Not sure what to expect when someone shows up to install your blinds? Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the whole process, from first measurement to final walkthrough.
You ordered blinds. Now what?
You have picked your blinds, placed the order, and now someone is coming to your home to install them. If you have never had professional blind installation before, you probably have questions. How long does it take? Do you need to prepare anything? What if something does not fit?
We do this every day across the GTA, and the process is straightforward. But knowing what to expect makes the experience smoother for everyone.
Before installation day
The measurement visit
Professional installation starts with measurements, and this happens before your blinds are even ordered. This is the most important step in the entire process.
What happens during measurement:
Why professional measurement matters: This is the number one reason to go with professional installation over DIY. Custom blinds are built to your exact measurements. If the measurements are wrong, the blind either does not fit or has visible gaps. Professional measurement eliminates this risk.
Time required: About 5-10 minutes per window. A typical GTA home with 8-12 windows takes about an hour.
Between measurement and installation
After measurement, here is what happens behind the scenes:
1. Your blinds are ordered with the exact specifications from the measurement visit
2. Manufacturing takes about 2-3 weeks for custom blinds (stock sizes are faster)
3. You get a call or message when the blinds arrive and are ready for installation
4. An installation date is scheduled at your convenience
Preparing your home
On installation day, a few things help the process go smoothly:
Clear the window area. Move furniture, plants, lamps, and decorations away from each window. The installer needs about 3 feet of clear space in front of each window to work comfortably.
Remove existing window treatments. If you have old blinds, curtains, or rods, take them down before the installer arrives. Some companies include removal as part of the service, but doing it yourself saves time on installation day.
Make sure windows are accessible. If a window is behind a heavy piece of furniture that you cannot move alone, let the installer know in advance so they can plan for it.
Keep pets secured. Installers are going in and out, using drills and tools, and moving between rooms. Dogs and cats underfoot create safety issues. Put pets in a closed room during the installation.
Be home. Someone needs to be present during the installation to answer questions, approve placement, and sign off when the work is done.
Installation day: step by step
Step 1: Arrival and review
The installer arrives at the scheduled time with your blinds and all necessary hardware. They will:
Step 2: Bracket installation
This is the first physical step. For each window:
Inside mount:
Outside mount:
Time per window: About 5-10 minutes depending on the mount type and wall material.
Step 3: Blind installation
With the brackets in place, the blind goes up:
Time per window: About 3-5 minutes for manual blinds, 5-10 minutes for motorized (due to programming).
Step 4: Adjustment and testing
Every blind gets a thorough check:
Step 5: Cleanup and walkthrough
Cleanup:
Walkthrough:
How long does the whole thing take?
Here is a realistic timeline based on what we see across GTA installations:
- 1-3 windows: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- 4-8 windows: 1 to 2 hours
- 9-15 windows: 2 to 3 hours
- Full house (15+ windows): 3 to 5 hours
Motorized blinds add roughly 5 extra minutes per window for programming. Complex installations (very high ceilings, unusual window shapes, challenging mounting surfaces) take longer.
DIY vs professional: the real comparison
A lot of people consider installing blinds themselves. Here is an honest comparison:
Where DIY works
Where DIY gets tricky
What can go wrong with DIY
- Measurements off by 1/4 inch: The blind does not fit and cannot be returned (custom order)
- Brackets not level: The blind hangs crooked and you have extra screw holes in your frame
- Wrong anchors in drywall: The blind falls off the wall within weeks, damaging the drywall
- Incorrect motor programming: The blind hits the windowsill and the motor keeps trying to push, potentially burning out
The math
Professional installation costs are factored into the price of most blind packages. When you consider the risk of a measurement error on custom blinds (which can easily cost more than the installation would have), professional installation is the safer financial choice.
What is included with professional installation
With Blinds Planet, here is what is included:
- Measurement visit: Free, no obligation
- All hardware: Brackets, screws, anchors, safety devices
- Installation labour: All windows, any mount type
- Motor programming: For motorized blinds, full setup and testing
- Old blind removal: If requested
- Cleanup: All packaging and debris removed
- Walkthrough: Operation demonstration for every window
- Follow-up: If anything needs adjustment after installation, we come back
Why Blinds Planet?
We have installed blinds in thousands of GTA homes over 30+ years. Our installers have seen every window type, every wall material, and every tricky situation that Ontario homes throw at them.
Call (416) 890-4554 or request a free quote. We handle everything from measurement to final walkthrough so you do not have to worry about a thing.
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About the Author
Sarah Mitchell
Window Treatment Specialist
Sarah Mitchell is a window treatment specialist with over 30 years of experience in the window coverings industry. As part of the Blinds Planet family legacy since 1992, she helps homeowners select, customize, and install the perfect blinds for their spaces.