Cost of Fitting Curtains

Hanging new curtains?

In the following guide, we'll break down how much it costs to hang and install different types of curtains and blinds.

On average, you're looking at a spend of around £150 which includes all the prep work and materials required for curtain fitting.

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This article will also delve into relevant topics such as the benefits of each type and what steps are involved in the installation process.

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How Much Do Curtains Cost to be Fitted?

If you don't feel confident enough hanging curtains as a DIY project, a handyperson can do it for you. Expect to pay £40 to £70 an hour, depending on where you live.

It will take around 20 minutes per window to hang curtains on a basic rod with brackets and around 45 minutes per window for a track rod.

The national average cost of hanging curtains, depending on the complexity, is between £40 to £400 per window, including the curtain cost, hardware, and installation.

Nylon curtains for a small window will cost £15, while the price for professionally fitted custom-designed silk curtains for a large bay window can be around £2,500.

Curtain and Blind Fitting Prices

Type, location, and size of windows

Windows come in all shapes, designs and sizes, as do curtains and blinds. Some examples include:

1. Fixed windows
2. Sash windows
3. Casement windows
4. Skylights/roof windows
5. Bay windows
6. Louvre windows
7. Eyebrow window
8. Witch windows
9. Hexagonal windows
10. Oriel windows

Curtains can have pleats, eyelets, and wave headings. Examples of blind styles include vertical, roller, Venetian or Roman.

The more windows you need drapes or blinds for, the greater the cost. Some companies will offer vouchers or a percentage discount the more you buy.

Hanging curtains can take a few hours or several days, depending on the job and whether you're installing a curtain pole or curtain track as well.

A popular alternative to curtains are blinds. The cost of fitting blinds often works out cheaper than curtains, depending on the material and type chosen. Roller and wooden blinds are cheaper options compared to blackout or day/night blinds.

The average cost of hanging blinds is £87.50.

Curtain and Blind Installation Prices

Supply Only Costs

Curtains come in many fabrics, from budget options such as nylon and acrylic to exclusive high-end alternatives, such as velvet and hand-printed silk. The material choice will heavily influence the average cost of the job.

The table below shows common fabric types with the associated average costs without installation (supply only).

This cost to install curtains can vary depending due to many factors, including location, current pricing structures, curtain size, and the size and number of windows.

Cost to Fit Blinds

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Additional Costs

Labour at £175 a day (tradesman) £100 (labourer), including incidental fixings etc. Also, do remember that VAT must be added to your final costing.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The average window blind will cost from £60 to £115 to install. Depending on the number of windows involved in the job, this cost estimate will vary considerably.

Window Blinds Installation Costs

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Cost Factors of Hanging Curtains and Blinds

Curtain Rod Cost

The table below shows common curtain rod types with the average prices.

Swing Arm Curtain Rod

This style will usually cost between £5 - £110, depending on the scale and type. This rod for this type of curtain is L shaped, attached to the wall at one side. The rod swings out, letting you open and close your curtains easily. Swing arm rods cannot withstand the same heavier weights as other rod types.

Tension Curtain Rod

Tension curtain rods usually cost between £5 - £110 and are among the simplest styles of curtain rods. Usually fairly straight forward to install, they stay in place through tension. They can, however, collapse should the curtains be too heavy.

Single Curtain Rod

Expect to pay around £5 - £220 for a single curtain rod, depending on the size and style. Single curtain rods come in styles ranging from simple and affordable to very elaborate and ultra-expensive.

Curtains are normally installed around 6 inches above the frame, but it'll make the room look taller if you install them higher. Measure from the top area down to the bottom and consider this extra measurement when ordering your fabric.

To determine the width of your curtains, add 4-8 inches on either side of the window, then double the measurement to give extra fullness. These extra inches around the edges of the window frame will help block out the light. Curtain rods need to extend beyond the window frame by the same dimensions. This will make your windows seem wider than they are.

Fitting the rods and hanging your curtains can be a simple job undertaken as a DIY project, but if you get the measurements or angles wrong when drilling the holes, you could end up having to take it all down and start again as you will have wonky curtains.

Professional fitters usually charge around £10 to £45 per window, which equates to around £25 to £90 per hour.

Custom-made curtains offer the option of customising the panel sizes to suit your windows. They also offer infinite design options both in material and style. Consequently, they are more expensive than off-the-shelf curtains. They average between £185 and £1850, depending on the material, style, and size.

Additional Considerations

Many stores offer discounts depending on the quantity you buy. It worth checking this as you could make savings of between 10%-30% per curtain.

Curtains can act as insulation, lowering energy consumption by air conditioners and heaters by 10%-40%.

Avoid floor-to-ceiling curtains in bathrooms and kitchens due to wet floors in bathrooms and high traffic in kitchen areas. Blinds may be better options for both of these rooms.

Curtains will need cleaning, as, over time, they will gather dust and dirt. If you have heavy velvet curtains, then it may be best to use professional curtain cleaning companies. These will most likely be costly.

Curtains and poles are available from DIY superstores such as B&Q, and other local hardware merchants, with an option to suit every taste and style.

Curtain rails usually come in packs, which will include the brackets and gliders, but remember to check whether they also contain the curtain hooks required to hang your curtains. If not, buy them in packets from the same stores where they are usually available in either plastic or metal options.

Another popular job you could take on at the same time as installing blinds is to fix shelving. Most shelving is bought in flat packs to fit almost any space and is relatively easy to fit. If you feel you cannot take on this job, a local handyman will be able to do the job for you.

Type of Blinds

Slatted blinds usually come in one of three styles and offered in sizes to suit your requirements. Slatted blinds are often made out of wood, and they can be painted or stained to match any interior.

Bamboo is increasingly popular for this reason, plus it has added durability and is very eco-friendly.

Vinyl is an inexpensive option that looks great in any room. These blinds are easy to install and great at blocking the light. Metal options are particularly popular in offices, schools and commercial settings.

What's Involved in Fitting Curtains or Blinds?

Blinds can be easily adapted to fit any room scheme.

Outside mount horizontal blinds tend to:

1. Make windows look larger.
2. Keep out more light.
3. Make ceilings appear taller.
4. Hang freely over handles or security sensors.

Inside mount horizontal blinds are known to:

1. Give a sleek look to windows.
2. Let in more light around the edges.
3. Show off the window's trim.

If you don't know which mount to choose, start by measuring your windows:

1. To find the correct width, simply measure across the top of the window, then across the middle and bottom.
2. To find the correct height, measure from the top down on the left, middle and right of the window.

To check that the window is square:

1. You will need to take measurements on the diagonal from top left to bottom right.
2. Repeat this step from the top right to bottom left corners.

Can I Fit Curtains or Blinds Myself?

Although it's tempting to put up curtains and blinds yourself, it could end up costing you more if mistakes are made. Remember that if you are undertaking a DIY project, make sure someone is at hand holding your ladder, as you could easily fall!

Types of Curtains

Nylon Curtains

Nylon curtains will usually cost between £8 - £40 per window, and they are the most affordable options, offering many advantages. They are inexpensive and won't need ironing, however, the downside is that this material can fade in the wash.

Acrylic Curtains

Acrylic curtains cost from £8 - £55 per window, depending on the curtain size, colour, and style, and come in many colours and patterns.

Polyester Curtains

Polyester curtains range from £10 - £75, depending on your chosen size and style. These curtains are available in a wide range of and colours and styles. They are very good value but lack softness and elegance.

Voile Curtain

Voile curtains cost between £15 - £80 on average. They are usually made from 100% cotton, a lightweight, soft fabric, but unless heavily lined, which defeats the object of these sheer curtains, they are not good at blocking out light.

Cotton Curtain

Cotton curtains, on average, will cost around £15 - £110 per window, depending on the size and style. Cotton is renowned for its softness and durability and is one of the most versatile curtain options. It comes in a huge choice of colours and weights and is very versatile.

Chenille Curtains

Chenille curtains will range from around £15 - £110 per window. They are usually made from cotton, but they can also be made from synthetic fabrics. Chenille curtains are available in a wide range of colours and are impressively durable, resisting wrinkling and piling. They can give the room an opulent feel.

Chiffon Curtains

Chiffon curtains usually cost between £15 - £110 per window. Chiffon is a very delicate fabric, usually made from a blend of synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester. Chiffon is reasonably affordable and durable, soft to the touch, and not very thick. However, because chiffon is very sheer and prone to tearing, they are not the best choice if you want to block out light.

Lace Curtains

Lace curtains prices range from £20 - £220, depending on the size and style. Lace curtains are not a great choice if you require privacy, shade or want to block out the light. Although they come in some stunning designs, they will inevitably let light through due to their open weave designs.

Bamboo Curtains

Bamboo curtains usually cost between £20 - £220 per window and are durable and attractive, and effective at blocking out light. Bamboo is very eco-friendly and soft to the touch.

Linen Curtains

Linen curtains range in price from £15 - £220. Linen is made from the flax plant, well-known for strength, durability, softness, and flowing appearance. Linen can last for years if handled carefully, but it does crease badly.

Wool Curtains

Wool curtains average £22 - £380 per window. Wool is very soft and gentle to the touch, and it can last a long time without fading or degrading. Wool traps heat in the room but must be carefully cleaned to avoid shrinkage.

Velvet Curtains

Velvet curtains cost between £38 - £550 and are expensive and luxurious. Heavy velvet blocks the light out and is great for insulation, trapping heat inside during winter. There are many colours and designs on offer to suit every taste.

Silk Curtains

Silk curtains range from £75 - £1200 and the most expensive material for curtains. It is known for its softness and appearance. However, silk is very delicate, tears easily and can fade over time. Silk curtains are usually lined and require careful handling and regular dry cleaning.

Pencil Pleat Curtains

Pencil pleat curtains cost between £8 and £550 per window. They have relatively short, shallow headers, with small pleats along the curtain's top that grow fuller as you descend. They are affordable and work well on small and large windows.

Pinch Pleat Curtains

Pinch pleat curtains range from £8 to £750. They are pinched at the top to create full, distinctive pleats and a gathered look down the curtains. These curtains look best their best when long and fitted to large, impressive window frames.

Eyelet Curtains

Eyelet curtains, also known as grommet curtains, cost between £8 and £750 for each window. They are fitted with holes and have all the hardware built-in, making it easy to slide curtain rods through the holes. They form large, impressive folds, giving a look that works well in many modern homes.

Wave Header Curtains

Wave curtains range from £15 - £1270 per window, depending on the size, style, and material. They offer a sleek, minimalistic look that works well in contemporary homes.

Hobbled Shade Curtains

Hobbled Roman curtains cost between £45 to £1090, depending on the size and material. With softer folds than Roman blinds, they give windows an elegant, airy look.

Fixed Window Curtain

Curtains for fixed windows cost £8 - £750 per window. This window style cannot be opened and designed to let in light and provide an outside view.

Sash Window Curtain

Sash window curtains range from £8 - £1090. Sash windows are very popular and are constructed of different panels or sashes.

Casement Curtains

Curtains for casement windows cost between £8 - £1090. Casement windows have hinged frames that open fully outwards for maximum ventilation. Their sizes vary, leading to different costs, depending on the size of your windows and curtain style.

Skylight Curtain

Skylight curtains or blinds cost £50 - £1090. The price for these curtains mostly depends on the selected material and the size required. Skylight curtains are usually positioned in ceilings or sloped walls, as regular curtains will not work in these positions. They need to be fixed blinds or shades.

Bay Window Curtains

Curtains for bay windows will usually cost between £50 - £1090. Bay windows are usually large, with one central panel affairs with two glazed side panels. Aa, all of the curtains need to measure the same. This leads to higher costs than a sash or small fixed window.

Curtains and blinds installation costs differ depending on quality, material and complexity. The installation of the track will be separate from the actual cost of your curtains or blinds.

On average, it will take approximately 3 hours to install one set of curtains or blinds, with an average cost of £87.50 to fit a blind and £75 to fit the pole.

Types of Blinds

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are slatted, running along a top track. They usually open from side to side or part in the middle. These blinds are popular for patio doors and floor to ceiling windows.

Venetian Blinds

These are the most common and most popular blinds, with horizontal slats attached with string or strips of cloth, known as tapes.

Panel Blinds

Panel blinds have sections moving along a track, allowing you to open and close them. They are popularly used for sliding doors.

Pleated Shades

Pleated shades (sometimes called pleated blinds) feature a pleated material or paper that forms an accordion pattern that can be raised or lowered. They look similar to Venetian blinds but cannot be adjusted from side to side.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are a traditional window covering, similar to a Venetian blind. The fabric can create a thick stack of fabric at the top of the window when raised completely, blocking some window space.

Roman blinds are available lined or often offer additional features, like blackout and thermal capabilities. Ranging from £45 to £1090 per window, these blinds are attractive, modern and work well in darker rooms.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are inexpensive and can be rolled up or down to suit your needs. They often have features such as thermal or blackout linings.

Skylight Blinds

Skylight blinds are designed to cover difficult to reach skylights. Sometimes raised or lowered with a handle instead of a rod, automatic versions are also available. They can be pricey as they are usually bespoke.

Smart Blinds

Increasingly common, smart blinds are available in traditional and high-tech styles. They sync with a smartphone and can be controlled in groups or individually. They can be programmed to open and close at set times during the day and help you save on energy costs.

Smart controllers allow you to fit existing blinds with the same technology used by pricey smart blinds.

Curtains Vs Blinds

Window blinds are currently more popular than curtains. They are highly functional, versatile and stylish, but can be difficult to clean. You can't always pop them into the washing machine, as you can with many curtains, but the benefits outweigh the cleaning hassle.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Curtain and Blind Fittings

Unless your property is listed, you do not have to apply for planning permission to put up curtains or blinds. However, any structure with large windows will need coverage to avoid becoming a nuisance to others.

Hiring Contractors to Fit Curtains or Blinds Checklist

For a hassle-free installation, choose someone with the right experience and qualifications to ensures they can take the installation, regardless of the type of windows or blinds you give them.

Look for a contractor online whose profile lists their qualifications and training. They will have the necessary knowledge to install fittings easily. This ensures they have the right know-how to understand how to make the level of the blinds, even when a window frame is less than even.

Read reviews of their work online to inform your decision about which company you'd like to employ.

Find convenient, seek out a company service, making let it easier for them to come out and inspect your windows before taking care of the installation. Professionals may charge an extra fee to cover their travel, so look for someone in or around your area for the job.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-hang-curtains
https://www.reynoldsblinds.co.uk/blog/easy-ways-to-clean-your-vertical-blinds