When to Call an Expert: Signs Your Blinds Need Professional Attention

We’ve been in the blinds business for decades which means we’re all too familiar with New Zealand’s DIY attitude. As Kiwis, we pride ourselves on taking matters into our own hands and finding innovative solutions. However, as tempting as it may be to whip out the toolbox and tutorial videos, some issues are best left to the experts. In this blog, we'll help you identify common problems with your blinds that signal it's time to seek professional help. 

 

Issues That Require Professional Attention

Maintaining your blinds not only keeps your home looking stylish but also ensures they function properly. Here are some common issues that often require professional attention:

 

Damaged Slats and Fabric Tears

Damaged blinds don't just look bad; they can also mess with your privacy and light control. Similarly, tears in the fabric can make your blinds appear shabby and neglected. Professional repair or replacement is often the best solution, ensuring your blinds look good and work perfectly. This is because experts can match the material and colour exactly, restoring your blinds to their original charm.

 

Malfunctioning Mechanisms

Few things are as irritating as blinds that won't budge or hang unevenly. Problems like stuck blinds, faulty lift cords, and broken tilt mechanisms can make your blinds a headache to deal with. These issues usually need a professional’s expertise to fix without causing further damage. Professionals have the right tools and know-how to get your blinds moving smoothly again, saving you frustration and ensuring they stay balanced.

 

Significant Staining or Discolouration 

Blinds naturally attract dust, dirt, and sunlight, leading to stubborn stains and discolouration that regular cleaning can't fix. These blemishes can make your blinds look old and tired. Now, we aren’t going to pretend that every stain needs a professional service. In fact, there are plenty of ways to maintain and clean your blinds at home. However, when it comes to particularly stubborn stains, professional cleaning services are a great option as they use special techniques and products to achieve outstanding results. 

 

Cord Safety Concerns 

Damaged or tangled cords are more than just an eyesore—they're a safety hazard that’s often overlooked. Frayed or tangled cords can lead to accidents and injuries especially if you have kids or pets. A professional evaluation can spot these risks and suggest safer alternatives, like cordless blinds or models with built-in safety features. 

 

The Benefits of Professional Help 

Not convinced that it’s worth investing in professional services? Here are a few of the benefits you can expect when you book with us: 

  1. Expertise and Experience: Professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table. They can quickly diagnose and fix issues that might leave you scratching your head. With our extensive experience in blind repairs, we know the best methods and practices to restore your blinds to perfect working order.
  2. Quality Repairs and Parts: One of the significant benefits of hiring a professional is the assurance of high-quality repairs and parts. Professionals use top-notch materials and tools, ensuring that any repairs are durable and reliable. This means you won’t have to worry about recurring issues or quick fixes that only provide temporary solutions.
  3. Time and Convenience: Dealing with blind repairs can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you’re not sure what you’re doing. By hiring a professional, you save valuable time and avoid the hassle of trying to fix complex problems yourself. Professionals handle the repairs efficiently, allowing you to focus on other important tasks or simply relax.
  4. Enhanced Longevity: Regular professional maintenance can significantly extend the life of your blinds. Experts not only fix current issues but also perform preventative maintenance that can help avoid future problems. This proactive approach ensures your blinds remain functional and attractive for years to come, providing better value in the long run.

 

When to DIY vs When to Call a Professional 

While some blind issues are best left to the experts, there are minor problems that homeowners can easily handle themselves. Here’s a brief guide to help you determine when to DIY and when to call in a professional.

 

When to DIY

Dusting and Cleaning: Regular dusting can keep your blinds looking fresh. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster designed for blinds to remove dust and debris. For deeper cleaning, you can use a mild soap solution and a soft cloth to wipe down the slats or fabric.

Minor Adjustments: If your blinds are slightly uneven, you can often fix this by adjusting the cords or the tilt mechanism. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you don’t damage the blinds.

Replacing Small Parts: Some small parts, like end caps or cord tassels, are easy to replace and can be done without professional help. These parts are usually available at home improvement stores or online.

 

When to Call in a Professional

Complex Blind Repairs: If your blinds won't raise or lower properly it's likely a sign of a more complex mechanism issue. Problems like broken lift cords, malfunctioning tilt mechanisms, or jammed roller mechanisms often require specialised tools and expertise to fix. A professional can ensure these repairs are done correctly without causing further damage.

Motorised Blinds Issues: For motorised or automated blinds, any malfunctioning motors or electronic controls should be handled by a professional. These systems are complex and attempting to repair them without proper knowledge can lead to further damage or voided warranties. Professionals can accurately diagnose and repair these systems, ensuring smooth operation.

Blind Replacements: If you’re installing new blinds, especially custom or complex designs, professional installation is recommended. Incorrect installation can lead to improper functioning and potential damage. Professionals have the expertise to ensure your new blinds are installed correctly and securely.

 

Conclusion 

Your blinds are more than just window coverings—they're an essential part of your home's decor and functionality. While it's tempting to tackle every problem with a DIY spirit, some issues truly benefit from professional expertise.  At Total Look Blinds, we've been proudly serving New Zealanders for decades, combining our deep industry knowledge with the Kiwi knack for innovative solutions. We understand when a simple fix isn't enough and are here to provide top-quality repairs and maintenance. Reach out today for a professional assessment and discover how our expert repair and maintenance services can keep your blinds in top condition.

Top Quality Custom Blinds and Shutters

Total Look Blinds has the best and most experienced people in the industry with a combined experience of greater than 180 years within the industry. If we can’t help you nobody can. We offer free help and advice when you ask us to meet with you.
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What Our Customers Say

Excellent
4.8
Bhavika n Divesh Kumar
We used Total Look Blinds in 2005 for our family home. After 19 years of wear and tear we needed some parts and couple of vertical blinds track needed fixing. Took a drive to Takanini and was greeted by the office lady Jo who was very helpful and was amazed when she pulled out our 19 years old invoice from their record. The team manage to fix the track within a day and got the parts i needed at a fair price. Highly recommend them if you want quality products and a fantastic after sales service. Great company to deal with 😊
Anwar Sadat
Excellent piece of work and commitment from the team to get the blinds delivered and installed on time.
Sally Clegg
First class service, products and support from Total Look Blinds. We have asked these guys to come three times as we add more blinds to our home. They look so good and work brilliantly. Really pleased!
David Lim
Vertical and horizontal blinds completed on time. Reliable and great people to deal. Over the years, I have engaged the services of Total Look Blinds a few times and I have always been pleased with the results. I would do it again in the future with any hesitation. Highly recommended.
Nerissa Attewell
Excellent service, quick turnaround the whole team were informative and helpful! We love our blinds so much :)
Trudi Stevenson
Total Look blinds were an outstanding company to work with. They installed both shutters and blinds in our home at competitive prices and using high quality materials. Timing and installation were faultless. We are thrilled with the service and the result.
Lia Wongsohardjo
I love my roller blinds from Total Look Blinds, the products are great. They have excellent customer service, the sales, the admin and the installer are amazing. I have bought from them twice for my house in Oteha and now in Orewa where I moved recently. Terry is very expert, kind and helpful, he is a talented salesman.
Peter McLeod
I enquired about a blind repair. Response was quick and friendly and when I took the blind into the factory to get it fixed, it was done immediately, with a smile and finished within 10min. Very impressive and much appreciated
Heather
Excellant product. Very efficient service. Pleasure to do business with. Would recommend Total Look Blinds to everyone.
Shirley Wensor
Highly recommend Total Look Blinds. Thanks to Carolyn for your extra understanding. Excellent installer also.
James B
Lovely blinds with professional service.
Sincere thanks to Laren for your helpful advice and Carl for excellent installation…..much appreciated
Vaughan Ludlam
Excellent product, pricing and service from Total Look Blinds – thanks David, Lauren, Carl & the rest of the team.
Tina Smith
Have used Total Look Blinds for a number of years and always outstanding service. Jo had my blind repair turned around in less than 3 hours. Highly recommend them.
Brooke Maber
Really impressed with Total Look Blinds, Terry was great to deal with and very knowledgeable with some great advice when selecting blinds. Great communication from Jo. Since having them installed we have decided on a few tweaks and add ons which they made very easy for us. I recommend you to everyone! Thank you.
Lanice McMillan
Thank you for your awesome service and flexibility to get quotes on very short notice. Love the roller blinds
Jim Richardson
Total blinds were Totally Professional. Excellent service from measurements to advice given through to the final fitting and the blinds look great! The price was also very reasonable and far better than competitor's. I totally recommended Total Blinds. Thanks! Jim
K R
TLB was recommended by a friend in Auckland who had used them twice. I had blinds installed at my new house in Raglan, excellent quality, service and communication. Highly recommended.
Stephen Ball
Very happy with result, beautiful appearance. High quality, efficient and effective at a good price.
Erin Corkhill
From Terry's measurements, to Brent's installation it couldn't have been a friendlier or smoother process. The shutters are stunning and I get stopped on the street by neighbours who compliment us on them. Total Look Blinds is a decision you won't regret.
Peter Glass
Great service from quote to install. Deliver on their promises. Multiple repeat customer. Excellent team to deal with.
dantay10
Great service from start to finish. Terry measured up and gave us lots of different options. Brent was prompt and thorough. I absolutely love the colour choice we made and hubby is super excited about the remote controlled blinds. Very happy customers here.
Niall Robertson
Excellent service quality product from this company who consistently delivers a great personal experience to its customers.
Comes highly recommended. Thank you Team!
Lisa Fong
Could not be happier with my new shutters - big shout out to Total Look Blinds who did a fantastic job with the measure, manufacture and installation! All done in NZ so would highly recommend!
Robyn Adams
Carolyn outstanding. Installers did a fantastic job. I am a many repeat customer and have been impressed and always happy with the outstanding level of service. Thank you. Neil Adams
Eve O-R
A five star company to deal with, accurate, quick, professional and reasonably priced. Definitely will return. Highly recommended!
Grant McFlinn
From first contact with Sales Consultant Lauren to Jo in the office and installer Carl, the entire process was nothing short of exceptional. As for the blinds themselves, thanks to Lauren's invaluable input, they look amazing and are undoubtedly high quality. Thoroughly recommend and will most definitely use again.
Melissa Slater
Awesome consultation gave really good ideas and pointers. Quick to manufacture and install. End result is beautiful.
Heidi Reid
Great service and wonderful blinds, thanks
Jo in the office was helpful and available Roger was superb with his installation and communication thanks
Kambiz Radman
Could not be happier with my new sun screens and blinds, look awesome. The material seems nice and hopefully durable (I'll update you on that later).
"Terry" is a positive Rep who speaks clearly. He measured well but didn't explain some installation details, which confused me afterward. However, "Carolyn" came to the site and explained everything very well. Roger is a professional installer who did a quick and clean job. Thanks "Jo" for admin updates and following up. 101% recommended.
Jayne Steele
Loving my new retro fit motorised blinds, thought would not be worth the $$ in spare room, WRONG do it once do it right , motorised other rooms, should have done it in the first place, no cords ease of use , fabulous
WYNN RIECHELMANN
Absolutely love our TotalBlinds shutters! They have transformed our bedroom. Service from measure up and quote was excellent and communication with the TotalBlinds team was a pleasure! They took half the time than was quoted by another supplier and although they were a bit cheaper, the shutters are very good quality. Plus they are NZ made! Highly recommend!
Arishma Lata
Highly recommend Total Look Blinds. The whole team makes it so easy for you from start till finish without any hiccups. Their neat and 5star work is what you looking for. Thank you guys. Appreciate your great job in making my house look so gorgeous. ❤️❤️❤️
Vicki Landon
Cannot fault Caroline and the team from Total Look Blinds. Very professional and accommodating. Friendly people from the measuring, advice on product and installation. We have used them in several houses and will continue to do so. Highly recommend Total Look Blinds.
JOSEPHINE TOK
Awesome Terry & friendly office staff. Great products, prices & prompt delivery. This is the 3rd time using them. 15 years on, still have our records intact. Deservingly an Ace Company:)
Ant MacLean
Had an old vertical blind that was manufactured by them, that was broken. Excellent cheery and quick repair service and great value too.

Support kiwi jobs stay local. If you buy something NZ made you can get spares.
Louise Kennedy
Total Look Blinds were absolutely amazing to deal with. From prompt and clear communication through to an excellent and earlier than expected fit, I could not be happier. Thank you for such a stress free, professional experience. Will recommend your company far and wide!
Alisha Dodds
This is the second time we have used total look blinds and they are amazing! So simple to get a quote, easy ordering process and arrived much sooner than we thought! The installer was super lovely and I will be getting my blinds through this company again!
John Trotman
We had Total Look Blinds install blinds in our House they were very professional and efficient,from when Terry first measured and Quoted until the blinds were installed,would recommend them for all your blinds and curtains you may need,Thanks again for a great service.
Parvaneh Karimi Fishani
We had double roller blinds installed in our new house. The price was much more reasonable compared to other shops, and their service was reasonably fast. The staff were friendly and helpful!

I can't say much about the quality of the material since the blinds haven't been installed for long, but we hope they will be as good as the service we received!
Reema Prasad
Total blinds highly recommended good service excellent job very happy using them from 10yrs .
Katie Duffy
Have used this service for my own home and a rental. Quick efficient professional service. Highly Recommend
Kerry Watt
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