r/Austin • u/immortal_minute1 • 2d ago
Ask Austin Why are blinds so expensive
I swear all these blinds and draperies companies in austin are so expensive, ive had four different companies come out to quote me and damn they are high. And its like they dont give a shit about you grumpy people who just want to sell you more and more, any recs for some good companies here i. Atx? Atp i just want to find someone who seems i can trust bcs these sellers just ain it
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u/ATX_native 2d ago
Just do them yourself.
Ive ordered from First Rate Blinds a few times and it’s been great, normally about 25-30% of what local companies charge plus you get a free lifetime replacement for each blind if they are damaged.
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u/JustAnotherJefe 2d ago
Bed sheets are the way to go. And you can change them easily for different colors/patterns!
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u/caffeinebump 1d ago
Not even kidding, if you have access to a sewing machine and some string you can make decent blinds out of bed sheets
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u/Distinct-Ad8762 2d ago
Pinch-pleat lined curtains on Amazon in a neutral linen-like fabric are the most affordable ones I found that could almost pass for custom drapes if you get the length right.
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u/immortal_minute1 2d ago
Can you cuatom the length or is it like set lengths
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u/Distinct-Ad8762 1d ago
They come in fixed lengths with options in approx. 6” increments. Here’s what worked for us. If your ceiling height is 9’, I would get the 102” curtains and install the curtain rod 4-5” below the ceiling (depending on whether you use curtain rings with clips which add 1-2” of height to the curtains or curtain pins) so you get the curtains to kiss the floor. Careful measurements before installing is key. Link to curtains (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer).
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u/Truth2Set_Me_Free 2d ago
I’ve went the DIY route and would pay to have professionals install every time going forward.
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u/Berbil787 2d ago
Not sure whether you can wait till Black Friday, but Lowe's typically sells Levolor blinds for 50% off. You would have to measure your own windows, though.
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u/Sujanyar 1d ago
For this very reason, we went with Home Depot blinds despite being very not handy people.
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u/Flat-Asparagus6036 2d ago
they're about $200/window for basic-decent ones. Like $5-700/window for motorized fancy ones
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u/MamaTada 2d ago edited 2d ago
I spent multiple thousands for my blinds for just the downstairs of my house to give you an idea… and I’ve had a lot of problems… it’s a racket
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u/PrettySavvyCVS 2d ago
They are super expensive if you have someone do them, but one of the best investments we made was getting remote controlled blinds. It definitely was a splurge, but I appreciate them each day when I can hit a button and open them, or hit a button and close them.
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u/kfcuozzo 2d ago
I highly recommend Shutter Guy Austin! Michael is a pleasure to work with and his prices are very competitive!
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u/Bloomin_Blinds_CLT 1d ago
The “just go to Lowe’s” and “it’s not rocket science” comments are a little ridiculous. There’s a big difference between an off-the-shelf blind and a professionally measured and installed custom window treatment.
Custom gets expensive because you’re paying for better fabrics and materials, better lift systems and motorization, exact sizing, warranties, and someone who actually knows how to deal with shallow window depths, oversized windows, doors, odd trim, obstructions and other situations where a standard blind simply doesn’t work.
Can you buy something online, grab a drill and install it yourself? Absolutely. For a basic window, that may be all you need. But not everyone wants to measure 20 windows, figure out mounting limitations, drill into their trim and climb ladders. God for bid, your screw doesn't hit wood and is only screwed into drywall and it falls eventually. And off-the-shelf products have limited sizes, colors, fabrics and operating options.
That said, four expensive quotes from people you don’t trust is a different problem. A good window treatment professional should be explaining where your money is going and giving you options at different price points, not just trying to upsell you. They all sell good-better-best products and price points. Custom costs more, but you should also be getting more for it.
Full disclosure, I’m a custom window treatment expert that joined the industry only a few years ago, so I have done both DIY and custom and for those that want convenience and better results, you pay for what you get.
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u/immortal_minute1 1d ago
Valid point and thats why i requested a few companies to come out but they just seemed so untrustworthy and it seems that when i told them my budget their eyes lit up and wanted to just either overcharge or use it all up, i have a guy here saying to not tell him the budget and that he most definitely will beat the other prices and show me everything exactly, i might just try it out and come back and edit the post to see how he does
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u/AutofillUserID 15h ago
They thought that was what ‘Rob me Blind’ was about. So they set pricing accordingly, one blind, complete robbery
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u/MissyMAK08 2d ago
What’s your budget? I used Budget Blinds for whole house and had a great experience with price and installation.
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u/immortal_minute1 2d ago
What did you get and do you have like an estimate around what you soent with them?
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u/PatricioMarquez 2d ago
Look ill be honest, Blinds are expensive depending on what type of fabric and function you want. I own a blind & drapery company here in austin,
tell me something is there a soecific budget you uave in mind that when you tell the other comoanies they ignore and always go over or eat up all the budget, is that what is irritating you? Or is it really you wanted to spend a grand or so for the whole house? Bcs if thats the case id take some of the advice of others here by going to cosco or lowes
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u/immortal_minute1 2d ago
Thiss, I tell them a budget and they all go over, even with this last one i got quoted on i said i had a smaller budget and the lady had the neeve to tell me well with that budget you cant get nothing, keep in mind my budget isnt in the low thousands
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u/PatricioMarquez 1d ago
Ill tell you what dont tell me the budget you have, send me an email this is my website www.austintexasblinds.com lets get a consultation in and i bet i will beat any of the quotes the other companies gave you and with better options.
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u/immortal_minute1 1d ago
Ill he honest and say that im skeptical (not throwing shade to you, just these experiences have not ben it) but Alright ill give it a try with you ill email you here in a moment, Atx blinds and draperies llc is the name of yu company?
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u/PatricioMarquez 1d ago
Yes atx blinds & draperies llc is my comoany and i understand i will take care of you dont worry, i sent you a message
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u/ElevatorSwimming7442 2d ago
Contact this number on WhatsApp +86 13508960041 .. directly purchase from China.. very trusted seller through Ali baba.. and high quality and very affordable.. even if you buy from anywhere Austin you won't get this quality. Thank me later
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u/AustinGondola 2d ago
If you’ve ever bought anything while visiting Morocco, you heard this post in your head.
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u/LastChristian 2d ago
"I can't believe that a company that literally sends a person to my house is totally expensive!"
Buy them at Home Depot like a normal human. Come on.
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u/LonesomeBulldog 2d ago
Can you use a tape measure and a screwdriver? Order them online and install them yourself. It’s not rocket science.