Getting new blinds is an exciting way to refresh your home, but if you’re thinking about tackling the installation yourself, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting into.

Many homeowners across Preston, Leyland, Fulwood and Chorley start out confident about fitting their own blinds, only to find themselves facing unexpected challenges that turn a simple afternoon project into a frustrating experience.

The truth is, whilst DIY can work brilliantly for some home improvements, blinds installation often needs more expertise than you might think. Understanding the common pitfalls before you begin can save you time, money, and quite a bit of stress.

The Measuring Challenge

One of the biggest headaches with DIY blind installation is getting the measurements right. It might sound straightforward, but measuring for blinds is surprisingly tricky. You need to account for the type of blind, whether it’s going inside or outside the window recess, how much space you need for the mechanism, and whether your window frame is perfectly square.

A mistake of just a few millimetres can mean your blinds won’t fit properly. They might be too short, leaving gaps that let light through, or too long, causing them to bunch up at the bottom. If you’ve ordered blinds for multiple windows and your measurements are off, you could find yourself with several expensive mistakes rather than just one.

When you measure yourself, there’s also the worry that you’ve missed something important. The stress of second-guessing your measurements whilst waiting for your order to arrive isn’t pleasant so we always recommend leaving it to the professionals. We’ve installed thousands of blinds across Lancashire and will get you perfectly fitted blinds every time. Yes, some online manufacturers will offer cover for mismeasured windows, but you’re left with the hassle of returning, reordering, remeasuring and you may even be left to cover some costs. Skip all of this headache, and trust the experts with your installation.

Shopping Without Seeing

Buying blinds online might seem convenient, but it comes with a significant drawback – you can’t actually see or feel what you’re purchasing. Looking at fabric samples on a screen is nothing like seeing them in person. Colours can appear completely different depending on your monitor settings, and you’ve got no way of knowing how the material will look in your actual room lighting.

The texture and quality of the fabric matters too. Is it thick enough to block out light? Does it feel cheap or luxurious? Will it complement your existing décor or clash horribly? These are questions you simply can’t answer from photos online. Many people end up disappointed when their blinds arrive because they look nothing like what they expected.

Like with ordering online, you are often able to order samples to your home. Same as with the measuring, you’re stuck waiting for samples to arrive in the post and you might not fight the right one first time. With our service, we’ll ask what sort of blinds your interested in and bring a range of samples for you to view, with no waiting required.

Fitting Frustrations

Even if you’ve measured perfectly and love the blinds that arrive, you’ve still got to fit them. This is where many DIY attempts come unstuck. Blinds fitting requires specific tools, a steady hand, and a good understanding of how the mechanisms work. Different blind types need different installation methods, and what works for a roller blind won’t necessarily work for a Venetian or Roman blind.

Drilling into walls or window frames needs precision. Drill in the wrong place and you’ve damaged your property. Fail to secure the brackets properly and your blinds could come crashing down. If you’re working with bay windows or unusual shapes, the complexity increases significantly.

There’s also the physical challenge. Holding a blind in place whilst trying to mark, drill, and screw can be awkward, especially if you’re working alone or dealing with larger windows. What should take an hour can stretch into an entire day of frustration.

When Problems Arise

Perhaps the most significant drawback of the DIY route is what happens when something goes wrong. If your blinds don’t fit, the mechanism breaks during installation, or you discover an issue with your order, you’re largely on your own. Many online retailers offer customer support, but when it comes to getting replacements or refunds you can be left facing a lengthy process involving lots of back-and-forth emails and hassle.

If you’ve already made holes in your wall or damaged the blinds during fitting, you might find yourself without any recourse at all. There’s nobody to call for advice, no expert to pop round and fix the problem, and no guarantee that things will be put right quickly.

The Professional Alternative

This is where professional blind fitting services from Blinds of Preston make all the difference. When you work with us specialist serving Preston, Leyland, Fulwood, and Chorley, you get expert measuring from the start. We fit fits blinds every day, we know exactly what to look for and how to account for all those little quirks that catch DIYers out.

You’ll see actual samples in your own home, in your own lighting, so you know exactly what you’re getting. The fitting is handled by experienced professionals with the right tools and know-how, and if anything does go wrong, there’s ongoing support to sort it out quickly.

Instead of spending your weekend wrestling with brackets and hoping for the best, you can relax knowing your new blinds will be fitted perfectly the first time. Contact us today to arrange your free at home design appointment.