A typical made-to-measure order runs 7 to 14 working days from measure to installation. Stock fabrics at the short end, imported fabrics and motorised systems at the long end. Repairs are usually faster than new blinds because there is nothing to manufacture.
The Sequence
| Stage | Typical time | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Measure and quote | Same or next day | Your availability |
| Quote to order | Your call | Fabric decision |
| Manufacture | 5–10 working days | Fabric stock, blind size |
| Installation | 1–3 hours on site | Number of windows |
| Total | 7–14 working days | — |
What Makes It Longer
- Non-stock fabric. The single biggest variable. An imported or special-order fabric can add a week or more waiting on the roll.
- Motorised systems. Motors are ordered per blind and matched to tube diameter; a wired installation also needs an electrician on site first.
- Very large blinds. Heavy-duty tubes and wide headrails are less commonly stocked.
- Bay windows and arches. More components, more angles, and one late part holds the whole set.
- December and January. Manufacturing capacity in Cape Town tightens over the holidays.
What Makes It Shorter
Repairs, first — a clutch, chain or tilt mechanism is often a same-week fix because nothing is manufactured: blind repairs. Then stock fabrics in standard colours, and phased orders where the urgent rooms go first and the rest follow.
Booking Around a Deadline
If the blinds have to be up for a move-in date, a guest arrival or a shop opening, work backwards from it and add a week of slack. The measure is the step people leave too late — manufacture cannot start until exact sizes exist, so an early measure buys more than an early decision on fabric.
Getting Started
Window Blinds Cape Town measures free across the metro, usually within a day or two of the call. Ring 081 411 8471, or see indicative prices first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do blinds take to make?
Typically 5 to 10 working days for manufacture, giving 7 to 14 working days from measure to installed. Special-order fabrics and motorised systems take longer.
Can blinds be installed the same week?
Yes, sometimes — for repairs or stock fabrics in standard sizes. A made-to-measure blind in a non-stock fabric cannot realistically be done in a week.
How long does installation itself take?
One to three hours for a typical home. A single blind takes minutes; the time goes into access, levelling and cleaning up.
Get a Free Measure & Quote in Cape Town
Window Blinds Cape Town measures, manufactures and installs across the metro. Call 081 411 8471 for a free on-site measure and quote, or browse the other blind guides.