Is It Worth Getting Blinds Professionally Measured and Fitted?
When choosing blinds for your home, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to measure and fit them yourself or use a professional service.
It’s a question we’re asked regularly, especially with so many online options now available. While fitting blinds yourself can work in some situations, professional measuring and fitting can make a noticeable difference to how blinds look, operate and perform over time.
Although this article focuses on blinds, the same principles apply to curtains and shutters, where accurate measuring and proper installation are just as important for achieving a neat finish and reliable performance.
This guide looks at the pros and cons of professional measuring and fitting, helping you decide which approach is right for your home.
Why accurate measuring matters
Accurate measuring is one of the most important parts of choosing blinds. It becomes even more critical when looking at curtains, plantation shutters and more complex window types. Even small errors can affect how a window covering looks, fits and performs once it’s installed.
Blinds that are measured incorrectly may:
Sit unevenly within the window recess
Leave gaps that affect privacy and light control
Catch or rub when being raised or lowered
Look untidy or out of proportion once fitted
Windows are not always perfectly square, particularly in older properties. Professional measuring takes this into account, ensuring the blind is sized to suit the window as it actually is, rather than how it appears at first glance.
For certain products, accurate measuring is especially important. Plantation shutters, for example, rely on precise measurements to ensure frames sit neatly within the opening and panels operate smoothly. Even small inaccuracies can affect how shutters close, align and function over time.
The same applies to curtains, particularly in areas such as curved or angled bay windows, where correct track positioning and measurements are essential for achieving a smooth, even hang. In these spaces, measuring is not just about width and drop, but about understanding the shape of the window and how the curtains will move across it.
More complex window shapes, such as apex windows, gable ends, roof lanterns and large glazed areas, also require careful assessment. These windows often involve bespoke solutions, where accurate measuring and planning are essential to ensure the final installation fits correctly and performs as intended.
At the early research stage, rough measurements can still be useful. Many companies can give guide prices or ballpark figures based on approximate window sizes, helping homeowners understand likely costs before making any decisions.
However, before anything is ordered, accurate measurements are essential. When a company measures professionally, those measurements are usually taken specifically to produce an accurate quotation and to take responsibility for the final fit. This helps ensure accountability and reduces the risk of issues later on.
Approaches can vary between companies. Some homeowners prefer a relaxed, no-pressure visit focused on advice and accuracy, while others may encounter a more sales-led appointment. Understanding how a measuring service works, and choosing an approach you’re comfortable with, can make the process far more straightforward.
Getting the measurements right from the start helps ensure blinds, curtains and shutters fit neatly, operate smoothly and perform as intended over time.
Why specialist knowledge matters for certain window coverings
Not all window coverings are the same, and some products require a more specialist approach when it comes to measuring, specifying and fitting.
While many standard blinds can be measured and fitted successfully in straightforward situations, more complex products often benefit from experience and product-specific knowledge. This is particularly true for items such as plantation shutters, bespoke curtains, roof lantern blinds, apex windows and shaped or curved bays.
Specialist installers understand:
How different products are designed to operate
The tolerances involved in frames, panels and mechanisms
How fixing methods vary depending on window type and structure
How to plan installations around uneven walls, angles or restricted access
For example, shutters require precise frame measurements and careful consideration of how panels will open and stack. Curtains for curved bay windows need accurate track planning to ensure smooth movement and an even finish. Roof lantern and apex blinds often involve bespoke sizing and careful assessment of fixing points before anything is ordered.
In these cases, experience plays a key role. Knowing what to allow for and what to avoid helps ensure the final installation functions correctly and looks as it should.
Choosing a company with the right level of product knowledge can make the process smoother and help prevent issues that may only become apparent once installation begins.
What professional fitting actually involves
Professional fitting goes beyond simply fixing a blind to the wall or window frame. It’s about ensuring the blind is installed correctly, operates smoothly and looks right within the space.
A professional fitter will typically:
Check measurements again before installation
Ensure brackets are level and securely fixed
Make adjustments to account for uneven walls or frames
Set tension, alignment and operation correctly
Finish neatly so the blind sits cleanly within or around the window
Professional fitting also helps avoid common issues such as blinds sitting crooked, chains or controls rubbing or mechanisms wearing prematurely due to poor alignment.
For more complex windows, larger blinds or heavier systems, correct installation becomes even more important. A well-fitted blind not only looks better but is also likely to last longer and perform as intended.
When DIY fitting can work
Fitting blinds yourself can work well in certain situations, particularly for straightforward windows and simpler blind types. For homeowners who are confident with basic tools and measurements, DIY fitting can be a practical option.
DIY fitting may be suitable when:
Windows are standard sizes and square
The blind type is lightweight and simple in design
Access around the window is clear and unrestricted
You’re comfortable drilling, levelling and fixing accurately
Many people successfully fit their own blinds and are perfectly happy with the results. For some projects, especially where budget is a priority and the setup is simple, this approach can make sense.
However, it’s worth being realistic about your experience and the complexity of the window. Small errors at the fitting stage can affect how a blind operates and how it looks once installed.
When professional fitting makes the biggest difference
There are situations where professional measuring and fitting can significantly improve the final result and reduce the risk of problems later on.
Professional fitting is often especially worthwhile when:
Windows are uneven, bay-shaped or unusually sized
Blinds are large, heavy or more complex in design
Precise light control or privacy is important
The blind needs to sit neatly alongside other window dressings
Long-term performance and durability matter
In these cases, experience and attention to detail can make a noticeable difference. Correct positioning, alignment and fixing all contribute to how well a blind operates and how long it lasts.
For many homeowners, professional fitting offers reassurance. Knowing that the blinds have been measured and installed correctly can remove uncertainty and help avoid costly mistakes or the need for adjustments later.
A practical takeaway
Whether it’s worth getting blinds professionally measured and fitted depends on your home, your windows and your confidence with measuring and installation.
For early planning and budgeting, rough measurements can be useful to get an idea of likely costs. For ordering and long-term performance, accurate measuring and proper fitting become far more important.
DIY fitting can work well for simple setups, but for more complex windows or when you want complete peace of mind, professional measuring and fitting can help ensure blinds look right, operate smoothly and stand the test of time.
Understanding the differences between these approaches allows you to choose the option that best suits your needs – with confidence and without pressure.
Need a bit more guidance?
If you’d like some honest, practical advice, we’re always happy to help.
Whether you’re at the early planning stage or thinking about having blinds, curtains or shutters measured and fitted, we can talk things through and help you decide what will work best for your home.
If you prefer to see things in person, you’re welcome to visit our Wickford showroom to explore options in a relaxed, no-pressure setting.
📞 01268 949255 | ✉️ enquiries@johnsblinds.co.uk
👪From Our Family to Yours – Dressing Windows Since 1975
At John’s Blinds, we’ve been helping homeowners create beautiful, comfortable spaces for nearly fifty years – always with craftsmanship, care and a personal touch.
📲Stay Connected
For more updates and inspiration, follow us on:
