Two quotes can both say “roller blinds” and cover quite different work. One may include measurement and installation. Another may assume you will fit the blinds yourself. Even the number of shades can differ when a wide window needs a split arrangement.
Before choosing between totals, compare the same window list, fabric, controls and installation scope. Then decide which differences are worth paying for. The aim is a quote you understand well enough to approve without guessing.
Start with a room-by-room window list
Give each supplier the same list. Simple labels such as “living room left,” “bedroom one” and “patio door” are more useful than an overall window count.
Ask the quote to distinguish openings from individual shades. One wide opening might be covered by one shade or divided into two, depending on the dimensions, system and way you want to use it. A patio assembly may also include fixed glass beside the moving door.
A different shade count does not automatically mean one supplier has made a mistake. Ask each to show the proposed layout. You should be able to connect every quoted item to a window in your home.
Approximate dimensions and photos help with an initial estimate. Confirm who takes the final measurements and whether the price is still subject to that visit.
Name the fabric, not just the colour
“White roller blind” leaves a lot undecided. Ask for the fabric collection and colour, along with its light-control description. Keep a sample or record its reference so the finished order can be checked against your choice.
For a bedroom, be clear about the result you want. Blackout fabric blocks light through the material; it does not by itself promise a completely dark room. Mounting and gaps around the covering affect the result. For a living room, ask about evening privacy as well as daytime light.
If you are deciding between styles, our zebra-versus-roller comparison can help you settle the product choice before comparing quotes. Avoid comparing an upgraded fabric in one quote with an unspecified standard fabric in another.
Check what “motorized” includes
The lift method belongs on the quote: manual control, a suitable cordless option or motorized operation. Where controls are manual, confirm the proposed installation details and suitability for the window.
For motorized blinds, ask which windows are motorized, how they are powered, and which controls and accessories are included. A remote, a charging cable and a smart-home hub are different items. Don’t assume the word “motorized” includes every one of them.
Basic remote operation does not need a Wi-Fi hub. If you want app or voice control, ask for the compatible motor-and-hub combination to be specified. Novo’s motorization guide explains the options to discuss.
The visible hardware matters too. Confirm whether the top of the shade is exposed or covered by a cassette, and which finish is included. A quote should describe the appearance you have chosen, not leave it to an assumption made from a display photo.
Put the two quotes beside this checklist
Use the same questions for both suppliers. A short, clear answer is more useful than several pages of broad sales promises.
| Check | What you want confirmed |
|---|---|
| Windows and quantities | Which openings are covered, how many shades, and any proposed splits. |
| Fabric and finish | Product, fabric reference, colour, opacity and visible hardware finish. |
| Controls | Lift method for each shade; included remotes, power accessories and any hub. |
| Measurement | Who measures, when dimensions become final, and what the estimate still assumes. |
| Installation | Whether it is included, the mounting approach, and any unusual access requirements. |
| Removal and making good | Whether old coverings are removed or disposed of, and whether old holes are repaired. |
| Total and options | Applicable taxes, delivery or installation charges, and optional upgrades shown clearly. |
| Timing and payment | Quote validity, deposit and balance terms, plus the production and installation schedule. |
| Warranty and service | Written coverage, exclusions, who to contact and how a service visit is handled. |
An exclusion is not automatically a reason to reject a quote. It is something to account for. If one supplier includes removal of the old blinds and the other does not, make that difference visible before comparing totals.
A simple example: the patio window
Imagine a living room with fixed glass beside a sliding balcony door. One proposal shows a single wide roller. The other shows two independently operated shades.
Even with the same fabric, those are different proposals. The single shade may suit someone who rarely uses the door. Separate shades may make daily access more convenient, if the layout and hardware allow it. The question to resolve is which arrangement you want, then what each supplier charges for that arrangement.
This is an illustrative comparison, not a recommendation for every patio door. Handle clearance, mounting space, size and system limits need to be checked in the actual opening.
Spend on the differences you will notice
If the total is above your budget, ask for alternatives against the same window list. You might compare two fabric collections, prioritize motorization on the hard-to-reach windows, or price a practical installation phase separately.
Keep bedroom privacy, safe operation and usable doors in the brief. Those are part of the reason you are buying the blinds. Decorative upgrades can be considered once the essentials are clear.
A higher price needs an explanation of what is different. A lower price needs the same scrutiny. Once the scope matches, consider the finish, service arrangements and written terms alongside the number at the bottom.
Bring Novo the brief you want priced
Tell us which rooms you are covering, what bothers you about the current light or privacy, and whether you want installation. Photos and approximate dimensions help us start; final measurements and configuration confirm the order.
Novo offers a free initial in-home consultation within our Edmonton-area and Metro Vancouver service areas. We can compare samples at your windows and prepare a written quote for the agreed scope.
Request your consultation. For local service details, see our Edmonton and Metro Vancouver service pages.