How Much Do Custom Blinds Cost? What Drives the Price in Windsor-Essex
Every window is different, so we don't publish a price list. But the price of custom blinds comes down to a handful of things, and once you know them you can steer a quote toward your budget.
In short
- Window size, the product and the fabric set most of the price.
- Motors add cost per shade, so choose which windows really need one.
- The in-home consultation, measuring and written quote are free, with no obligation.
- Phasing rooms and mixing products are the easiest ways to save without regrets.
On this page
Why there's no single price
Two windows that look alike can be priced quite differently: one is wider, one is in a bedroom that needs blackout, one is over the sink where a motor makes sense. A made-to-measure blind is priced for that window, which is why a quote starts with a measure.
1. Window size
Bigger windows need more fabric and longer tubes or headrails, and very large shades need stronger hardware. Size is the single biggest factor. A wide window can sometimes be split into two or three shades, which changes the price and often makes each shade easier to use. See shades for large picture windows.
2. The product
As a rough guide, roller shades are usually the most economical, zebra blinds sit in the middle, and triple shades, Roman shades and custom drapery cost more because of the fabric and the work involved. Honeycomb shades vary widely with cell size and fabric. Mixing products room by room is normal: there's no need to use the most expensive product everywhere. See blinds vs. shades vs. curtains.
3. Fabric
Within each product, fabrics range from basic light-filtering weaves to blackout coatings, screen fabrics and textured or premium designs. Blackout and screen fabrics often cost a little more than plain light-filtering ones, and they're worth it in the rooms that need them.
4. Controls and lift
- Cordless lifts are the standard for safety and a clean look.
- Chain operation, fixed to meet Canada's cord rules, suits large or high shades. See child-safe blinds.
- Motorized lifts add a motor to each shade, plus remotes or a hub where needed.
5. Motorization
Each motorized shade has its own motor, so the cost scales with the number of shades. The way to keep it sensible is to motorize where it counts: tall and hard-to-reach windows, wide patio doors, and rooms you want on a schedule. Rechargeable motors install in a finished home; low-voltage hardwired motors cost more to wire but never need charging. Every motor and its programming comes with our 3-year in-house warranty. See are motorized blinds worth it.
6. Hardware and finishing
Cassettes that hide the roll, fascias, side channels for blackout and hold-down brackets for doors all add to the price, and all solve a real problem. We suggest them where they make a difference and leave them off where they don't.
7. The installation itself
Most windows are straightforward. Two-storey windows that need tall ladders or scaffolding, concrete ceilings and long runs of glass take more time and equipment.
Ways to save without regrets
- Phase the work: bedrooms and street-facing rooms first, the rest later in the same product family so everything matches.
- Mix products: roller shades in secondary rooms, zebra or Roman shades where you'll see them most.
- Motorize selectively: the windows you can't reach, not every window in the house.
- Don't overbuy blackout: use it in bedrooms and media rooms, light-filtering elsewhere.
What's in our written quote
Every quote lists each window with its size, product, fabric, colour, mount, lift system and any motor, so you can compare like with like and adjust it room by room. It's free, and there's no obligation. Read what to expect at the consultation.
Common questions
Is the quote free?
Yes. The in-home consultation, measuring and written quote are free across our service area, with no obligation to buy.
Are motorized blinds much more expensive?
Each motorized shade has its own motor, so the cost depends on how many you motorize. Most people motorize the windows they cannot reach easily and keep the rest manual.
Is it cheaper to buy blinds online and install them myself?
For a few simple windows it can be. For anything tall, wide, out of square or motorized, measuring and installation mistakes cost more than they save. See our custom vs. store-bought guide.
