It’s home improvement season! You’re ready to purchase some new blinds, preferably at an affordable price – but, as you begin your search, you quickly become overwhelmed by all the high-price options. Are there any blinds out there that won’t break the bank, and how can you find them?

As it turns out, there are more than enough options to suit any budget range. Whether you’re looking to spruce up an old boho bathroom or add some suave curtains to brighten up your living room, there’s a price for you.

In this guide, we walk you through how much blinds cost and explain how to choose blinds no matter your budget.

Average Cost of Blinds

According to the national average, it costs $700 to get blinds for your house – although the typical range is between $300 and $1000, depending on the materials used. For instance, a motorized set of blinds will be on the higher end of the scale as compared to PVC corded blinds.

The cost of labor (included in the average) is usually around $35 to $100 per hour for roughly four hours; materials average $80 each. If needed, removal of the old coverings and disposal usually costs around $100 to $200.

Cost of Blinds Per Window

As mentioned, blinds cost around $80 per window – so if your home has eight windows, that comes out to $640 in total. You'll then need to consider installation costs on top of that, of course.

How Much Does Each Type of Window Blind Cost

The cost of blinds varies depending on a variety of factors, including the type of materials and the features included – for example, whether they are cordless blinds or not. The size of windows also plays a major factor in the cost of blinds: The larger the window, the more expensive the blinds.

If your windows are a non-standard size and you need to get custom blinds, that will also increase the cost.

Can’t Decide on the Right Blinds? Order Free Blind Samples to Test Them Out

With all other factors being equal, including window size, these are the types of blinds and their price ranges. We’ve arranged them from least to most expensive:

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Bamboo & Woven wood shades ($30 - $75)
• Slat blinds - ($30 - $80)
• Mini blinds - ($6 - $90)
• Cellular shades/honeycomb - ($50 - $110)
• Roman shades/Roman blinds - ($30 - $120)
• Faux wood Blinds - ($30 - $125)
• Pleated shades - ($50 - $125)
• Venetian Blinds - ($25 - $140)
• Roller shades/Roller Blinds - ($8 - $190)
• Wood blinds - (Up to $200 each)
• Custom Blinds - ($150 - $200)
• Vertical blinds - ($120 - $300)
• Zebra shades - ($270)
• Motorized Blinds - ($400 - $600)
• Bay Window Blinds - ($50 - $1000)

To get a sense of the range expressed here, at Factory Direct Blinds it costs about $25 to get basic mini blinds for a 24-inch x 36-inch window and about $100 to get high-quality zebra blinds for a window of the same size. Mid-range wood blinds or pleated shades will cost around $50—so, double that of the cheapest mini blinds but only half of premium zebra blinds.

If you’re looking for blinds on a budget, the options toward the top of that list will be a bit easier on your wallet. If you’re looking for new window treatments that will last a long time, then you might want to focus your search on the bottom of the list.

Before you make your final decision, make sure you are accurately comparing prices for the features and window sizes you want.

What Makes Up the Blinds Installation Cost

Many factors influence the cost of blinds. For example, high-end vertical blinds with lots of features might end up costing more than a more entry-level version of roman shades. Cheaper blinds with features added on top can end up costing more than the expensive blinds you really want.

Here’s why:

Labor and Installation

Perhaps the most expensive part of the cost of your blinds is the installation. Even if you manage to find free installation, other factors can add to the cost:

• If you need someone to come and do a custom install for you, it will be more expensive than if you could do it yourself.
• The size and type of window also affect how much it costs to install blinds. Larger windows or windows with an irregular shape will be more expensive to cover.

As mentioned earlier, labor costs around $35 per hour on average. Blinds installation will take around four hours for a whole house.

Size and Type of Windows or Blinds

Larger blinds require more materials to make and will take longer to install, meaning the overall cost is higher. Smaller blinds, on the other hand, are much easier to make and handle; the final cost will reflect this.

The type of window also affects the cost of your blinds. If you have a lot of windows, it will take longer to install blinds on all of them. Windows that are irregular in shape or size can be more difficult to cover and might require custom-made blinds, which are more expensive.

Material

Some window blind materials are premium, while others are more affordable. For instance, real wood is more expensive to source and make than faux wood.

Location

If you live in an area with a higher cost of living, the materials and labor for your blinds will be more expensive. The same is true if you live in a remote location; it might cost more to have someone come out and install your blinds.

Provider or Brand

As with any home furnishing or appliance, the brand you choose may add to the cost. Retailers will also add a profit margin on top of the cost of goods to make a profit – but they do come with installation services a lot of the time, which factory outlets might not provide.

Motorization

Unsurprisingly, motorization will increase the cost of your blinds. Motorized blinds are a luxury item and are not essential for every home. They're also more expensive to install, as they require wiring.

Outdoor blinds

It costs more to purchase and install outdoor blinds simply because these blinds have to be able to withstand the elements. They must be made of different materials; for instance, aluminum blinds will get rusty outside, and wood blinds will swell from the rain. Outdoor blinds are sturdy, so the materials tend to cost more.

Child safety features

If you have small children or pets, you might want to invest in child-safe or pet-safe features for your blinds. These include cordless options, which are more expensive than traditional corded blinds.

Waterproof blinds

Waterproof window coverings are in a similar category to outdoor blinds; they're made of different materials that can be pricey, and the installation process is different.

Prefabricated vs. Customized Blinds

Finally, the cost of your blinds will also be affected by whether you choose prefabricated or customized options.

Prefabricated blinds are less expensive than custom window blinds, but they might not fit your windows perfectly. Customized blinds are far better for unconventional windows and oddly-sized window frames, though of course, they do come at a higher price point.

Should You Do it Yourself? DIY vs. Hiring Someone

Ready to install some new blinds? There are two options you can choose for installation: doing it yourself or hiring someone who already knows how to do it.

Many people attempt to install blinds themselves in order to save money – but in reality, this can often lead to more money being spent. Not only does the process generally take longer when you do it yourself, but there’s also a greater chance that something will go wrong. The last thing you want is to have to start from scratch because you made a mistake during installation!

Additionally, many people don’t realize that most hardware stores will charge you for cutting the blinds to size. So, if you’re not careful, you could end up spending more money on the project than you would have by simply hiring a handyman in the first place.

Hiring someone is an excellent option if you aren't a professional yourself or if you've never attempted DIY installation before. A professional will have the tools and know-how to get the job done quickly and efficiently – and they'll be able to take care of any issues that may arise along the way.

How to Choose Blinds

Choosing blinds is a big decision, and the price is only part of the equation. As you shop, it’s important to remember that more expensive doesn’t necessarily equal better in every given situation.

For instance, you might assume wood blinds are better than faux wood blinds since the former are more expensive than the latter. However, real wood blinds are a poor choice for certain rooms of your house that tend to be more humid and moist, such as bathrooms and basements. In those cases, it’s better to opt for faux wood blinds that are resistant to moisture and mildew.

Beyond the price tag, you will also need to consider the color and appearance of the blinds themselves and how they fit with the overall aesthetic of your house. The features of the blinds are also very important: As an example, parents might want to prioritize cordless blinds if they have small children in the house, as cords can pose a choking or strangulation hazard.

Room darkening vs. light filtering vs. blackout are other important considerations to make. If you want top-down, bottom-up blinds, that will narrow your search considerably as well.

At Factory Direct Blinds, we know how hard it is to make a decision about blinds. After all, it’s not like you can just run back to the store and exchange them like you could with another product.

To that end, we offer free samples of all our blinds to customers who need some help narrowing down their choices. That way, you can see how the blinds work in your home and make the right decision for both your budget and your design scheme. We also offer a warranty on our products.

You can order your free samples here!

If you’re a homeowner on a budget, taking good care of your new blinds will prolong their life, cutting down on repairs and giving you more time before you need to replace them again.

If you don’t already know how to clean blinds, check out our guide that walks you through the process for each different type of blind. Our blog also offers many other helpful tips, including the inspiration for how to layer windows treatments, in case you need inspiration as you shop for new blinds!

FAQs

Is it cheaper to install your own blinds?