Many homeowners consider the possibility of installing new window treatments themselves in the hopes of saving some money on labor costs that a professional would charge. If you’re experienced at doing this kind of thing, you’ll be better equipped to accomplish it without hassles, but if you’ve never done it before, you should consider leaving it to the pros. According to Blinds.com, more than 1/3 of all homeowners do not feel confident about making accurate window measurements, so they’ll know exactly which window treatments to purchase.
It would be best if you also considered what your actual requirements would be. For instance, do you have any sliding glass doors, French doors, bay windows, shutters, or specialty shapes that need to be accounted for? If so, you’ll probably want a professional to handle that since measurements and installation can quickly get complicated. Also, how many rooms will be receiving new window treatments? If it’s every room in your house, that might be a daunting prospect for a novice window treatment installer, but it’ll just be another day at the office for a professional.
Benefits of Using a Professional Installer
Apart from the obvious benefit of a professional having years of experience and knowledge about installing any window treatment, the pro will also have all the necessary tools to accomplish the job, so he or she will never be interrupted for lack of a needed tool. True, there aren’t many tools required for installation—a tape measure, screwdriver, drill, and ladder—but some homeowners lack even these essential tools to do the job correctly.
Any professional whom you choose to work with should be fully licensed for this kind of work and should also be insured against any accidents that might occur. It’s entirely possible that you could slip and fall off a ladder and sustain a significant injury while installing your new window treatments. That’s the last thing you would want to happen when you’re supposed to be acquiring an exciting new look for your home. Any time you take on a task you don’t usually do around the house, there is an increased chance of mishap.
Level of Complexity
Another factor you should consider when thinking about doing it all yourself or hiring a pro is the complexity of the installation job you’re faced with. For instance, when you’re having vertical blinds installed over sliding glass doors or expansive windows, it can be a very frustrating task. This is a perfect example of a situation where the experience of a pro would come in handy and save you the trouble of a somewhat difficult installation.
Measuring and installing shutters can also be pretty tricky, especially when your windows don’t have a perfectly square shape. Before installing any new window treatments yourself, consider these factors so you don’t end up tired, frustrated, and disappointed with the results.
