How to Price Your Curtain Making Services

Pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a curtain making business. Charge too little and you'll burn out; charge too much and you'll lose clients to competitors. Here's a framework that works.

The Three Components of Pricing

Every curtain quote should include three components: materials, labor, and markup.

1. Material Costs

This includes fabric, lining, interlining, heading tape, hooks, curtain weights, and thread. Calculate these accurately -- don't estimate. A fabric calculator will give you exact meters needed, which you multiply by the per-meter cost.

2. Labor

Track how long different curtain types take you. A standard pencil pleat takes most makers 3-4 hours per pair. Pinch pleats take 5-6 hours. Multiply by your hourly rate. If you're unsure what hourly rate to charge, a good starting point is 2-3x the minimum wage in your area.

3. Markup

Add 15-30% markup on top of materials + labor. This covers your overhead: workspace, equipment, transport, insurance, marketing, and profit. Don't feel guilty about markup -- it's what makes your business sustainable.

The Quick Formula

Quote = (Material Cost + (Hours x Hourly Rate)) x Markup Multiplier

Example: $180 materials + (4 hours x $35/hr) = $320 x 1.25 markup = $400 per pair

When to Adjust

Charge more for: rush jobs, difficult fabrics (velvet, silk), pattern matching, installation, and consultations. Charge less for: repeat clients, bulk orders, and simple styles on easy fabrics.