Overview
Blind quotes are sold by the window, but the fabric and the mechanism decide the price
Blind installation is one of the lower-ticket installs in the interiors trade, and that doesn't mean it's simple to quote. The customer counts the windows and assumes a per-window rate. The contractor knows the price depends on the fabric (light-filtering versus blackout versus solar control), the operation (cord, wand, chain, motorised with a remote), the mounting (inside the reveal or outside, top-fix or face-fix), and the finish (cassette top versus open roll, valance versus none). A flat 'blinds fitted, $80/window' quote that doesn't surface the fabric and mechanism leaves the customer disappointed when the blackout they thought they ordered turns out to be a light-filtering roller.
QuoteGenio gives blind installers a quoting shape that fits the variation. Survey and measure with photos as the first line, blinds by window with the fabric and colour named, operation (manual or motorised) with the controller type, mounting and brackets, valance or cassette options, install labour, and child-safety compliance (cord cleat or wand only, depending on the standard). Send via WhatsApp or email from the survey with fabric swatches attached, take a deposit on the order, and the final invoice closes with the warranty card so the customer has the paperwork when a mechanism fails in year three.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of blinds installation and supply business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every blinds installer knows
Blinds price by window or by m squared, plus fabric, plus control type, plus motor. Quoting a 10-window house on a notepad eats your evening and still misses options.
Per-window pricing takes time
Pricing 10 windows with different fabrics and control types on a spreadsheet wipes out an evening.
Spec confusion costs jobs
'Roller blinds' versus 'blockout polyester roller, chain control, white cassette' wins or loses the job at the comparison stage.
Slow quotes lose homeowners
Blind buyers shop two or three quotes in a week. If yours takes a few days they have already paid a deposit elsewhere.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A workflow built for blind pricing: per-window or per m squared lines, fabric and control on every line, sent from your phone.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for blind pricing
Add a line per window with size, fabric and control type. Mix roller, venetian and roman on the same quote without confusion.
Works from your phone
Walk the house, measure each window, quote, send. No trip back to the office, no spreadsheet, no late nights.
Quote in under 2 minutes
Templates for common blind types get you from measure to sent quote before the homeowner finishes the coffee.
Professional every time
Branded PDFs with your logo, full spec per window, clear totals. Looks like a serious supplier, not a backyard fitter.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how blinds installers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Blinds Installers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Blinds Installers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Blinds Installers job pricing
A rough guide to what blinds installers charge for common jobs. Pricing varies by fabric, control type, motor and window size. Use these as a reference when you build your own rate card, not as fixed prices.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Site measure (full house) | R1,240 - R2,975 |
| Roller blind, blockout polyester (per m squared) | R1,570 - R2,975 |
| Roller blind, sunscreen 5% openness (per m squared) | R1,818 - R3,636 |
| Aluminium venetian, 25mm (per m squared) | R1,983 - R3,966 |
| Timber venetian, 50mm basswood (per m squared) | R4,628 - R8,594 |
| Roman blind, lined fabric (per m squared) | R5,289 - R11,238 |
| Motor and remote upgrade (per blind) | R3,636 - R9,586 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Blinds installers typically charge R1,240 to R2,975 for a full-house measure and credit it back when the order is placed. For commercial work, charge by the hour because measure time scales with the project. List the measure as its own line so the client sees it as a real piece of work, not free admin.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use per m squared pricing for blinds because that is how suppliers price the fabric and mechanism. Use per-blind pricing for motor upgrades and small accessories. Use hourly only for site remedial work or repairs to existing blinds where scope is unknown.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean, itemised blinds quote looks like. Each room is priced per m squared with fabric and control, plus motor upgrades and labour. Homeowners accept clear quotes faster because every cost is visible before they ask.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Roller and venetian blinds, three-bedroom house
Site measure and quote
Roller blinds, blockout polyester, white (bedrooms, 7.2 m squared)
Roller blinds, sunscreen 5%, charcoal (lounge & dining, 6.4 m squared)
Aluminium venetian 25mm, white (bathrooms, 2.8 m squared)
Motor and remote upgrade (lounge sliding door)
Labour (install, level, snag)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site measure and quote | 1 | R1,983 | R1,983 |
| Roller blinds, blockout polyester, white (bedrooms, 7.2 m squared) | 7.2 | R2,396 / m squared | R17,254 |
| Roller blinds, sunscreen 5%, charcoal (lounge & dining, 6.4 m squared) | 6.4 | R3,057 / m squared | R19,568 |
| Aluminium venetian 25mm, white (bathrooms, 2.8 m squared) | 2.8 | R3,223 / m squared | R9,024 |
| Motor and remote upgrade (lounge sliding door) | 2 | R6,280 | R12,561 |
| Labour (install, level, snag) | 5 | R1,240 / hr | R6,198 |
| Subtotal | R66,587 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R6,659 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R73,246 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Cassette upgrade for a clean look, fascia in matching colour, motor wiring or battery upgrade, the second trip for snagging once fabrics settle, and the cost of awkward bracket fixings on tile or steel reveal. Add them to your template once and stop absorbing them.
Peer snapshot
How Blinds Installers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Blinds Installers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
26
Quotes sent per month
48%
Average quote acceptance
4 min
Median time to send quote
R73,246
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of blinds installers. The same spec and pricing traps come up again and again. Fix these and you will protect your margin and close blinds jobs faster.
Mistake: Quoting 'roller blinds' without fabric and openness
Better: Always state the fabric: blockout polyester, sunscreen 5%, sheer 10%. Fabrics vary 2x in cost and the wrong description loses you the job when the client compares to a clearer quote.
Mistake: Forgetting the motor wiring cost
Better: Motorised blinds need either hard-wiring (sparkie required) or rechargeable battery motors. Quote the wiring or battery upgrade as a separate line so this never gets absorbed.
Mistake: Skipping the cassette or fascia line
Better: Open roller mechanisms look unfinished. Quoting a cassette or fascia as a separate per-window line lets the client choose and protects your margin if they want the upgrade.
Mistake: Pricing wet-area blinds in fabric
Better: Bathrooms and laundries need PVC or aluminium venetians, not fabric rollers. Quoting fabric there leads to mould and a callback. Always check the room and spec the right product on the quote.
Mistake: No deposit on custom orders
Better: Made-to-measure blinds are non-returnable. Take 50 percent deposit before placing the factory order and state it on the quote so the client agrees when they accept.
Mistake: Quoting before windows are finished
Better: If new windows are still being fitted, the aperture sizes are not final. Quote 'subject to final on-site measure once windows are complete' and re-issue once you can take true sizes.
Mistake: Open-ended quote validity
Better: Fabric and motor pricing moves. Set a 14 or 30 day validity so a 10-window quote does not expose you if the client takes two months to decide.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote blinds installation jobs
Walk each window and measure width and drop inside the reveal (inside-fit) or over the face (outside-fit), then decide with the client at site. Per room, pick the right product: blockout polyester roller for bedrooms, sunscreen 5 percent or 10 percent openness for lounges and dining, aluminium 25 mm or timber 50 mm basswood venetians, cellular honeycomb for thermal control, Roman blinds for feature windows. Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens need PVC or aluminium, not fabric (fabric moulds). Note mounting surface: tile reveal, steel, plaster, skew ceiling. Check whether motorisation is wanted and whether a sparkie will hard-wire or the system will run on a rechargeable battery motor.
Quote per window with fabric, control and mount visible. Line items for site measure and quote, each window listed separately with size and full spec (Roller, blockout polyester, white, 1.2 x 1.4 m), wet-area windows in PVC or aluminium venetian on their own lines, cassette or fascia upgrade per window at $ 35 to $ 95, motor and remote upgrade per blind at $ 220 to $ 580, motor wiring sub-contract line or note 'wiring by others', labour hours with rate stated, and second-trip dressing where fabrics need time to settle. Listing each window separately lets the client defer bedrooms or upgrade lounge fabric to sunscreen without re-quoting the whole job.
Set 14 to 30 day validity because fabric, mechanism and motor pricing moves with the rand and energy costs. Take 50 percent deposit before placing the factory order since made-to-measure blinds are cut to size and non-returnable, with the balance on completion. State the deposit terms in writing on the quote and the factory lead time (commonly 2 to 4 weeks for standard rollers, longer for motorised or Roman). Write 'subject to final on-site measure once windows are complete' when new windows are still being installed so you re-measure before the factory cuts.
Send the quote via WhatsApp from the kerb before the homeowner meets the next installer. Blind buyers shop two or three quotes in a week and the first professional per-window document usually wins even at a slightly higher price. Build on your phone while walking the house, share the branded PDF link before you pack the tape, and follow up after 3 days with a short message referencing fabric and colour choices. When a client adds motorisation to the lounge or upgrades bathroom to aluminium, send a variation quote covering just the changed windows so the main factory order proceeds.
FAQ
Common questions from blinds installers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Add a line per window with size, fabric and control type. The PDF shows each window clearly so the client can compare and decide.
Yes. Once your quote is ready, share it as a link via WhatsApp. Your client gets a professional branded document instantly.
Each line item has its own description and price. Quote the blind per m squared on one line and add motor or control upgrades as separate lines so nothing is hidden.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. Your client can open it on their phone and accept it online. No signup required.
Yes. Convert any accepted quote into an invoice with one click. All line items carry over, so there is no double entry.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Either works. Per window is friendlier for residential clients because they can see the cost per opening and choose to defer rooms. Per m squared is cleaner on commercial jobs with many similar windows. Whichever you pick, state the size of each window in the description so there is no argument later about what was priced.
50 percent before placing the factory order, with the balance on completion. Made-to-measure blinds are cut to size and non-returnable. State the deposit clearly on the quote and on your terms so the client agrees when they accept it. QuoteGenio lets you add a deposit line directly into the quote.
Quote the base manual blind per m squared, then add a 'motor and remote upgrade' line per blind (R3,636 to R9,586). If hard-wiring is needed, add a separate electrician sub-contract line or a clear note that wiring is by others. For battery-motor upgrades, mention the recharge cycle so the client knows what to expect.
Offer both. Open mechanisms are cheaper but look unfinished, while cassettes and pelmets give a clean line. Quote the cassette as a per-window upgrade (R578 to R1,570) so the client can choose. State the colour and material in the description (e.g. 'aluminium cassette, white') so there is no surprise at fitting.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Pricing benchmark
What do blinds installers charge in 2026?
Hourly rates by region, common job prices, a worked sample quote, and the FAQs customers actually ask. The complete pricing reference for blinds installers.
Typical hourly
$45-$100/hr
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"Solar is a long sales cycle. The quote activity tracking lets me see who has re-opened a quote so I know when to follow up. Very useful."
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"Emergency call-outs at 2am are the worst time to write a quote. Being able to send something formal from my phone in a minute has saved me more than once."
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Locksmith · Toronto
Guides
Guides for Blinds Installers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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