How-To Guide
How to Read a Blinds Quote: What Should Be Itemized (and What to Question)
A blinds quote is the one document that protects you if something goes wrong at install — wrong size, wrong fabric, or a "surprise" charge you don't remember agreeing to. Most disputes trace back to a quote that was too vague to hold anyone accountable. Here's exactly what a trustworthy quote should contain, the red flags that mean you should ask more questions, and what to confirm before you sign.
What a proper blinds quote should itemize
Every window in the order should appear as its own line item, not folded into a single project total. That way you can verify each measurement and price on its own, and any future warranty or remake claim points to a specific window.
- Window location/label (e.g., "Living room — south window") and exact width x drop in inches or mm
- Product type and fabric name, colour, and opacity level (blackout, light-filtering, sheer)
- Mount type: inside mount (recessed into the frame) or outside mount (on the wall/trim), since this changes hardware and sometimes price
- Lift/control type: standard cord, cordless, chain-and-cassette, or motorized (and which hub/remote, if motorized)
- Hardware included: brackets, valance, bottom rail, headrail colour
- Installation labor — listed as its own line, not assumed to be "free" with no mention
- Subtotal, applicable tax (Alberta charges 5% GST only, no PST), and the final total
- Quote validity period and estimated lead time from order to install
Red flags of a vague or misleading quote
A quote that's hard to check is a quote that's hard to hold anyone to later. Watch for these patterns.
- One lump-sum number covering multiple windows with no per-window breakdown
- No measurements written down anywhere — you're trusting memory instead of a record
- "Starting at" pricing that was never updated after the in-home measurement
- No mention of whether installation is included or billed separately
- Mount type left unspecified, especially on windows with shallow frames or trim that affects fit
- A verbal quote only, with nothing in writing or emailed to you
- Pressure to sign the same day to "lock in" a price with no explanation of what changes if you wait
- No stated warranty on the product or the motor (if motorized)
Questions to ask before you sign
A few direct questions before signing can save a remake, a dispute, or an install-day surprise.
- Is this price per window, or is it a package total — can I see the per-window breakdown?
- Which mount was used for each window, and was recess depth confirmed for inside mounts?
- Is installation included in this price, or billed separately?
- What's the expected lead time from deposit to install day?
- What warranty applies to the fabric, mechanism, and motor (if applicable)?
- What happens if the installer finds the opening differs from the quoted measurement on install day?
- What's the deposit and cancellation policy if I need to change or cancel the order?
How a Sunleo quote is put together
Sunleo measures every window in person during the free in-home consultation, then follows up with a written quote that breaks out each window: size, fabric, mount, lift type, hardware, installation, and tax, so nothing is bundled into a mystery total. There's no obligation to book after seeing the quote, and no online payment or checkout involved — it's a document to review at your own pace before deciding.
