Is this a one piece cornice that will be 9'+ long? The price sounds high but making something that long will cost more than the typical window cornice. Installation sounds about right since they will most likely send 2 guys to get something that large installed.

If you're a DIY person installation of a cornice isn't difficult, but for something that size you will be better off letting them take the responsibility.

Personally, I'd get other bids before committing. I often use the mobile window treatment guys and have been very happy with their work and prices.

Here in the Northeast, that is in the ballpark, maybe at the higher end of the ballpark but not way out of line. I agree about getting some other estimates if you can.

This sounds right to me for that kind of treatment; professional installation is always worth it, imo... if there is a problem, it's their problem.

Based on our experience, not unreasonable for custom work. We had four cornices made for four windows totalling 23 feet. The fabric is Kravet. They have a slight curve on the side, are padded, are welted on top and bottom, and finished with gimp on the never-seen underside. The total for everything was $2000. Good custom window work, like good upholstery, is pricey. But do get some other estimates.

I've done most of our windows with budget-friendly Country Curtains and DH's ability with a screwdriver. But where I've needed custom work, I've always had them install, for the reasons given by Mitchdesj. Their installation, their responsibility.

This is when you wish you were a DIY person, no?

This is when I wish I were a DIY person, Yes. : > )

I've just started two businesses since I'm tired of working for others that don't appreciate those that actually work for their pay. I do both wood working and sewing. Without knowing the cost of fabric, I have my clients purchase the fabric, I can't say for sure what I'd charge so let's just say the fabric (54 inches wide) costs $40.00 a yard plus the padding (44 inches wide) at $10.00 a yard and the cornice is eleven and a quarter inches high (the actual size of a 1x12) at the maximum and extends six inches from the wall. You'll need two a half yards of each. Totally $125.00. There will be scraps, possibly enough for a couple matching twenty inch pillows.

For the lumber I'd use 1"x12" white board purchasing four six foot lengths at $9.85 each and two six foot lengths at $6.45 each, totaling $32.60. I'd use tongue and groove to to attach the pieces to make the nine foot length along with Simpson ties on the back and under side of shelf top to add stability. Not sure of the costs on them so I'll guess $10.00. You'll need L brackets to attach the cornice to the wall. Again I'm not sure on the cost so we'll say $20.00. Plus a box of staples for attaching batting and fabric to cornice and two sizes of screws to attach the L brackets to the walls and cornice. Let's say $12.00.

Grand total for materials...$199.60. I'd probably charge at the most $200.00 labor. So yes, I think that price is way out of hand, but then I don't have any over head. I do my work out of my home.

Have you checked Craigslist under Creative Services or Skilled Trade Services for someone like me that works out of their home? Most give free estimates. You might find one heck of a carpenter that's out of work and needs the funds to support his family. You'll be helping him out and saving yourself money.

Make sure you see samples of their work first and see if they offer references. Not all will be able to do that if, like me, they're just starting out offering their talent, but most should have samples of their work to show you. I share pictures of my work on my CL ads.

For the work you are having done, you have been qoted a decent price. Don't forget the shop keeper has to make a profit too.

Thank you all for your responses, I really appreciate your expertise and advice. I just had no starting point at all regarding what a reasonable price would be, and your responses help a lot.

Justgotabeme, I especially appreciate the cost breakdown you provided.

annz & mitchdesj, thanks for the logic behind the installation cost. When she said $200 I couldn't fathom how it could possibly be that much, but you're right, two people, travel time, installation and their responsibility for any problems that may arise -- it seems more logical now.

Newdawn, I do wish I were handy, but my DIY skills only extend to IKEA furniture assembly and hanging pictures, lol.

Palimpsest, I am in Connecticut, so prices tend to be high in this area, I just wasn't prepared for them to be quite so high.

Sable, I love Country Curtains and have used them for everything else in my house.

I feel much more confident going forward with this project now that I have some good info, and I will be getting additional quotes. I've lived without window treatments in the family room since it was re-done last April, so a few more months won't matter if I can make a confident choice.

Thank you all again!!!

The prices really can be all over the place. I bought fabric at Calico Corners, about $5 per yard for my daughter's 48" cornice. They recommended someone and she charged $100 to make the cornice. We installed it ourselves. It was curvy, girlish and came out very nice.

In our family/living rooms I splurged with Robb and Stucky. This was 10 years ago and I paid around $1500 for 3 48" windows. This included the fabric (which I am sure was very expensive--they don't have anything cheap there!) and installation. Also, very nice.

You may want to try some independent fabric shops and they should be able to recommend a workroom that may cost less.

You're welcome Sheri.
I just thought of a foam product that used to sell in the fabric stores that was no sew and was attached to the wall over a continental rod I used in our last home so did a search. Though I didn't find it I found one you might be able to do yourself that's even neater than the one I had.
I didn't check the cost, but here's the links...
The Top Banana Cornice
Top Banana Cornice How-to video.
A similar product at Interior Mall.
This video is pretty much what I was explaining only larger and they used plywood.

Years ago when I owned my own custom drapery business, we charged $10-$12 for labor per foot for a simple, basic cornice. The cost of the fabric, batting, brackets, installation, etc. was extra. The reason for the backside is covered in a white or ivory colored fabric and finished with gimp so you see a neat, finished cornice from the outside as well as the inside. Nothing looks worse from the outside of a house than a bare board on a window treatment. Remember, you still need to have curb appeal!

I checked an online store and came across this price list:
Fabric Cornice Boards

$39 per foot - Unless Specified
Additional Charges
Special Design Boards add $14.00 per foot
Shirred or Pleated add $20.00 per foot
Color Cording (Each Row) add $4.00 per foot
Banding add $12.00 per foot
Over 96" add $2.00 per inch
$30 Packing Fee
These prices DO NOT include face fabric.

Some of the cornices shown were upwards of $200 per foot due to the ornate trim.

Hope this helps. I agree with everyone. Get other estimates. Check your local Sears or Penney's to see if they have a custom drapery shop. Have them come out to give you an estimate.

Good luck.

I live in an area of reasonable prices and your quotes sound very reasonable to me. I would expect the price for a single 9 foot cornice to be more pricey than two four and a half foot ones. All window treatments are costly, and the good ones are well worth for ease of use and longevity. If you tire of your fabric someday you can have the cornice structure reupholstered (and perhaps even recut into a different shape) at a huge savings over new.

My daughter recently had to pay $200 for a lock smith to pop her trunk for her. No way he "earned" $200, but he can charge that..and yes he has over head etc. but still he doubled the quote he gave and it was NO WORK!
If I were shopping for material for a cornice--that will get no wear and tear I would find something for way under $20 a yard--just sayin. What do we think of the Angie list commercial "Never be a DIYer again. Skilled labor is a dieing art. We made our own cornices, four picture windows three well over 9ft. Ours are maple, old cast off cove and fluted door trim. DH did all the work. Got the wood at a cabinet maker's "garage sale" didn't cost us $200. His installation is superb--yes needed another set of hands..so it does take two..but this is not difficult work to hang a straight line. Here is the upstairs cove/cornice decked out for Christmas. High School shop/Home Ec classes are WAY under-rated!!!

Here is the basement---fluted. He had to piece them to get them the width/height we preferred. My experience is shopping independents isn't that much cheaper--they know what the "professionals" get, they know they do just as good a job, so they charge pretty comparably. Going with independent, if you get a good one, you get a better job, and people more willing to work with your ideas, as a rule. They have much of the over head--tools, machines and they still need to support themselves. They tend to NEED the work and it all goes directly to them--not divided up among an entire store etc.

I guess the first thing before you commit to paying $133 per foot for the cornice is.......................

why do you want a window treatment that is dated in appearance and one that will visually lower the appearance of the room height if your ceilings are only 8' high?

That was probably similar in price to the custom cornices we had done from Robb and Stucky in 1999.

Several years ago I took them down, dated/old fashioned/not contemporary--and replaced them with panels that I bought from Bed Bath and Beyond.

I got the longer panels to make the window look taller and also wide rods, probably cost around $200.

This was so much nicer than the cornices.

I just noticed that this post has resurfaced four years later!

Thank you to everyone who has offered additional info and insight, I do appreciate it.

I wound up skipping the cornices completely. I realized, as beverly27 pointed out, the ceilings were really too low for them. Instead, I bought long panels (Pottery Barn was having a sale so my final cost was in the $300 range) and hung them a bit wider than the windows to let in maximum light. I'm very happy with it.