How We Work
The Custom Blinds Process: from first call to perfect fit
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has measured, made, and installed window coverings across the Garden Route since 2010. This page shows exactly what to expect, whether you are ordering online from anywhere in South Africa or booking an in-person consultation on the Garden Route.
How does the Custom Blinds ordering process work?
- Online orders (nationwide): browse the shop, measure your window, order with secure checkout. Free delivery anywhere in South Africa. Made and delivered within 7 to 14 working days.
- Garden Route installations: book a consultation, Duncan visits your home with the full available range, takes precise measurements, and provides a written quote, then our team installs. Covers Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and surrounds.
- Custom Fit Guarantee: if an online order arrives too wide, send it back and we ship the trimmed blind back to you at our cost. If it arrives too narrow, send it back and we remake it with a 5% discount, shipped back at our cost.
- Free expert help either way: use Melvin AI for instant guidance, or message our team on WhatsApp before, during, or after your order.
Garden Route consultations: WhatsApp Duncan on 079 523 5407. Online orders: shop.customblinds.co.za.
A window covering is a small decision with a long life. We want yours to look right, work right, and still look right in ten years.
There are two ways to work with Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings. The first is our online shop, which ships roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, venetian blinds, zebra blinds, duo roller blinds, and no-drill tension-mount blinds anywhere in South Africa. The second is our Garden Route installation service, which covers every window covering we make, including shutters, awnings, shadeports, and outdoor blinds that require a physical site assessment.
The products differ. The standard does not. Every blind is made to your exact measurement. Every installation is done by our own teams. Every order is backed by our guarantee.
The two sections below walk through each process in detail. Read the one that applies to you, or read both if you are still deciding which route makes sense for your project.
For customers across South Africa
The Online Order Process
01
Browse and shortlist your blind
Visit shop.customblinds.co.za to explore roller blinds, honeycomb cellular blinds, aluminium venetian blinds, zebra day-night blinds, duo roller blinds, and our no-drill tension-mount range. Not sure which type suits your room? Use Melvin AI for instant guidance on product choice, light control, and privacy.
Tip: decide between inside mount and outside mount before you measure. It changes your dimensions.
02
Measure your window
Use a steel tape measure. Measure width and drop at three points each and take the smallest reading for an inside mount, or add your preferred overhang for an outside mount. Record in millimetres. Our full measuring guide covers standard window scenarios. Bay windows are handled through our Garden Route service only.
Not sure of your size? Order your best guesstimate. We take it from there:
AR measurement tool. Use the augmented reality tool on the shop to measure your window directly from your phone.
Complimentary tape measure. We ship you one at no charge.
Video call with Duncan. We confirm the correct size together before production begins. If the correct size is larger than your order, you pay the balance. If it is smaller, we refund the difference. Your blind then goes into production at the right size.
If the remade blind comes back at a lower price than your original order, we refund the difference immediately.
03
Select your fabric and options
The build-a-blind tool and blind visualiser guide you through every choice. Select fabric, choose hardware colour, set your control side, and watch the blind operate on screen. Colour and control side choices come at no extra cost. The only choices that affect pricing are automation on motorised roller blinds and the no-drill tension-mount option.
04
Place your order and pay securely
Checkout via the secure online store. We accept major credit and debit cards and EFT. Manufacturing begins immediately on payment confirmation.
Most orders: 7 to 14 working days from order to door.
05
We make your blind to measure
Every roller, cell, and slat is produced to your exact dimensions. We do not cut down stock blinds. Fabrics are sourced from Somfy, Hunter Douglas, and Coulisse.
06
Free delivery to your door
Your order is dispatched via The Courier Guy with a tracking number. Delivery is free to any address in South Africa.
07
Install, with our backup if you need it
Most customers install without assistance. If you run into anything, our team is on WhatsApp during business hours. Installation guides and video references are available on our site.
Garden Route customers: professional installation available as an add-on. Ask when you order.
Duncan Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings South Africa"Most of our national customers message us once, measure once, and never need to contact us again. The system works because we have done this 8,000 times. When something is unclear, we say so. We would rather ask the right question upfront than remake a blind."
At a glance
Online order vs Garden Route installation
| Feature | Online order | Garden Route install |
|---|---|---|
| Where available | Anywhere in South Africa | Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and surrounds |
| Products available | Roller, honeycomb, venetian, zebra, duo roller, no-drill | Full range including awnings, shutters, shadeports, outdoor blinds, security screens |
| Measuring | Self-measured (guide provided, WhatsApp support available) | Professionally measured on site by our team |
| Installation | DIY (installation guides available online, Garden Route fitting add-on available) | Fitted by our own installation teams |
| Delivery | Free nationwide, 7 to 14 working days | Installation date confirmed at quote stage |
| Pricing | Instant pricing via the build-a-blind tool. Colour and control choices at no extra cost. | Written quote after site visit |
| Guarantee | Custom Fit Guarantee on every order | Workmanship and product warranty |
Why the process matters as much as the product
A well-made blind on a badly measured window is still a failed installation. A well-chosen awning fabric on a bracket that cannot handle Garden Route wind gusts is a liability. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings was built around one idea: the product and the process are inseparable.
Since 2010, that approach has produced more than 8,000 installations across the Garden Route and thousands of online orders delivered across South Africa. The repeat customers, the referrals from interior designers and body corporates, and the reviews from guests at guesthouses where our blinds have been in service for years are the result of doing both parts right.
The online shop was built so that customers outside the Garden Route could access the same standard of product without needing a site visit. The shop product range was specifically chosen for its suitability to remote specification. Roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, venetian blinds, zebra blinds, and no-drill tension-mount blinds are consistently made to measure and reliably installed without a technician present. That is not true of every category. It is why awnings, shutters, and shadeports remain Garden Route installation products only.
Frequently asked questions about the Custom Blinds South Africa process
How long does an online order take from order to delivery?
Most online orders from Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings are manufactured and delivered within 7 to 14 working days from the date of payment. Lead times vary depending on fabric availability, order volume, and your location in South Africa. Orders dispatched via The Courier Guy include a tracking number sent by email once the parcel has been collected.
What happens if my blind arrives and it does not fit?
The Custom Blinds Custom Fit Guarantee covers every online order. If your blind arrives too wide, send it back and we ship the trimmed blind back to you at our cost. If it arrives too narrow, send it back and we remake it with a 5% discount, shipped back to you at our cost. Contact us on WhatsApp on 076 022 8410 or email sales@customblinds.co.za with your order number and photos.
Can I get professional installation if I ordered online?
Yes, for Garden Route addresses. If you order online and would prefer professional installation rather than fitting the blind yourself, contact us when you place your order and we will arrange for our team to fit it once your blind is delivered. This is available at an additional cost and is subject to our service area covering Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, and Sedgefield.
Which products require an in-person consultation?
Awnings, interior shutters, shadeports, outdoor blinds, and security screens all require a site visit before quoting. These products involve structural fixing, wind load assessment, and precise frame measurement that cannot be done remotely. Indoor roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, venetian blinds, zebra blinds, duo roller blinds, and no-drill tension-mount blinds are all available online with self-measuring guidance.
How do I measure for an online blind order?
Use a steel tape measure and record in millimetres. For an inside mount, measure the width and drop at three points each and use the smallest reading. For an outside mount, measure the opening and add your preferred overhang on each side for light block and privacy. Our full measuring guide covers inside and outside mount, and our team is on WhatsApp on 076 022 8410 to check your measurements before you order.
Does Custom Blinds remove old blinds during a Garden Route installation?
Yes. For in-person Garden Route installations, our teams can remove and dispose of existing blinds, curtain tracks, or old awning hardware on request. Mention this when you book your site visit so we can allow time in the schedule. Disposal is included at no extra charge for standard residential quantities.
How long does a Garden Route installation take from first contact to fitting?
From first contact to installation, the typical timeline for a Garden Route project is two to four weeks. This covers the initial consultation and site visit, measurement, quote approval, and manufacturing lead time. Simpler single-room orders can move faster. Large projects involving multiple products or motorisation systems may take longer. Lead times are confirmed in writing at the quote stage.
What areas does the Garden Route installation service cover?
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings installs across Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Brenton-on-Sea, Buffalo Bay, Rheenendal, and surrounding areas. For projects beyond the main Garden Route towns, contact us to confirm whether a site visit is feasible. The online shop is available to all customers across South Africa regardless of location.
Does Custom Blinds work with interior designers and architects?
Yes. Custom Blinds South Africa works with customers, interior designers, architects, and builders nationally and internationally. Plans and specifications are welcome - send them through and our team will provide expert advice and accurate pricing. Contact sales@customblinds.co.za or WhatsApp Duncan on 079 523 5407 to discuss trade pricing and project coordination.
Can I order no-drill blinds online without any tools or fixings?
Yes. No-drill tension-mount blinds (also called screw-free blinds) require no drilling, no screws, and no wall damage. They fit by tension pressure within the window recess and are removed just as easily. They are available for order on the Custom Blinds online shop and ship free anywhere in South Africa. They are particularly popular in rental properties and apartments where drilling is restricted.
Ready to start?
Custom Blinds South Africa: shop online with free nationwide delivery, or book a Garden Route consultation with Duncan and the team.
