How Much Do Blinds Cost?

Window Blind Installation Cost Factors

Many factors impact the price of your new blinds, from whether you choose custom or budget-friendly products, the material, size, type of blind, your location, and whether you're replacing existing blinds or installing new ones. 

Prefab vs. Custom

Prefab blinds are the most affordable option, with prices ranging from $11 to $130. Custom blinds cost around $50, and you can pay as much as $300 per blind for a typical 24-by-36-inch window. 

Material

Aside from size, the material is one of the biggest cost factors for blinds. For an average 24-by-36-inch window, vinyl blinds can cost as little as $11, while high-end fabric, real wood, or leather blinds can cost up to $300. 

Budget-friendly blinds like vinyl and plastic are fairly easy to maintain but aren't very durable and have a comparatively short life span. At the upper end of the budget, wood, high-end fabric, and leather options have a luxurious look that can elevate a room, and while they may need a bit more care and maintenance, they last considerably longer. Note that the table below lists prices for the cost of the blinds only and doesn’t include installation. 

Size

Typically, blinds cost between $5 and $15 per square foot, not including installation. The price of blind installation is generally $15 to $50 per window, and you may get a better price per window if you have multiple blinds installed simultaneously. Take a look at some common window sizes and their typical costs, including parts and labor.

Style

The style or type of blind you choose impacts how much you'll pay. For example, a simple roller blind costs around $10, while a custom hardwood panel blind can cost as much as $600 to cover a window of the same size. 

Removal and Disposal 

Some blind installers include the cost of removing and disposing of an old blind in their installation quote, but others don’t. Be sure to ask if they do before you agree to a contract. If you need to pay for removal and disposal, expect a fee of approximately $10 to $30 per window.

Geographic Location

Where you live can dramatically impact how much you'll pay to have blinds installed. For example, the typical cost in Miami is around $650, while the average price in Boston is about $1,260. Plus, your geographic location can also impact the type of blinds you choose. 

For example, in sunny climates, solar blinds are a good choice. In colder areas, thick, insulated fabric blinds are a better option. 

Window Blind and Shade Costs by Type

There are numerous types of blinds to choose from, each with different price points. The most affordable ones are the commonplace roller, Venetian, and cordless blinds, starting as low as $25 for both labor and material. On the other hand, the most costly ones are panel and Roman blinds that can cost up to $650, including installation. 

The prices below are the typical costs for blind installation on a 24-by-36-inch window.

Mini 

Mini blinds cost between $20 and $140 per window. Prefab models cost around $20 to $100 installed, while custom ones cost about $65 to $140. Mini blinds are for smaller widows like bathrooms, where there often just isn't space to have large panels, drops, or rollers. Mini blinds are usually Venetian style, with small slats under an inch wide.

Shoji

Expect to pay between $50 and $250 per blind, installed. Prefabricated products will run you about $50 to $90, while custom work costs about $75 to $200. Made from rice paper, shoji blinds block bright UV rays but still allow plenty of soft light through. They're usually full of bright colors and intricate details.

Cordless

For cordless blinds, expect to pay between $27 and $330 per window. Cordless blinds are safer than corded types, as there's no chain or cord to pose a strangulation hazard for both children and pets. They either operate by lifting or pushing down the slats or via a remote control. 

Roller 

One of the most affordable options, roller blinds cost between $25 and $350. Premade roller blinds are inexpensive, costing about $15 to $190 each with installation, while custom ones cost between $65 and $350. This window treatment consists of fabric wrapped around a metal or plastic casing. The casing attaches to a straight cord or circular chain you pull to unwind and wind the fabric.

Solar

Solar blinds cost approximately $45 to $350 per window. Ready-made solar window treatments cost about $45 to $170 each, while made-to-measure models cost between $75 and $350. Solar blinds block UV rays and absorb heat while diffusing the light that passes through. This helps improve energy efficiency and reduces glare. You may also want to consider the cost of installing solar screens at around $120 to $480. 

Vertical 

Vertical blinds cost between $65 and $350 per window. For prefab vertical blinds, you'll pay about $65 to $170. For custom vertical blinds, you'll pay about $120 to $350. Vertical blinds consist of long vertical slats that run from top to bottom and can be tilted or pulled back completely.

Pleated

Pleated blinds cost between $65 to $350 per window. Off-the-shelf models range from $65 to $180, and custom pleated blinds run from $120 to $350. This type of window treatment consists of a single pleated strip of fabric instead of slats. 

Venetian

For Venetian blinds, expect to pay between $26 and $400 per window. Off-the-shelf Venetian blinds cost between $26 and $270, while custom ones run around $65 to $400 per window. These, along with roller blinds, are the most common type of blind. They're also known as Persian blinds and feature horizontal rows of slats you can tilt at various angles or draw right up to control the light and view. 

Cellular

Cellular blinds range in price from about $65 to $380 each, including installation. Off-the-shelf cellular blinds cost around $65 to $180 each, while custom ones will set you back around $120 to $380. This type of window treatment has honeycomb-like cells inside that trap air, boosting your home's energy efficiency by helping to regulate the internal temperature.

Roman 

Each set of Roman blinds costs around $65 to $400. Ready-made models cost about $65 to $170, and custom designs run from approximately $120 to $400. They're similar to the roller style in function. The difference is that the fabric stacks up rather than rolling up when closed. They're also more likely to use a pull cord than a circular chain in their design.

Custom 

Custom styles are anywhere from about $65 to $650 apiece. These window treatments come in any size and material imaginable. Faux wood and real hardwood are the most popular material options, however. Custom blinds are made to measure for your specific windows, ensuring a perfect fit. 

Panel

One of the most costly options, panel blinds cost between $140 and $650 per blind. Premade panel blinds cost between $135 and 350 each, and custom ones typically cost around $220 to $650 each, including installation. Panel blinds have a track that's usually mounted on the ceiling. These are usually installed as a window treatment for sliding patio doors.

Motorized or Electric 

Motorized or electric blinds cost between $400 and $600. Whether custom or premade, the costs for this type of blind are the same. You'll pay more for smart blinds you can operate remotely or have smart sensors. Some are also programmable, so you can set them to operate on a schedule. Models that plug into an outlet cost less than those that require hardwiring. For the latter, you'll need to hire a local electrician to complete the installation.

Cost of Blinds for Bay and Bow Windows

With three to four blinds required, window treatments for bay windows cost about $240 to $320. Their higher price reflects the extra material needed to cover the entire window. 

Blinds for bow windows tend to cost even more, up to $650 each, as they're usually custom blinds to accommodate the arcing window structure. 

Cost of Blinds for Sliding Glass Doors

Vertical blinds for sliding glass doors are about $50 to $200. The price includes the headrail, valance, louvers, and all required hardware. This style is typically 80 inches tall and between 60 to 72 inches wide to fully cover the door.

Cost to Install Blinds for a Whole House

The average cost of blinds for a house is $700, which includes four hours of labor at around $35 to $100 per hour. The materials cost about $80 each, with around eight blinds required. If needed, removal of the old coverings is about $100 to $200, with the disposal fee included.

New Blinds Estimates by Brand

Whether you look at a Hunter Douglas blinds cost estimate or ones from any other brands, it’ll become clear which will serve you best. Each brand has its own price range based on the material, size, and function.

Blinds vs. Shades

Across all styles, window blinds cost $700 on average. The cost of installing curtains and drapes is similar at $640. Although there are a couple of exceptions, most feature rigid plastic, metal, and wood materials. 

Shades use soft fabric materials, including polyester, cotton, and silk. Since both blinds and shades are beautiful and practical, the choice comes down to personal preference.

When to Install New Blinds

Good quality blinds can last for decades, but eventually, they need replacing. Safety is the most obvious reason to install new blinds. If you've got children or pets who are likely to get tangled and potentially injured by the blind cords, then replacing these with new cordless or motorized blinds is a smart move. 

You'll also need new blinds when your old ones get irreparably discolored or start to bend and warp. This is a common issue with plastic, vinyl, and bamboo blinds. If you're trying to boost energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, replacing thin blinds with insulated, solar, or cellular blinds is an easy option. 

When other signs of wear show up—like frayed blind edges and cords—parts not working as they should, and slats not moving correctly, you'll know it's time to change your blinds. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Window Treatment Professional

Although the hardware screws into the wall, installing window coverings is best left to the professionals. A window treatment expert will perfect their placement. Their precise work will ensure the coverings beautifully complement each window. They will also install at secure mounting points that prevent the blinds from coming down.

In addition, these professionals can repair or replace any damaged windows and doors while completing this project. Ask them to include the window and door replacement costs in the estimate when getting repair quotes.