How Much Does It Cost To Install Blinds?

How much do blinds cost to install

The average cost to install new blinds is approximately $697 for a standard-sized home. Most prices range from $211 to $1,203 for blinds covering every window in your home. The prices of blinds will usually depend on the quality, with higher-quality options costing around $80 each or higher. Plan to pay around $640 to cover eight windows at this cost.

Plan to pay another $140 to $400 to have your new window blinds professionally installed. This comes out to a price of approximately $50 more per window. Your actual cost will depend on how many blinds you need, the size of your windows, what type of design or material you choose, and whether you hire someone to install them for you or do it yourself. 

Labor cost to install blinds

If you decide to hire a pro to install your new window blinds, most charge between $10 to $20 for each standard window. A single-story home with eight 27-inch windows should have a labor cost of anywhere from $80 to $160 in total. The mounting brackets are typically included with the installation.

Some companies will also measure your windows to ensure you choose blinds that fit perfectly over each window. Many professional window blind installation contractors also sell blinds themselves, which can help to make choosing the right ones for your home even easier. Labor costs are higher for motorized blinds.

Cost of blinds by type

Window blinds come in more than just the standard mini blind format. Here are some of the most popular types of blinds for the home:

Slat blinds

This term refers to the horizontal rows, or slats, of your blinds. Slats come in a wide range of sizes from thin to thick, and this can have a major impact on the way a room looks. Slat blinds range from as a low as $11 apiece to as much as $215 each.

Vertical blinds

These blinds are made to cover tall windows and sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds typically open and close by hanging from a metal rail that's attached to the wall directly over windows and doors. They cost between $50 and $120 on average for a door, or between $30 and $80 per window.

Roller blinds

Roller blinds cost as little as $8 to as high as $190 per set. These blinds feature fabric wrapped around a casing of metal or plastic that's attached to a cord or chain. Simply pull the chain or cord to unwind the fabric to uncover your windows.

Cordless blinds

This window covering doesn't require a chain or rod to operate. With cordless blinds, you simply push them up to open them, then gently pull them down to cover your windows. The cost of cordless blinds ranges between $12 and $135 each.

Roman blinds

These blinds are similar to the roller style, but the fabric stacks up instead of rolling up whenever you want to open them. They look very attractive and typically use a pull cord to open instead of a chain. Roman blinds cost as low as $30 to as high as $120 or more apiece.

Venetian blinds

This style of window blind has 2-inch wide slats that open and close using a cord or a chain. Venetian blinds can be made of vinyl, wood, or metal. The low-end cost of these blinds is $25, while the higher-end materials and larger sizes are typically closer to $140 apiece.

Motorized blinds

A motorized or electric blind uses a remote-controlled motor to roll your blinds up and down so you don't even need to get up and walk across the room if you want to change them. More expensive models include a solar-powered sensor that can control when they close and open based on the amount of sunlight. These blinds cost between $400 and $600 each and exterior models are $1,000 and more.

Blinds material options and costs

Besides the style of the window blinds you choose, you can also select from a range of materials. Each material has different properties, looks, and price points:

Aluminum blinds

These lightweight window blinds are the most common choice, particularly if you're on a budget. Aluminum blinds cost between $20 and $70 each on average, but they're easily bent or damaged which can make them look unattractive after a lot of wear and tear.

Fabric blinds

Fabric blinds add a beautiful, wispy look to your home and are also an excellent way to filter sunlight in a way that's similar to sheer curtain panels. This option costs $50 to $100 apiece, but they're vulnerable to showing stains and may also acquire mold if exposed to moisture.

Vinyl blinds

Vinyl is another popular, affordable choice thanks to its versatility. These window blinds are inexpensive at about $11 each on the low end to $120 each for larger options. The issue with vinyl blinds is that they can become brittle and break over time.

Bamboo blinds

For a natural look, bamboo blinds are a beautiful choice that's also eco-friendly. This window blind material costs about $30 to $80 per blind but can warp or fade after too much exposure to direct sunlight.

Faux wood blinds

An affordable alternative to real wood, these window blinds have a beautiful aesthetic. The cost ranges from $30 to $95 per blind, and they're very durable and easy to maintain.

Wood blinds

Real wood blinds offer a high-end look to your home but they're also one of the most expensive choices, coming in at about $30 to $215 or more apiece. Wood blinds require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking new, so they may not work for every household.

Prefabricated vs custom blinds cost

The average cost for blinds depends on whether they’re custom-made or prefabricated. Most prefab window blinds have a standard design with a range of standard sizes. If you have extremely large or unusually shaped windows, you may need custom blinds instead. Prefabricated blinds can be purchased at major home improvement stores. Choosing custom blinds allows you to select any material, color, size, and shape you desire. A professional consultant may come to your home to help you select the right design, or you can design them DIY online. Most custom blinds cost between $150 to $200 or more each.

Window blinds: inside vs outside installation

Blinds may be installed on the interior or exterior of the window frame. Blinds on the outside of the frame can be hung as high or low as you want, which may help to create the illusion of a larger window and make rooms appear bigger. This helps to block sunlight while providing every room with full coverage. Outside-mounted window blinds cover more of the window and the frame, helping to keep your home cooler or warmer. Inside-mount installation is better if you want to hang curtains over your blinds. Simply mount a curtain rod over the window frame for another layer of protection. 

DIY vs hire a pro

The cost for window blinds also depends on whether you install them yourself or hire a professional installer to do it for you. Hiring a pro is recommended if you have large windows or prefer custom-fit blinds. These professionals know how to install your hardware securely to keep the blinds in place. They’re also familiar with many brands, materials, and mounting bracket styles to ensure a perfect fit over your windows. If you’re installing new window blinds for the first time, it’s better to pay more to have the professionals handle the project.