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Last updated: 4 April 2024
How much do curtain makers earn
Curtain making is a highly skilled trade that’s in demand. Our guide to a curtain maker salary looks at all aspects of getting the job done.
This guide looks at a curtain maker salary for a range of work types. As well as pay rates for making curtains, we also look at rates for fitting a curtain track, fitting blinds and fitting curtain poles.
Curtain making and fitting takes time and patience. The same goes for fitting blinds. A curtain maker salary will vary according to the type of work required.
Often curtain making is part of broader property projects. It falls under the category of soft furnishings. For example, interior designers frequently rely on curtain making and blind fitting expertise.
What skills do curtain makers need?
Curtain maker skills are in fairly high demand for a number of reasons. First, almost every building with windows needs curtains or blinds. Second, tastes change and people move from properties.
Each time, there could be a need for a curtain maker and fitter. As well as new-build homes, many homeowners are opting for extensions rather than moving. This could require a curtain maker's skills to match the decor.
This creates further demand for the multiple skills of a curtain maker. Typical skills needed for curtain making include:
Creating colour themes and styles to match the property decor
Advising on different types of curtains and blinds that fit a client's requirements
Measuring fabrics and materials
Cutting fabrics and materials
Making pleats
Sewing shapes and hems
Sewing linings
Fitting weights at the bottom of curtains
Creating pocket for curtain rails
Ironing seams the curtains
Fitting hooks and other curtain attachments
Putting up curtain tracks and poles
Benefits of fitting curtains and blinds
As well as the obvious advantage of giving rooms privacy, other benefits of putting curtains or blinds on windows include:
Reducing daylight and glare coming in
Keeping out heat on hot days
Keeping in warmth on cold days
Making rooms more comfortable to use
Reducing drafts coming from windows
What is an average curtain fitter salary?
We've put together this table, based on UK national averages, to give you a rough idea of what you could expect to earn as someone who fits curtains.
| Level | Per hour | Per day | Per year | Business Costs* | Approximate Take Home Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | £5.28 | £42.24 | £9,272 | 0 | £9,139 |
| Newly Qualified | £9.50 | £76 | £16,682 | 0 | £14,837 |
| Employed | £10.42 | £83.36 | £21,674 | 0 | £18,232 |
| Sole Trader | £25 | £200 | £36,876 | £4,610 | £22,530 |
| Business Owner (ltd company) | £30.08 | £240.64 | £44,369 | £7,765 | £29,908 |
| *includes estimated costs for business expenses such as vehicle, tools, insurance, fuel etc | |||||
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||||
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What is an average curtain maker salary?
Rates vary according to the type of work involved. We’ve pulled together some average rates from UK data. Someone who makes curtains will not necessarily fit curtains, and vice versa. This is why there are different rates.
Please bear in mind that these are liable to change and will also depend on the experience of the tradesperson:
Per hour
A range of £10-£20 and an average of £10.21.
Per week
A range of £300-£600 and an average of £397.
Per month
Monthly earnings of £1,722.
Per year
The annual earnings are in the range of £20,000-£30,000. There are specific annual earnings figures of £20,666 and also of £24,359.
How much do other curtain making skills earn?
| Cost provided item | Cost+VAT (Lower range) | Cost+VAT (Higher range) | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit curtain track (per room) | £100 | £150 | £125 |
| Fit blinds | £60 | £115 | £87.50 |
| Fit curtain pole (per room) | £60 | £90 | £75 |
| Last updated: June 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
Fitting curtain tracks
Based on the rates listed above, here’s what tradespeople can earn across a range from low to high. The rates are based on fitting curtain track per room:
Lower range – £100 cost + VAT
Higher range – £150 cost + VAT
Average – £125 cost + VAT
Fitting blinds
It’s not just curtains that need specialist skills to make and install. Blinds are a common feature in offices. But they are also an increasingly popular choice in many homes.
Here are the average pay figures for fitting blinds, in a range from low to high:
Lower range – £60 cost + VAT
Higher range – £115 cost + VAT
Average – £87.50 cost + VAT
Fitting a curtain pole
A curtain isn’t much use without a pole to hang it on. Fitting curtain poles can be quite tricky depending on where windows are located.
A fitter also needs to know how to cope with different wall and ceiling materials to ensure a good fit.
These are the average pay rates to fit a curtain pole on a per-room basis. The range is from low to high:
Lower range – £60 cost + VAT
Higher range – £90 cost + VAT
Average – £75 cost + VAT
Learning curtain making skills
Often, the skills of a curtain maker are passed down from one expert to another. You can also go on courses to learn the craft or brush up on your existing skills.
The National Design Academy offers training on making hand-finished curtains. This includes a Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings and Curtain Making.
The Curtain Academy runs courses on professional soft furnishing and curtain making. This includes three and five-day options.
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