Last updated: May 2026
These Terms and Conditions govern all transactions and projects undertaken by Saxon Commodities T/A Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings (referred to as “Custom Blinds” or “the Company”). By placing an order or accepting a quotation you agree to be bound by these terms. These terms comply with the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA).
This page covers two transaction types. Section A applies to orders placed through the online shop at shop.customblinds.co.za. Section B applies to consultation, supply, and installation projects booked directly with the Company.
SECTION A: ONLINE SHOP ORDERS
Applies to orders placed through shop.customblinds.co.za
A1. About Us
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is a registered South African business based in Knysna, Garden Route, operating since 2010. We sell and manufacture window blinds, shutters, awnings, shadeports, fly screens, and related products. Our online shop at shop.customblinds.co.za supplies custom-made window coverings nationwide. Our brochure site at customblinds.co.za provides information on our full product range and consultation services.
A2. Made-to-Order Products
All products sold through the online shop are manufactured to your specific measurements. Because products are custom-made to order, we cannot accept returns for change of mind. Please verify all measurements before placing your order. Our measuring guide provides step-by-step instructions.
A3. Dimensions as Final
Dimensions submitted through the online order form are deemed final upon order placement and payment. No amendments to dimensions will be accepted after this point. Where a Client submits incorrect dimensions, the product will be manufactured to those dimensions as ordered. If dimensions need to change after an order has been placed, the original order must be cancelled where possible and a new order placed at full cost. Where manufacturing has already commenced, cancellation is not possible and a new order will be required at the Client’s cost. The Company accepts no liability for products manufactured to Client-submitted dimensions that are subsequently found to be incorrect.
A4. Custom Fit Guarantee
We stand behind every online shop order with our Custom Fit Guarantee. If your blind arrives too large, return it to our Knysna depot and we will trim it to size and ship it back free of charge. If your blind arrives too small, return it to our Knysna depot and we will remake it with a 5% discount and ship it back free of charge. This guarantee applies exclusively to made-to-measure products ordered through the online shop at shop.customblinds.co.za. It does not apply to consultation and installation projects covered under Section B.
A5. Pricing and Payment
All prices are quoted in South African Rand and include VAT at the applicable rate. We accept payment by credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard) via Yoco and instant EFT via Ozow. Full payment is required before an order proceeds to manufacture. No order will be manufactured or dispatched until payment has been received and confirmed.
A6. Delivery
We deliver nationwide via courier. Standard delivery is free on orders above R1,500. Orders are typically dispatched within 7 to 12 working days of confirmed payment. Delivery times after dispatch are 2 to 3 working days for the Garden Route and Western Cape, and 3 to 5 working days for the rest of South Africa. Tracking information will be sent by SMS once your order ships. Delivery dates are estimates and the Company accepts no liability for courier delays beyond its control.
A7. Returns and Complaints
Complaints regarding online shop orders must be submitted in writing to accounts@customblinds.co.za within 7 days of delivery. Products must be returned in original, undamaged packaging. Where a valid manufacturing defect is confirmed on inspection, the Company will repair or replace the product at its discretion. The Company’s liability for any online shop order is limited to the value of that order.
A8. Cancellations
Orders may be cancelled within 24 hours of placement provided manufacturing has not commenced. Once manufacturing begins, orders cannot be cancelled as products are custom-made to your specifications. Contact accounts@customblinds.co.za for cancellation requests.
A9. Warranties
All products carry the manufacturer’s standard warranty. The Company liaises with manufacturers and importers on behalf of the Client in the event of a valid warranty claim. The Client’s invoice serves as the warranty record. Warranties do not cover normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or neglect, incorrect installation where installation was not performed by the Company, or modifications carried out by any party other than the Company or an authorised service agent. For motorised products, motor warranties require a valid Certificate of Compliance from an accredited electrician issued on the date of installation.
A10. Installation for Online Orders
Online shop products are supplied with brackets and fitting instructions for self-installation. Professional installation is available across the Garden Route from Mossel Bay to Nature’s Valley and must be arranged separately. For motorised products requiring electrical connection, all electrical work must be performed by an accredited electrician. Motor warranties require a valid Certificate of Compliance issued on the date of installation.
SECTION B: CONSULTATION, SUPPLY, AND INSTALLATION PROJECTS
Applies to awnings, shutters, outdoor blinds, shadeports, and all projects booked through direct consultation with the Company
B1. Quotations and Acceptance
Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. A binding agreement is formed when the Client pays the deposit specified on the quotation or provides written acceptance. Acceptance of the quotation constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions in full. The Company reserves the right to revise pricing after the validity period due to changes in material or supplier costs.
B2. Dimensions and Measurements
Dimensions recorded during the consultation process and confirmed in the written quotation are deemed final upon acceptance of the quotation. No amendments to dimensions will be accepted after quotation acceptance. Where a Client requires a change to recorded dimensions after acceptance, the original order must be cancelled where possible and a new quotation issued. Where manufacturing has already commenced, cancellation is not possible and the Client will be required to place a new order at full cost for the revised dimensions. The Company accepts no liability for products manufactured to Client-approved quoted dimensions that are subsequently found to be unsuitable. The Client acknowledges responsibility for verifying all measurements and specifications before accepting the quotation.
B3. Specification Changes
Where, following on-site assessment or by mutual agreement during the project, the product specification is changed, a revised lead time will apply from the date the new specification is agreed. Specification changes do not constitute a breach of the original agreement. Where a specification change results in a price adjustment, a Variation Order will be issued. All Variation Orders must be agreed in writing before work proceeds. Verbal agreements regarding changes are not binding on the Company.
B4. Payment Terms
Payment terms are as specified on the quotation. Standard terms for consultation and installation projects are as follows:
- 70% deposit to proceed with manufacture.
- 25% payable on completion of manufacture. Receipt of this payment is the contractual trigger for the Company to schedule the installation date. The Company is not obligated to commit to or hold an installation date until this payment is received.
- 5% due the day prior to installation.
Where the Client pays in full on order, a 5% discount applies as stated on the quotation. The Company reserves the right to vary payment terms on individual projects, in which case the terms stated on the quotation prevail. The Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at the prime lending rate plus 2% per annum from the date payment falls due.
Unless otherwise requested in writing, a tax invoice and statement of account will be issued on completion of the project. Clients requiring a tax invoice at deposit or progress payment stage should request this in writing at the time of payment.
B5. Ownership
Ownership of all Goods remains with the Company until payment is received in full. The Company reserves the right to recover Goods, including remotes, sensors, accessories, and all components forming part of the contracted scope, where full payment is not made.
B6. Delivery and Installation Dates
All delivery and installation dates are estimates. The Company will make reasonable efforts to meet agreed dates but accepts no liability for delays caused by factors beyond its reasonable control, including supplier lead times, stock availability, specification changes agreed during the project, weather conditions, or Force Majeure events.
B7. Site Readiness
The Client is responsible for ensuring the premises are ready for installation on the agreed date, including clear and unobstructed access to all installation areas and completed structural, plastering, painting, and finishing work in the relevant areas. Where installation cannot proceed due to site unreadiness, the Company reserves the right to charge a call-out fee and reschedule at the next available date.
B8. Electrical Requirements and Certificate of Compliance
All electrical connections for motorised products, including motors, wind sensors, sun sensors, and control systems, must be performed by an accredited electrician. A valid Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued on the same date as the electrical work is a condition of all motor warranties. The Client is responsible for arranging and funding the services of an accredited electrician. The Company’s installation team will connect motors and sensors to prepared electrical points but is not responsible for the electrical installation or for obtaining the COC. Motor warranties are void in the absence of a valid COC.
B9. Practical Completion
Where a project is completed in stages or where minor outstanding items remain at the time of primary installation, the project is at Practical Completion when the Goods are operational. Outstanding items such as sensors or accessories do not delay Practical Completion. Progress and final payments due at or before installation are not affected by outstanding minor items.
B10. Product Use and Operating Guidance
All products supplied by the Company are designed for use within the operating parameters specified by the manufacturer. Clients are advised to follow manufacturer guidelines for their specific product. General guidance applicable to all installed products is as follows.
Retractable systems, including folding arm awnings, roller outdoor blinds, and zip-guided systems, must be retracted when not in active use, in adverse weather conditions, and when the premises are unoccupied. Mechanical stress caused by operation beyond designed parameters, including over-extension, over-tensioning, or repeated operation against motor stops, is excluded from warranty and will be quoted as a repair at the Client’s cost.
Outdoor blinds, including zip-guided and track-guided systems, are designed for variable weather conditions within their specified wind and load ratings. In extreme weather conditions, outdoor blinds should be raised and secured. Damage caused by failure to raise outdoor blinds in extreme weather falls outside warranty.
Louvred awning systems are designed as weather-diverting structures. They redirect rainfall away from the covered area but are not waterproof and are not supplied or warranted as waterproof structures. The Client acknowledges this characteristic and accepts that water ingress during heavy or wind-driven rain is not a product defect.
All other installed products should be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines relevant to the installation environment. In coastal and high-exposure environments, more frequent inspection and maintenance is required. Damage resulting from inadequate maintenance, misuse, or operation outside manufacturer guidelines is excluded from warranty.
B11. Wind Sensors
Wind sensors, where quoted and installed, provide automatic retraction in response to wind movement exceeding a set threshold. Wind sensors are a supplementary safety feature and do not replace the Client’s obligation to retract retractable systems when conditions require. Wind sensors do not protect against damage caused by over-tensioning, operation beyond motor limits, or misuse during periods of occupancy.
B12. Rental and Multi-Occupancy Properties
Where Goods are installed at a property used for short-term rental, long-term rental, or any multi-occupancy purpose, the Client accepts sole responsibility for ensuring that all occupants are informed of the correct operating procedures for all installed Goods, including retraction requirements for retractable systems. The Company accepts no liability for damage caused by third-party occupants or guests operating Goods outside the designed parameters. The Client indemnifies the Company against any claims arising from such use.
B13. Warranties
The Company holds warranty agreements with manufacturers and importers as the contracted party and liaises directly with suppliers on behalf of the Client in the event of a warranty claim. The Client’s invoice serves as the warranty record. Standard warranty periods are as follows unless otherwise stated on the quotation:
- Somfy motors: 5-year warranty.
- Canvas and fabric: as per manufacturer specification, typically 5 years against manufacturing defects.
- Aluminium frames and components: as per manufacturer specification.
- Company-manufactured products: 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
Warranties do not cover normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or neglect, operation outside the designed parameters of the product, failure to retract retractable systems when required, damage caused by third-party occupants or guests, electrical damage where a valid COC was not obtained, or modifications carried out by any party other than the Company or an authorised service agent. Where a valid warranty claim is confirmed, the Company’s liability is limited to repair or replacement of the defective component at its discretion.
B14. Invoicing Entity
Where the Client requires invoices to be issued to a company or juristic entity, the full registered name and VAT registration number must be provided in writing before or at the time of deposit payment. The Company will issue all documentation to that entity for the duration of the project.
B15. Liability
The Company’s total liability for any claim arising from a consultation or installation project is limited to the total value of the project as stated on the accepted quotation. The Company is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental loss including loss of rental income, loss of profits, or loss of use. The Client indemnifies the Company against claims arising from defective installation caused by structural deficiencies at the premises.
B16. Photography
The Company reserves the right to photograph completed installations for use in its portfolio, marketing materials, and online presence. Where the Client objects, they must notify the Company in writing before installation commences.
SECTION C: GENERAL TERMS
Applies to all transactions
C1. Intellectual Property
Custom Blinds® is a registered trademark. All content on customblinds.co.za and shop.customblinds.co.za, including text, images, and design, is the property of Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings and may not be reproduced without written permission.
C2. Privacy
We collect personal information solely to process your order and provide our services. We do not sell or share your information with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
C3. Force Majeure
The Company is not liable for delays or non-performance caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, civil unrest, port disruptions, supplier insolvency, or national supply chain disruptions. The Company will notify the Client as soon as practicable and will resume performance as soon as the event allows.
C4. Dispute Resolution
The parties will attempt to resolve any dispute amicably and in good faith. Where a dispute cannot be resolved within 21 days of written notice, it may be referred to a mediator agreed between the parties, or to the jurisdiction of the Knysna Magistrate’s Court or the Western Cape High Court as appropriate to the value of the claim.
C5. Amendments
The Company reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The version in force at the time a quotation is accepted or an order is placed governs that transaction for its duration.
C6. Contact
For any questions about these terms contact us at accounts@customblinds.co.za or call 076 022 8410.
