Install custom blinds.

Professional installation ensures that your window treatments operate smoothly and, crucially, comply with stringent UK child safety regulations. Whether you are looking for classic Romans, modern Rollers, or specialised "Perfect Fit" blinds for uPVC doors, a professional installer provides the precision that DIY often lacks.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey: A professional takes laser-accurate measurements of the window recess or frame.
• Design Consultation: Advice on fabric types (blackout, dim-out, or thermal) and hardware finishes.
• Manufacturing: Your blinds are custom-made to your specific measurements in a workshop or factory.
• Structural Assessment: Checking the lintel type (stone, steel, or timber) to ensure the correct fixings are used.
• Installation: Securely mounting brackets and fitting the blind mechanism.
• Safety Compliance: Installing cord tidies, cleats, or tensioners to meet UK safety standards.

Typical Costs

Prices for custom blinds vary significantly based on fabric quality, window size, and the complexity of the mechanism. Motorised options or specialised shapes (like apex windows) will sit at the higher end of the scale.

Prices generally include VAT. Remember that bay windows require multiple individual blinds, which can triple the cost compared to a single flat window.

How Long Does It Take?

• Initial Consultation: 30–60 minutes depending on the number of windows.
• Manufacturing Lead Time: 2–4 weeks (bespoke fabrics or motorised systems may take longer).
• Installation: 20–45 minutes per window for standard blinds.
• Full House Fitting: Typically completed within one working day.

DIY or Professional?

While DIY fitting is possible for standard windows, it carries risks. Inaccurate measurements by even 5mm can result in a blind that won't fit the recess or leaves significant light gaps.

Professionals have the heavy-duty drills required to penetrate steel lintels often found in modern UK homes. Furthermore, professional installers must legally comply with BS EN 13120 regarding child safety, which is a mandatory requirement for all internal blinds installed in homes where children have access.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Look for members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA).
• Check for "Make It Safe" accreditation, ensuring they follow child safety laws.
• Ask: Do you offer a guarantee on both the fabric and the installation?
• Ask: Are your installers comfortable drilling into steel or concrete lintels?
• Ask: Can you provide samples that I can view in my home's natural light?
• Red Flag: Any installer who does not mention or include child safety devices (cleats/tensioners).

UK Regulations

• BS EN 13120: The primary safety standard for internal blinds. It dictates cord lengths and the mandatory use of safety breakaways or tensioning devices.
• Part L Compliance: High-performance thermal blinds can contribute to your home’s overall energy efficiency rating.
• Paperwork: You should receive a receipt of purchase and a manufacturer’s warranty (usually 1–5 years).

Common Problems

• Measuring Errors: Failing to account for window handles or tiles within the recess.
• Steel Lintels: Standard DIY drills often fail to penetrate the steel beams above windows; professionals use specialised cobalt bits.
• Fabric Fading: Choosing non-UV stabilised fabrics for south-facing windows, leading to rapid discolouration.
• Inadequate Fixings: Blinds pulling out of the plasterboard because the wrong wall plugs were used for the weight of the blind.

Frequently Asked Questions