How Long Does Installation Take?
A Realistic Timeline for Blinds, Shades, and Shutters
Plan on about 30 minutes for a single window covering and a full day or two for a home with 50 to 70 windows. Those are the numbers our installers work from when a client asks how long does installation take for blinds, shades, and plantation shutters in a Kansas City home.
From there, it comes down to how many windows you have, which products you choose, and whether any are motorized. Here is the timeline, product by product.
How Long Does Installation Take for One Window vs. a Whole Home?
Here is the quick reference we give clients when they ask us to ballpark it.
| Project size | Typical window treatment installation time |
|---|---|
| 1 window covering | About 30 minutes |
| 3 to 5 windows (one room) | Roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| 10 to 15 windows (a floor or a smaller home) | About half a day |
| 50 to 70+ windows (a full home) | A full day, sometimes two |
Those are starting points, not promises. A single motorized sheer shading that has to be tied into a home automation system can take longer than three basic wood blinds. On the other hand, a row of matching roller shades in a hallway goes up fast once the first one is set.
The number your designer gives you at your in-home consultation will be based on your actual order, so that is the figure to plan around.
What Actually Happens in That First 30 Minutes on Installation Day
A lot of people picture installation as a couple of brackets and a few screws. The mounting itself is usually the fastest part. Here is where the rest of the time goes on installation day:
- Mounting the hardware. Brackets go up level and square. On fabric shades, a headrail that is off by even a little can cause the fabric to drift and rub, so we take our time here.
- Hanging and adjusting. The covering goes in, then we set the limits, tension, tilt, and travel so it raises, lowers, and stops exactly where it should.
- Showing you how to use it. Cordless lift, top-down/bottom-up, tilt wands, remotes, and apps all work a little differently. We walk you through yours.
- Explaining proper care. How to clean it and what to avoid so you never void the warranty.
- Final adjustments and cleanup. We double-check operation, haul off the packaging, and register your Hunter Douglas warranty before we leave.
Skipping any of these saves ten minutes today and creates a service call later.
Window Treatment Installation Time by Product
Here is how the main categories compare.
How Long Does It Take to Install Blinds?
Horizontal blinds like Parkland wood, Everwood, and aluminum are the quickest at 20 to 30 minutes per window. Heavy wood blinds on wide windows land at the longer end. Vertical blinds and gliding panels take a bit more time because the track has to be perfectly straight.
Shades
Window shades run about 30 minutes per window, but the adjusting matters more. Roller, cellular, Roman, and sheer shadings like Silhouette and Pirouette all need a dead-level headrail, and fabric damage from a crooked install is not covered by any manufacturer.
Plantation Shutters
Shutters take the longest of anything we install. Each one is like hanging a door in a frame. The frame has to be squared to the opening, the panels have to swing without rubbing the trim, and the louvers have to close evenly. Plan on roughly one to two hours per window, and more for specialty shapes or French doors. This is also the product we never recommend installing yourself.
Drapery and Layered Treatments
Custom drapery adds rod mounting, pleat dressing, and hem checks on top of the standard install. When drapery is layered over a shade or blind, the two have to be set so they clear each other cleanly. Budget around an hour per window for layered window treatments.
Why We Schedule by Value, Not by Window Count
Most installers assign labor hours by the number of window coverings on the order. We do not.
A $150 custom blind and a $3,000 automated sheer shading are not the same job, so they should not get the same 30 minutes. The blind gets installed, adjusted, and demonstrated properly. The automated shading also needs power confirmed, limits programmed, scenes built, and its connection tested with whatever system runs your home.
So we allocate installation time by the value of what you bought. The simple product is done right, the complex product gets the care it deserves, and neither is rushed to fit a headcount.
Motorized Shade Installation: Where the Extra Time Goes
The physical part of a motorized shade installation does not take much longer than a manual shade. The motor is inside the headrail, so mounting is nearly identical. The time is in everything that happens after the shade is on the wall.
Power. Battery wands, rechargeable batteries, plug-in adapters, and hardwired power panels each have their own setup. Hardwired shades are typically coordinated ahead of time with your electrician so wiring is ready on installation day.
Programming. Every PowerView Automation shade gets its upper and lower limits set, then gets paired to your remote or the app. Scenes like “morning,” “movie,” and “away” are built and tested with you.
Home automation integration. If you use Control4, Savant, Elan, or a similar system, we build the automations into the shades and test them with your existing setup. This is the step that can turn a 30-minute install into an hour or more per shade, and it is what makes the whole system feel seamless.
If you are considering motorized blinds or smart home shades, tell your designer which system you use at the consultation so we can plan the time properly.
What Can Add Time on Installation Day
A few situations reliably stretch the window treatment installation time beyond the baseline. None of them are problems, but knowing about them helps you plan.
- Removing old treatments. Taking down existing blinds, patching old holes, and cleaning the frame adds 10 to 20 minutes per window. Let us know in advance, and we will build it in.
- Tall or hard-to-reach windows. Two-story foyers, stairwells, and floor-to-ceiling windows require ladders or lifts and a second set of hands.
- Specialty shapes. Arched, angled, and skylight windows need custom frames and precise alignment.
- Mounting surface. Wood trim is fast. Tile, brick, plaster, steel studs, and concrete need special anchors and slower drilling.
- Sliding doors and French doors. Sliding glass door treatments and French door treatments have clearance and hardware placement issues that take extra care.
- Older homes. Out-of-square openings in historic homes mean more shimming and adjusting to get everything level.
From Consultation to Installation Day
Installation is the last step, and it is usually the shortest. Your custom Hunter Douglas order is built after your free in-home consultation, and your designer will give you a lead time for what you chose. To see what happens once it arrives, visit our professional installation page.
How to Prep So Your Installation Runs Fast
A little preparation on your end keeps the visit short and lets the installer focus on the work.
- Move furniture and decor about three feet away from each window.
- Take down curtains, valances, and anything on the sill.
- Keep pets and small children in another room while drilling is happening.
- Have your Wi-Fi password and home automation login handy if you ordered motorized shades.
- Plan to be home, or have an adult there, so we can walk you through operation at the end.
That is it. We bring the tools, the ladders, and the drop cloths, and we take the boxes with us.
Blinds, Shades, and Shutters Installation Across Kansas City
Our installers cover the entire metro from four locations. Visit a showroom or book a consultation from wherever is closest to you:
- Overland Park, serving Johnson County and south Kansas City
- Shawnee, serving western Johnson County and Wyandotte County
- Lee’s Summit, serving eastern Jackson County and Cass County
- Kansas City North, serving Liberty, the Northland, and Clay and Platte Counties
See the full list of communities on our service areas page, or read what neighbors say about their installs on our testimonials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install blinds?
Most blinds take 20 to 30 minutes per window for a professional installer. Heavier wood blinds on wide windows and vertical tracks on sliding doors run toward the longer end. A room with four windows is usually done in about two hours.
How long does it take to install plantation shutters?
Plan on one to two hours per window for shutters. Each frame has to be squared to the opening and every panel adjusted so it swings freely without rubbing the trim. Specialty shapes and French doors take longer.
How long does motorized shade installation take?
The mounting is similar to a manual shade, but programming limits, pairing remotes, and building scenes add time. Integrating with a system like Control4, Savant, or Elan can push each shade to an hour or more. We plan for that when we schedule.
Do I need to be home during installation?
Yes, or another adult should be. We show you how to operate and care for each covering before we leave, and you can approve the final result on the spot. It is also the best time to ask questions.
Can you install my whole house in one day?
Usually. Homes with 50 to 70 windows sometimes take two days, especially with shutters or a lot of automation. Your designer will confirm the schedule when your order arrives.
How long does it take to get custom blinds after ordering?
Hunter Douglas products are made to order, so there is a production period before installation. Lead times vary by product and time of year, and your designer will quote a specific timeframe for your order. Ordering early is the best way to hit a deadline.
Do you remove and dispose of my old blinds?
Yes. Let us know when you book so we can build the extra time into your appointment. We take the old coverings and all the packaging with us.
What if something needs adjusting after the install?
Every covering is adjusted and tested before we leave, and your Hunter Douglas warranty is registered on the spot. If anything needs a tweak later, contact our service team, and we will take care of it.
Ready to Schedule Your Installation?
Now you have the timeline. The next step is a free in-home consultation, where a designer measures your windows, helps you choose the right products, and gives you a firm answer for your specific project. Call the showroom nearest you or contact us online, and we will handle everything from measuring to the final adjustment. With One Stop Decorating, the answer to how long does installation take is simple: less time than you expect, done right the first time.