If you are thinking about new shutters, the first question is nearly always the same: how much will they cost? It is a fair question, and the honest answer is “it depends”. But that does not help much when you are trying to plan a budget.
This guide gives you real numbers. We explain how shutters cost is worked out, show example prices for common Kent windows and point out the things that push the price up or down. By the end, you should know roughly what to expect before anyone visits your home.
The Short Answer: What Most Kent Homeowners Pay
Most homeowners in Kent pay between £200 and £400 per square metre for made-to-measure plantation shutters, fitted.
Painted MDF sits at the lower end of that range. Solid hardwood sits at the top. Waterproof ABS, which is made for bathrooms and kitchens, usually falls somewhere in the middle.
That price includes the survey, making the shutters to your exact sizes and fitting them. There are no hidden extras for measuring.
Example Prices for Common Kent Windows
Because shutters are priced by size, it helps to see what that means for real windows. The table below uses the £200 to £400 per square metre range. Your own quote may be a little different once your windows have been measured.
| Window type | Typical size | Area | Rough price range (fitted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small landing or toilet window | 0.6m x 0.9m | 0.54m² | £110 to £220 |
| Standard bedroom window | 1.2m x 1.2m | 1.44m² | £290 to £580 |
| Living room window | 1.8m x 1.4m | 2.52m² | £500 to £1,000 |
| Three-sided bay window | 3.0m x 1.5m (total) | 4.5m² | £900 to £1,800 |
| Patio doors (tracked shutters) | 2.4m x 2.1m | 5.04m² | £1,000 to £2,000 |
These are guide prices only. Bay windows and patio doors often cost a little more because of the extra frames, angles and tracks involved.
Most Victorian and Edwardian terraces in towns like Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham have a bay at the front. That is often the window people choose to start with, so it is worth setting aside a bit more for it.
What Changes the Price?
Two windows that are the same size can still cost different amounts. Here are the main reasons why.
1. The material you choose
Material is the biggest single factor in shutters cost. There are three main choices:
- Hardwood: The most premium option. It is strong, light and looks beautiful in living rooms, bedrooms and period homes.
- MDF: A cheaper painted option. It works well in dry rooms and gives a smooth, clean finish.
- ABS: A waterproof material that will not swell, warp or rot. It is the best choice for bathrooms, kitchens and other damp rooms.
If you are unsure which is right for each room, our guide to wood, MDF and vinyl shutters explains the pros and cons in more detail.
2. The style of shutter
Full-height shutters cover the whole window in one panel and are the simplest to make. Tier-on-tier shutters have separate top and bottom panels, so they need more parts and cost more. Café-style shutters only cover the bottom half, so they often cost less because there is less to make.
3. The shape of the window
A plain rectangle is the easiest and cheapest shape to fit. Arched, angled or round windows need custom-shaped panels, which take longer to make and cost more.
4. Louvre size and extras
Louvres are the slats you tilt to let light in. They come in 47mm, 63mm, 76mm and 89mm sizes. Bigger louvres give a more modern look and a clearer view out.
Extras can also add to the price. These include hidden tilt rods (so there is no bar down the middle), custom paint colours matched to your walls and special hinges.
Why Cheap Shutters Can Cost More in the Long Run
You will see some very low prices online, especially for “DIY” or ready-made shutters. They can look like a bargain, but there are a few things to watch out for:
- Poor fit: Ready-made shutters are built to standard sizes. Most Kent homes, especially older ones, do not have perfectly square windows. Gaps let in light and draughts.
- Fitting costs: If you cannot fit them yourself, you will need to pay someone, which closes the price gap quickly.
- Short life: Cheaper materials can bend, crack or fade within a few years.
Made-to-measure shutters are built for your exact window, so they fit properly and should last for many years. Well-fitted shutters can also cut heat loss through your windows by up to 52%, which may help a little with heating bills in winter.
How to Get a Fair Price
The best way to know your true shutters cost is to get a written quote after a proper survey. Citizens Advice suggests you get quotes from at least three traders and ask for a fixed quote rather than a rough estimate. That way you can compare like for like.
When you compare quotes, check that each one includes:
- The material and louvre size
- Fitting and any frames needed
- How long the warranty lasts
- How long you will wait for the shutters to arrive
What You Get With The VIP Shutter Co
We are a family-run business based in Rochester, covering the whole of Kent. Here is what is included when you choose us:
- Free home survey: It usually takes just 10 to 20 minutes.
- Same-day quote: We email your written quote on the day of your visit.
- Carpenter-led fitting: Barry, our founder, has over 25 years of carpentry experience and fits every job himself. We never use subcontractors.
- Quick installation: Most homes are done in a single day, with around two to four hours per shutter window.
- Strong warranties: A five-year product warranty and a two-year fitting warranty.
Most orders take six to eight weeks from survey to fitting. Custom shapes and unusual colours can take a little longer. You can see exactly what happens on the day in our guide to the shutter fitting process.
Final Thoughts
For most Kent homes, you can expect to pay between £200 and £400 per square metre for fitted plantation shutters. A single bedroom window might cost a few hundred pounds, while a large bay or set of patio doors could run to £1,000 or more.
The material, style and shape of your windows will make the biggest difference. The only way to get an exact figure is to have your windows measured.
If you would like to know your real shutter cost, call us on 01634 943153 or email info@thevipshutterco.co.uk to book your free home survey.
