standard bit and a wall anchor do the job. But if you’re working with concrete, a dense, heavy material often used in foundations and exterior walls, you need a hammer drill and masonry bits. Skip this step, and your drill will just spin uselessly. Even worse, drilling into a wall without checking for hidden wires or pipes can lead to electrical shocks or water leaks. That’s why using a stud finder and a voltage detector isn’t optional—it’s a safety must.

Many DIYers rush through this because they think it’s easy. But the biggest mistake? Using the wrong anchor. A plastic wall plug might hold a picture frame, but it’ll fail under a heavy TV mount. For heavier loads, toggle bolts or molly bolts give you real holding power. And if you’re drilling into brick or stone? You’re not just drilling—you’re chipping away at a material that doesn’t forgiving. A single slip can crack the surface or split the brick, and repairs cost way more than hiring a pro in the first place.

You don’t need to be an expert to do this right. But you do need to know your limits. If you’re unsure about the wall type, the weight you’re hanging, or what’s inside the wall, stop. There’s no shame in calling someone who’s done this hundreds of times. The posts below cover everything from the exact tools to use for each wall type, how to avoid drilling into pipes, why some anchors fail, and real stories of DIY disasters that cost thousands to fix. Whether you’re hanging a shelf or installing a home gym, you’ll find clear, no-fluff advice that helps you decide: drill it yourself, or call in the pros.