Blind lead times for a typical made-to-measure order run 10 to 14 working days from quote approval to installation. Stock fabrics sit at the short end, and imported fabrics and motorised systems at the long end. Repairs are usually faster than a new order because nothing new has to be made.
Blind lead times, in sequence
| Stage | Typical time | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Measure and quote | Within 24 to 48 hours | Your availability |
| Quote to order | Your call | Fabric decision |
| Making the blinds | 9–13 working days | Fabric stock, blind size |
| Installation | 1–3 hours on site | Number of windows |
| Total | 10–14 working days | All of the above |
Production starts once you accept the quote and its price. The gap between quote and order is the one stage you control.
What makes an order take longer
- Non-stock fabric. The single biggest variable. An imported or special-order fabric can add a week or more while you wait for delivery of the roll.
- Motorised systems. Motors are ordered per blind and matched to tube diameter, and a wired installation 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. Many suppliers close over the December holidays, so an order placed in late November can run into the new year.
Which styles take longest
A roller blind is the simplest custom blind to make. The fabric is cut to width and fixed to a tube, so a stock fabric moves through fastest. Aluminium venetians take a little longer because every slat is cut to width and strung on ladders to the drop. A Roman blind is sewn with a lining and rods, which adds a few steps. Motorised systems come last because each motor has to arrive before the blind can be finished.
What makes it shorter
Repairs, first. A clutch, chain or tilt mechanism is often a same-week fix because no new blind has to be made: blind repairs. Then stock fabrics in standard colours, and phased orders where the urgent rooms go first and the rest follow. Blinds you bought online or from a shop skip the making stage altogether, and fitting them costs R150 to R350 per blind.
Booking around a deadline
Work backwards from the move-in date, guest arrival or shop opening, then add a week of slack. The measure is the step people leave too late. Production cannot start until exact sizes exist, so an early measure buys more time than an early decision on fabric. Our guide to measuring for blinds explains recess and face fits, which is worth reading before the visit.
Fitting day
Installation is the shortest stage of the lead time. Clear the sills and move furniture back from the walls so the brackets can go straight up. A corded blind in a child’s room needs its chain anchored to the wall with a tensioner; read up on blind cord safety before the day. What the fitting visit involves is covered under blind installation in Cape Town.
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 made-to-measure blinds take?
Typically 9 to 13 working days to make, giving 10 to 14 working days from quote approval to installed. Special-order fabrics and motorised systems take longer.
Can blinds be installed the same week?
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, supplies and installs custom blinds across the metro. Call 081 411 8471 or WhatsApp us for a free on-site measure and quote, or browse the other blind guides.