Curtain Installation – Professional Curtain Fitting Services

Curtain installation involves much more than simply hanging curtains from a pole. A professional curtain fitter can measure the window, select appropriate fixings, install curtain poles or tracks, position brackets correctly and ensure the finished curtains hang evenly and operate smoothly.

Professional fitting is particularly useful for heavy curtains, blackout curtains, bay windows, ceiling-mounted tracks, tall windows and difficult wall constructions. It can also reduce the risk of damaged plaster, poorly positioned brackets or curtain poles pulling away from the wall.

Through FraserBond.com, homeowners, landlords, developers and property managers can explore curtain installation, handyman and interior finishing services across London and the UK.

What Does Curtain Installation Include?

Depending on the project, a curtain installation service may include:

• Measuring windows
• Marking bracket positions
• Checking the fixing surface
• Drilling and fitting suitable wall fixings
• Installing curtain poles
• Installing curtain tracks
• Cutting poles or tracks where necessary
• Fitting finials
• Hanging curtains
• Adjusting curtain hooks
• Setting curtain length and position
• Testing opening and closing
• Removing an existing pole or track

Some installers can also fit blinds, shutters, pelmets and motorised curtain tracks.

Curtain Pole Installation

Curtain poles are a popular choice for bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

Installation normally involves:

Measure → Position Brackets → Select Fixings → Drill → Install Brackets → Fit Pole → Hang Curtains → Adjust

Accurate positioning is important. A pole installed too close to the window can prevent curtains from stacking neatly, while one installed too low can make the window appear smaller.

The pole must also be adequately supported for the weight of the curtains.

Curtain Track Installation

Tracks can provide a more discreet appearance than decorative poles and are particularly useful for:

• Floor-to-ceiling curtains
• Bay windows
• Large windows
• Hotel-style interiors
• Blackout curtains
• Ceiling-mounted curtains
• Wave curtains

Tracks may be attached to the wall or ceiling depending on the product and room design.

Flexible or specially shaped systems can also be used around curved or bay windows.

How Much Does Curtain Installation Cost?

Curtain-fitting prices depend on the number of windows, fixing surface, curtain weight and whether poles or tracks need to be assembled or cut.

Current UK trade guidance puts a handyman at roughly £30 per hour on average, with minimum call-out charges commonly around £40–£50. It gives approximately £45 as a benchmark for installing a curtain rail.

Treat these figures as planning estimates rather than fixed quotations. Multiple windows, difficult substrates, very heavy curtains, high ceilings and specialist tracks can increase the price.

Curtain Installation Cost Per Window

For straightforward installations, contractors may quote:

• Per window
• Per pole
• Per track
• Hourly
• Half-day or day rate

If you have curtains to install throughout an entire house or flat, asking for a single project quotation may be more economical than arranging individual visits.

A written quote should establish whether the price includes:

• Fixings
• Pole assembly
• Track cutting
• Existing fitting removal
• Curtain hanging
• VAT
• Parking or access charges

Curtain Installation Near Me

A local curtain installer may be a:

• Handyman
• Curtain fitter
• Blind and curtain installer
• Interior fitter
• Carpenter
• Specialist window-treatment installer

For a straightforward bedroom curtain pole, a competent handyman may be sufficient.

For bespoke curtains, complex bays, automated tracks or unusually heavy window treatments, a specialist curtain installer may be preferable.

Curtain Installation in London

London curtain fitting can involve additional practical considerations, particularly in apartments and high-value properties.

These may include:

• Parking
• Concierge access
• Restricted working hours
• High ceilings
• Period plasterwork
• Large sash windows
• Bay windows
• Floor-to-ceiling glazing
• Bespoke curtains

For several rooms, provide the installer with photographs and approximate window dimensions when requesting a quotation.

How High Should a Curtain Pole Be?

There is no single correct height for every room.

The appropriate position depends on:

• Window proportions
• Ceiling height
• Curtain length
• Pole design
• Available wall space
• Interior design

Positioning curtains above and outside the window opening can create the appearance of a larger window and allow more glazing to remain exposed when the curtains are open.

However, the fixing position must also provide a structurally suitable place for the brackets.

How Wide Should a Curtain Pole Be?

The pole normally needs to extend beyond the window opening so that curtains can stack to either side when open.

The correct extension depends on:

• Curtain fullness
• Curtain thickness
• Window width
• Wall space
• Pole design

Very thick lined curtains require more stacking space than lightweight curtains.

Measure the complete arrangement rather than ordering a pole based only on the width of the glass.

Curtain Installation on Plasterboard

Plasterboard requires appropriate fixings.

A heavy curtain pole attached using unsuitable lightweight plugs can eventually pull away from the wall.

Depending on the construction, an installer may use:

• Stud locations
• Appropriate plasterboard fixings
• Structural backing
• Alternative bracket positions

The correct fixing depends on both the wall construction and expected curtain load.

For particularly heavy curtains, establishing the substrate before installation is important.

Curtain Installation on Brick Walls

Masonry can provide a strong fixing surface when appropriate plugs and screws are used.

However, the installer still needs to consider:

• Plaster thickness
• Brick or block construction
• Bracket position
• Curtain weight
• Concealed services

Drilling blindly around a window is not good practice.

Check for Hidden Pipes and Electrical Cables

Before drilling into walls or ceilings, installers should consider the possibility of concealed electrical cables, pipes and other services.

Electrical Safety First advises checking for hidden cables and pipes before drilling into walls and using a suitable detector where appropriate.

This is especially relevant where curtain brackets are being installed near electrical accessories or where ceiling-mounted tracks require numerous fixing points.

Bay Window Curtain Installation

Bay windows can require more specialised planning.

Options include:

• Flexible curtain tracks
• Custom-bent tracks
• Multi-section poles
• Ceiling-mounted tracks
• Passing brackets
• Specialist bay-window poles

The challenge is allowing curtains to travel around corners without brackets obstructing their movement.

For made-to-measure curtains, arrange the pole or track specification before finalising curtain dimensions.

Ceiling-Mounted Curtain Tracks

Ceiling tracks are increasingly used for contemporary interiors.

They can create:

• Floor-to-ceiling appearance
• Minimalist detailing
• Hotel-style curtains
• Full-wall window treatments
• Room-dividing curtains

The ceiling construction needs to be suitable for the load.

Suspended ceilings and plasterboard ceilings may require a different fixing strategy from solid concrete.

Blackout Curtain Installation

Blackout performance depends on more than the curtain fabric.

Light can enter around:

• Top
• Sides
• Centre overlap
• Bottom

For better room darkening, the curtain or track should provide adequate coverage beyond the window opening.

This can be useful for:

• Bedrooms
• Nurseries
• Home cinemas
• Shift workers
• Short-term accommodation

Thermal Curtain Installation

Thermal or lined curtains can help reduce draughts and improve comfort around windows, particularly in older properties.

Because these curtains can be considerably heavier than unlined fabric, the pole, brackets and fixings should be specified accordingly.

Curtains should also be positioned carefully around radiators and other heat sources.

Wave Curtain Installation

Wave curtains use a specialist heading and track system to create consistent folds.

They are commonly used in:

• Contemporary apartments
• Large glazed rooms
• Luxury homes
• Hotels
• Offices

Accurate track positioning is particularly important because the uniform wave pattern is part of the finished appearance.

Eyelet Curtain Installation

Eyelet curtains run directly over a curtain pole.