I recently had a professional measure my 7 windows for custom blinds, and he was super nice and explained everything really well. I mentioned that my budget was between $1500 and $2000, but the total came out to about $2500, including tax and labor. Now I'm seeing that I can find blinds online for just $30 to $50 each. Am I overreacting? Did I get scammed here?
3 Answers
You can find cheaper options online, like cellular shades or faux wood blinds. Home improvement stores usually offer them at lower prices, and you can get them cut to size easily. Be careful about ordering size; they often deduct an inch from your measurements, so it’s good to plan for that. While you might not have been scammed outright, you should weigh your options between high-quality versus budget-friendly blinds. It might be more about how much you're willing to put in effort for installation.
If you decide to go the DIY route, you'll find that it saves a ton of money. Plus, installation is easier than it looks!
Honestly, if you're looking for a DIY option, blinds are pretty straightforward to handle on your own. I measured, bought, and installed faux wood look blinds for 14 windows from blindsdotcom and spent just over $900. Each blind came perfectly sized and labeled for the respective rooms, which made installation super easy! If you want luxurious options, your $2k budget for 7 windows should definitely get you something nice without needing to pay for installation.
You're likely paying extra for the convenience when going with a custom service. Big retail chains have a huge marketing budget and standardized pricing, which can hike up costs. Just make sure you're comparing apples to apples—if they're quoting you prices for cheap vinyl blinds, that total might be excessive for what you're actually getting.
Definitely check if you can repair your existing blinds. Many times it’s a simple fix, and covers like curtains can give a nice touch without breaking the bank!