Your curtains are fitted: take a few minutes to try them

Walk through each room with the agreed details

Have the quotation and saved sample codes ready, and work through one window at a time. This is especially useful when several rooms use similar colours. Check the following with the fitter:

• The agreed number of sets and layers in each room.
• The correct material code, colour and heading.
• The agreed panel arrangement, operating side and fitting position.

Open and close each one yourself

Ask the fitter to show you, then operate each set from fully open to closed. Does the fabric brush the floor, catch on a handle or snag against a cupboard? Do the panels travel and meet smoothly? For blinds, try raising, lowering and adjusting the light as appropriate to that system.

If something catches, stop and ask the fitter to check it. Pulling harder will not help identify the problem, and you have someone there who can make the adjustment.

Look from where you normally use the room

Step back to a normal viewing distance to look at the folds, seams, edges and joins. Close the curtains and check the light gaps and where the panels meet. Look from the sofa or bed as well as beside the window.

If fitting finishes after dark, note that a daylight check is still needed. You cannot fully assess daytime light control before seeing it in those conditions.

Keep the instructions and a support contact

Before finishing, ask about removal for care, cleaning the specific material and who to contact for support. For corded or chained systems, ask the fitter to check that the safety retaining device is correctly fitted and explain its use.

For any remaining adjustments, record the window name, take a photo and agree when the work will be done. Keep a copy on both sides so you know what is complete and what still has a follow-up arranged.