Install curtains & blinds.

Whether you are installing heavy velvet curtains, delicate Roman blinds, or modern motorised rollers, a specialist installer ensures the hardware is correctly rated for the weight and that all safety regulations are strictly met.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey: Assessing the wall type (plasterboard, brick, or stone) and checking for hidden pipes or cables.
• Measuring: Verifying window dimensions to ensure the track, pole, or blind housing fits perfectly within or outside the recess.
• Bracket Fixing: Drilling and securing brackets using appropriate wall plugs, often requiring SDS drills for concrete lintels.
• Hardware Installation: Mounting the curtain poles, tracks, or blind cassettes and ensuring they are perfectly level.
• Dressing: Hanging the fabric, steaming out transit creases, and "training" curtains to fold correctly.
• Safety Compliance: Installing child-safety cleats or tensioners for all corded products to meet UK legal standards.

Typical Costs

Prices vary based on the number of windows, the complexity of the fixings (e.g., bay windows), and your location in the UK. Most installers charge a minimum call-out fee to cover travel and the first hour of labour.

Costs will increase if the installer needs to supply specialist heavy-duty fixings or if they are required to remove and dispose of old, bulky window treatments.

How Long Does It Take?

• Single Roller or Venetian Blind: 30–45 minutes.
• Standard Straight Curtain Pole: 45–60 minutes.
• Three-Sided Bay Window Track: 2–3 hours.
• Full House (8–10 windows): 1 full day.

DIY or Professional?

Installing a simple blind into a wooden frame is a manageable DIY task for most. However, many UK homes feature steel or concrete lintels above windows that will defeat a standard cordless drill. Professionals carry high-powered SDS drills and a variety of specialist fixings (like toggle bolts for hollow walls) to ensure the installation doesn't pull out of the wall under the weight of heavy curtains.

Warning: Improperly installed blinds or curtains are a significant safety risk to children and pets. If you are unsure about tensioning cords or secure mounting, always hire a professional.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Specialisms: Some handymen do basic blinds, but complex bay windows often require a dedicated curtain fitter.
• Insurance: Ensure they hold Public Liability Insurance in case of accidental damage to your walls or decor.
• Child Safety: Ask if they are familiar with BS EN 13120 safety standards.
• Questions to ask:
  • Do you provide the fixings, or do I need to buy them?
  • How do you handle drilling into steel lintels?
  • Do you offer a guarantee on the fixings (e.g., if the pole sags)?

UK Regulations

• BS EN 13120: This is the primary UK standard for internal blinds. It mandates that corded blinds must be fitted with safety devices to prevent strangulation risks.
• Part P (Electrical Safety): If you are installing hard-wired motorised blinds, the work must be carried out by a qualified electrician or a competent person capable of certifying the minor work.
• Landlord Requirements: If you are a landlord, you are legally responsible for ensuring all blinds in your rental property are "safe by design" or fitted with compliant safety devices.

Common Problems

• The Lintel Issue: Hitting a steel or concrete lintel and being unable to drill deep enough for a secure fix.
• Uneven Ceilings: Fitting a pole perfectly level only to find it looks "wonky" because the ceiling or window frame is slanted.
• Incorrect Fixings: Using standard rawlplugs in plasterboard, which eventually pull out due to the constant "tug" of opening and closing curtains.
• Cord Lengths: Blinds supplied with cords that are too long, creating a hazard and failing to meet safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions