Motorised window treatments have the widest price range of any smart home category. A retrofit motor on blinds you already own costs less than a video doorbell. A made-to-measure Lutron shade costs more than an entire security system.
Both are legitimate purchases. The difference is worth understanding before you get a quote.
The three routes, priced
| Route | Per window | Installation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retrofit motor Motorises blinds you own | $70–$120 | DIY, 15 min | Renters, trying it out, existing good blinds |
| Ready-made motorised Standard sizes, e.g. IKEA | $130–$250 | DIY, 30 min | Standard windows, whole rooms on a budget |
| Made-to-measure Custom fabric and size | $300–$1,000+ | $100–$250 | Odd sizes, design-led rooms, permanent homes |
What drives the price on made-to-measure
Size. Wider and taller shades need stronger motors and heavier tubes. A window over about 8 feet wide moves into a different price bracket entirely.
Fabric. Basic polyester blackout is the cheapest. Designer weaves, natural fibres and solar-screen fabrics with specific openness factors cost considerably more.
Motor quality. This is the difference you notice daily. Cheap motors are audibly mechanical; premium motors are a soft whirr. In a bedroom on a sunrise schedule, that is not a small thing.
Power type. Rechargeable battery is cheapest. Hardwired costs more in both hardware and electrical work but never needs charging.
Control system. A basic Wi-Fi or Bluetooth shade is cheaper than one on a proprietary radio like Lutron’s — and less reliable, which is what you are paying for.
Whole-house budgets
| Scope | Retrofit | Ready-made | Made-to-measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bedroom (2 windows) | $140–$240 | $260–$500 | $800–$2,500 |
| Living area (4 windows) | $280–$480 | $520–$1,000 | $1,600–$5,000 |
| Whole house (12 windows) | $840–$1,440 | $1,560–$3,000 | $4,800–$15,000 |
Phasing works well here. Bedrooms first — that is where a sunrise schedule genuinely changes something — then hard-to-reach windows, then everything else if you still want to.
Where to spend and where to save
Spend on motor quality in bedrooms. You will hear it every morning. This is the single upgrade most worth paying for.
Spend on solar strips. Roughly $30–$60 per window and it converts a recurring recharging chore into a fit-and-forget install. On any window with reasonable daylight this pays for itself in convenience within a year.
Save on windows you walk past. Motorising a window you adjust by hand without thinking solves nothing.
Save on fabric in low-visibility rooms. A utility room or a spare bedroom does not need designer weave.
Do not save on measuring. Made-to-measure shades cannot be returned. If you are ordering more than two or three, have someone measure professionally — it is usually free as part of a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motorised blinds cost per window?
Roughly $70–$120 for a retrofit motor, $130–$250 for ready-made motorised blinds, and $300–$1,000+ for made-to-measure, plus $100–$250 installation.
Are motorised blinds worth the cost?
Most worthwhile in bedrooms, where a sunrise schedule changes how you wake, and on windows that are awkward to reach. Least worthwhile on windows you walk past and adjust by hand.
Can I motorise blinds I already own?
Often, yes — retrofit motors clip onto existing mechanisms for $70–$120 per window and are fully reversible, which makes them the only renter-friendly option.
Do motorised blinds need an electrician?
Not for battery or solar models. Hardwired shades need low-voltage cable or mains power at each window, which is electrician work.