Running a Blinds & Curtains Business in Australia
The measure was 1,620mm. You ordered 1,620mm. The blind arrived and it's 3mm too wide to fit inside the recess because you forgot to allow for the bracket depth on each side. Full remake. 3-week wait. Client without blinds in the main bedroom. In the blinds and curtains trade, the measure is the most expensive part of the job — and it's done before any money changes hands.
What a blinds and curtains business looks like
What blinds and curtains operators deal with
Measure accuracy — double measure, no exceptions
A 5mm error on a blind measurement means a full remake. A full remake means 2–4 weeks without a blind in the client's home, absorbed remake cost, and a very unhappy client. The cost of a remake — product cost plus the installation visit — often exceeds the margin on the original sale.
Double measure every window. Measure, record, then re-measure and compare. Confirm inside or outside mount before measuring — this changes the required width significantly. For curtains, confirm heading type, stack position, and return before measuring. The 10 minutes this adds to a measure appointment is the most valuable 10 minutes in the business.
Lead time management — proactive communication, every time
Custom blinds and curtains take 2–6 weeks from order. Most clients have never had custom window furnishings made before and assume it works like buying off the shelf. State lead times in writing in the quote. When a supplier delay occurs — and it will — notify the client before the expected installation date, not on the day.
A client notified 5 days before the expected date is inconvenienced. A client who is standing at home waiting for an installation that isn't coming is genuinely angry. Send a status update at each stage: ordered, expected delivery date, dispatch notification. This communication costs nothing and protects the relationship.
Fixing risks — assess at the measure, not on installation day
Tile fixings crack tiles. Hollow plasterboard requires weight-rated anchors. Heritage window frames may have constraints on drilling. These risks must be assessed at the measure appointment and noted in the quote. "Tile fixings required at kitchen splashback window — tile cracking is a risk that cannot be fully eliminated and operator is not liable for tile replacement." Clients who receive this information at quote stage accept it. Clients who discover it when the tile cracks on installation day are far less understanding.
Where blinds and curtains businesses create disputes and cost
| Stage | What You Need | What's Actually Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Measure & Quote | Double measure every window. Mount type confirmed. Fixing risks assessed and noted. Lead time stated in writing. 50% deposit on order. | Single measure. Mount type assumed. Fixing risks not discussed. Lead time not in quote. No deposit taken before ordering. |
| Order Management | Order confirmed with supplier. Lead time tracked. Client notified at each stage. Installation date confirmed only after dispatch. | Order placed. No tracking. Installation date promised from expected lead time. Supplier delays not communicated. Client stands at home. |
| Installation | Fixing risks managed on site. Client sign-off at completion. Measure sheet retained for future replacements. | Tile cracks during drilling. Client disputes liability. No written fixing risk disclosure. Difficult conversation. |
| Payments | 50% deposit at order. Balance on installation. Stripe or Square on site. | No deposit. Products ordered. Client changes their mind. Operator holds stock and receives nothing. |
What blinds and curtains businesses actually need
ServiceM8 with custom measure sheet forms. All window measurements recorded in the app. Mount type, fixing notes, and product codes stored against each job. Measure sheets retained for future repairs and replacements.
Compare job management tools →Quotient for professional quotes with lead times, fixing risk notes, and product specs documented. E-sign before order is placed. Deposit invoice automatically generated at sign-off — products aren't ordered until deposit is collected.
Compare quoting tools →Stripe or Square for deposit at quote sign-off. Custom blinds and curtains are non-refundable once ordered. The deposit protects you if the client changes their mind or moves house during the lead time. Standard practice in this trade.
Compare payment tools →Single-measuring windows or not collecting a deposit before ordering?
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Build My Free Strategy →Frequently Asked Questions
Double measure every window — measure, record, re-measure, compare. Confirm inside or outside mount before measuring. For curtains, confirm heading type and return before measuring. The 10 minutes this adds saves the $300–$600 remake cost and the 3-week wait that goes with it.
State lead times in writing in the quote. When a supplier delay occurs, notify the client before the expected installation date. A client notified 5 days early is inconvenienced. A client who finds out on the day is genuinely angry. Send updates at each stage: ordered, expected delivery, dispatched.
Assess fixing points at the measure appointment. Note tile, heritage, or plasterboard risks in the quote with a liability limitation. "Tile fixings required — tile cracking is a risk that cannot be fully eliminated." Clients who receive this at quote stage accept it. Those who discover it when a tile cracks are far less understanding.