Buying Guide · October 2026

Pre-Installation Checklist: How to Prep Your Home for Motorised Blinds and Curtains

Your blinds are ordered, the lead time has passed, and install day is coming. A little preparation turns a long, fiddly visit into a quick one. Here is a practical checklist for HDB flats and condos in Singapore, from clearing windows to getting your smart home ready for pairing.

Why Prep Matters More Than You Think

A motorised install is not just hanging fabric. The installer measures final positions, fixes brackets or ceiling tracks, connects power, pairs each motor to your app, and tests open and close limits. Anything that blocks a window, hides a socket or stops the Wi-Fi working can add a second visit. Most delays we see are simple: furniture in front of the window, no power point within reach, or a Wi-Fi password nobody can find.

Remember our fabric-based blinds take about 5-6 weeks from order to delivery (roughly 1-2 weeks fabrication plus shipping), so use that waiting time to prepare rather than leaving it to the morning of the install. Our guide on how long motorised blind installation takes explains the full timeline.

One Week Before: The Planning Checklist

1. Confirm your window list. Check that the windows, sizes and products on your order match what you actually want, including which rooms get blackout fabric and which get sheer. If you measured yourself, re-check against the final quote — see how to measure your windows for an accurate blinds quote.

2. Check power for every window. Hardwired motors use a UK plug, so each window needs a socket within reach of the motor cable, or a battery motor instead. Walk the room and note any window where the nearest socket is behind a wardrobe or too far away. If you are still renovating, read planning power points and cabling and speak to a licensed electrician about any new fixed sockets.

3. Decide your ecosystem. Choose Tuya/Smart Life or Aqara (HomeKit) per room, and avoid mixing without a plan. Our Tuya vs Aqara comparison helps you pick, and the battery vs hardwired motors guide covers the power choice.

4. Tell your building. Condos often require you to book the lift and notify management for works; some HDB estates have rules on work hours. Check your management office or town council notices so the team is not turned away at the lobby.

The Day Before: Window and Room Prep

Clear the window zone. Move sofas, beds, plants and clutter at least a metre from each window so the installer can reach the ceiling or frame. For curtain tracks, clear the ceiling or pelmet area above the window and remember the pelmet clearance we plan for: 10cm for a single track and 18cm for a double track.

Remove old window treatments. Take down existing curtains, rods, rollers and any sticky hooks if you can. Check the wall or ceiling for old screw holes that might affect where new brackets can bite.

Protect what you cannot move. Cover shelving, TVs and bed linen near the work area with sheets. Drilling creates fine dust, especially in older flats with plastered ceilings.

Secure pets and little ones. Ladders, tools and open doors are a hazard. Keep children and pets in another room, and see our child and pet safety guide for what to plan after install.

Smart Home Prep: Wi-Fi, Hub and Apps

Pairing is where good preparation really pays off. Before the visit, make sure you have: your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi name and password (Tuya motors do not use 5GHz), the Smart Life or Aqara Home app installed and signed in on your phone, and your Aqara hub plugged in near the windows it will serve if you are going the HomeKit route. If you plan to use Google Home, Alexa or Siri, have those accounts ready to link. See hub placement and range for tips on where to put the hub.

Install-Day Checklist at a Glance

What Happens On the Day

The team will confirm each window against your order, fix brackets or the ceiling track, mount the motor, connect power, then pair and test every unit. They will set the open and close limits, check the movement is smooth, and show you how to use the remote and app. Allow time for a short walkthrough at the end — it is the best moment to ask how to build a first scene, or how to group blinds by room.

If you are coordinating with a designer or contractor, our guide on working with your interior designer explains who handles what. And if you are new to the process, common mistakes when choosing blinds for a new BTO or condo lists the slip-ups to avoid.

After the Install: A Quick Sanity Check

Before the team leaves, open and close every blind from the app and from the remote. Check voice commands if you have linked an assistant, and note any room where the signal feels weak. Keep the remote somewhere sensible, and if you chose battery motors, set a calendar reminder to recharge in 3-6 months. Our cleaning and maintenance guide covers keeping everything running smoothly afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions