How to hang curtains for a living

by Al
(United States)

I love your site and Idea. I am currently looking to start my own business but it seems like everyone is doing everything.

I have little to no money to invest in a business, but this sounds like something i can both afford and do. Please send information advising me of how to get started.

Sincerely, Al




Hi Al

Thanks for the compliment about my site. you are right that most people can do curtain fitting for themselves. Even make a living doing this as I do.

If you have no experience of this sort of thing before then I suggest you read some if not all the pages on my site to learn as much as possible.
Also do some web surfing for more info on curtain hanging and curtain fitting.

You will need some basic tools like a drill, tape measure, screws and wall plugs, Spirit level and a selection of screwdrivers. You will also need a cheap little vacuum cleaner. So when you drill your holes you can use the hose to catch the dust. so it does not fall onto that lovely cream carpet. You will need a car or a van. If not then someone who is willing to drive you around.

Then try some windows at home refit them also ask your family and neighbors if you could do a window for them. They should be willing if you say you will do it for nothing for the practice. This is the only way you will learn.
I learned a lot by looking at window treatments that other people had done that I liked.

Another good source of info is to take a look at window treatments and especially have a look underneath at the curtain hardware and the way it has been fitted. You can see some really to stuff in the lobby's of good hotels and restaurants.
Anywhere you are out and about. It's not rocket science but you will not get good at this job over night. It takes practice and perseverance like building any business no matter how small.

Then the next step would be to offer for a modest fee to fit curtain tracks and rods for your local DIY store. Not the really big outlets but your
local family type store. Often people buy tracks and rods from them and have no idea or inclination to do the fitting themselves. This is a good place to cut your teeth and get some real experience doing it for money.You will earn some money but the real reason your doing it is for the experience of fitting and hanging and as important learning how to deal with people (your customers).

If you can't find a local store to pass some of their customers onto you then put up some cards in store windows advertising your services. Saying you will do it for a modest amount of money. If a store or a customer should ask about your experience
I would not lie. But you don't need to tell them you have just started. Say you have some experience but are learning new things all the
time.

You will make lots of silly mistakes to start as I did but if you want to make it work then learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. It does get easier over time.

Once you have done your apprentaship you can approach custom made curtain retailers and interior designers for some real quality work. This is where you will be able to charge a decent amount for your service. You will be able to tell them by then that you have lots of experience.

It will start slow which is good if you need to learn as you go. You can do it to suit your self
evenings weekends whenever you have some time.

I have put some links to stuff you should start to learn before you set out.


How to hang curtains

How to How to measure for curtains

How to make pelmets

I am going to do a much more comprehensive book on this subject over the coming months. So if you interested keep an eye out.
By subscribing to my monthly newsletter.

Best wishes for the future.


Lee