What's a reasonable amount for custom made curtains?

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DH and I need curtains for a large bay window, total width 2.8m, height 1.5m. We found some fabric we like so I've asked a few curtain makers for quotes. Two have come back to me and quoted £500 and £700. This seems like a LOT of money! Admittedly it's quite expensive fabric (£31/metre in John Lewis but you can get it cheaper) and we'd like pinch pleats, which are labour/time intensive, I'm told. I don't know much about curtains really and would welcome advice as to whether this is a reasonable amount!

PS £500 and £730 actually, typed that wrong. (£730! For a pair of curtains!!)

I know little about curtains but a basic calculation of 2 x width = 5.6m x 1.5m = about 8.5msq. The material is going to cost a bit shy of £300, then you have lining, then labour costs.

I think £500 is probably a good quote really.

Thanks Juniper. One of the curtain makers said we need more fabric because it's a half drop repeat, so it could be more than £300... Maybe they have calculated differently, which would explain the big difference in price! Not sure I can calculate myself, may just go ask in John Lewis as they're so helpful!

Probably with the pleats you want its more material as well. I always underestimate stuff like this.

That actually sounds pretty reasonable for pinch pleats in fairly pricey fabric on a big bay window.

That sounds reasonable
The quote I got for ours from JL was gobsmacking.
Lounge - large bay & small side window (280mm drop), blackout lined - £1800
Bedroom - large double window & small side window (270mm drop), blackout lined - £1500
I ended up making them myself which has been a real effort but cost me a fraction of the money - just a lot of blood, sweat & tears instead.

Put the dimensions into an online quoted such as 247 curtains, for a 'floor' price. You'll also be able to optioneer and see how much different priced fabrics and pleat options change the price. I agree it's a huge amount for 1 pair of curtains, but that's why I have pencil pleat andfq£10 per metre fabric, or readymade!