Berkeley Shade offers an amazing array of products. Dave is terrific at working with you on options and the installer does a great job. The prices are very competitive. Hope we all support this Downtown Berkeley business. read more

My second purchase from Berkeley Shade Company. This time sun shades for office and kitchen. David was super helpful explaining options, listening and offering advice. We're delighted with the result. Measuring and installing was timely, professional and surprisingly fast in both cases. Prices seem quite reasonable. Cannot think of any reason why one wouldn't shop here. read more

I was concerned based on some negative reviews here but we had no problems. Installation went great and the blinds look great as well.

We purchased some sun shades and honeycomb shades at Berkeley Shade Company. David was great to work with. He walked us thru our options and guided us in our selections. We had had an old set of vertical blinds collapse on us and the gentleman David sent out to measure helped us put them back up. The installer, Maurice, was great to work with. Had everything up in no time at all. Over all was a great experience. read more

This shop on University Ave in Berkeley has the worst customer service. I had the unfortunate experience of having to deal with the store clerk David. He is unhelpful, unprofessional, degrading and rude. I had bought shades at this store many years back and unfortunately decided to use them again. When speaking to the owner and explaining my experience, he stated that David needed this job and he was aware of his very poor encounters with customers. I suggested that he give David some retraining that would help him improve. I then had a magnet break off the blinds and the owner came over to check out the shades. He stated he would order me new magnets. That never happened, so I recently called again and he has now stated he will send them. All in all, I am very unhappy with Berkeley Shades and suggest that other options are considered when buying shades. read more

Purchasing three shades from Berkeley shade has been a very unsatisfying and chaotic experience. The shades were measured incorrectly by Berkeley shade so the wrong size shade was ordered. They needed to be taken back and a new one ordered. That took many weeks and it was a total of almost 9 weeks between originally paying for the shades and having them correctly installed. I feel I was given poor advice about how the shades would work in my windows and the way they are opened and closed do not work where they are in the room. This was a very expensive mistake. Communication with the owner was awful. I feel like I had to beg to get what I paid for. I would look elsewhere. read more

Just don't expect timely delivery. Same shades are available on Amazon, much cheaper.

Initially told blinds would take 2 weeks... they took 5 weeks. I checked in every few weeks and they were very slow to get back. Always pushing back time. Product came after I moved so was no good to me. I communicated my needs, and they fell short completely. Would not allow cancellation or a refund. Even when I told them specifically why I needed my product by the set time. They said no problem. What a waste of time and money. Not honest, and not good customer service. read more

I have invested a lot of my resources in purchasing shades from this local business for good portions of my house. After doing so, I brought a small problem with a recent purchase of shades to the attention of the owner and he literally went off on me. yelling and agitated, for quite a while. I was completely perplexed as to what triggered him. I was also disturbed and distressed about my phone conversation. In the future, I will go elsewhere to address the needs of my home as I am afraid of how the owner might handles problems when and if they come up. read more

The blinds I bought from Berkeley Shade Company 12 years ago are still going strong! Amazing. I realized this the other day so I felt compelled to share. My beautiful sky blue blinds are still the same color as the day I bought them, no sun damage, no fading. read more

I've ordered blinds from these guys 3 times in the past and looked up the phone number to ask a question before ordering a 4th time. I was so surprised by the reviews. I've had nothing but excellent service from them. They have always taken their time showing the gazillion different options even though I was always just placing a small order. BTW, this time I am ordering a new set to replace a cheap set I bought online. I think these online places are selling garbage. It doesn't pay to go cheap here. Maybe there is a difference of going in there with the dimensions and ordering what you want versus having them come out. I don't know. It's puzzling. I would ignore the reviews and just check it out. Parking can be a little tough. You can park in the back (metered) and walk through the laundromat. read more

This company was awesome! Honest sales, excellent measuring and selection service who kept us from making mistakes we might have made. Polite, civilised, courteous and the products were available when we were told they would be. The installer was also fabulous. Excellent work and it looks even better than expected!!! We will use this company again. ! read more

Wow if unprofessional service and poor quality is what you want, go to this place. Had shades installed in my kitchen and living room and it was a horrible experience. The guy who runs the shop is the most uncommunicative "professional" and the installer didn't use any equipment to make sure the shades were centered. He jus played it by eye and we had to tell him it didn't look symmetrical. His answer? "Oh yeah..." I'm just glad that ordeal is over with but yeah, this business acts like it doesn't need more business. read more

I received a quote for 4 large custom plantation shutters from Susan Draperies in Emeryville, $4,800. Wait time to install over 2 months. I then got an estimate from Berkeley Shade. The shutters were delivered and installed within 6 weeks, beautiful, perfect, $2,800 installed, and $2,000 less than Susan's quote ! The service and Dave's professionalism were impeccable. Check them out for any window covering or shutters ! read more

Berkeley Shade did me right! We just moved into a bungalow and there were way more windows than I thought I could cover on my own...at least not good-looking. I called Berkeley Shade, they sent someone to come out, measure, and show me samples, a really nice guy that offered just the right about of guidance, but not pressure. I got the bid and yes, it was about what I was afraid it would be, but I went with and I'm glad I did. The installer just left a couple of hours ago and now I have a more safe and secure home without compromising the natural lighting. It truly is beautiful. read more

Berkeley Shade is one of those businesses that distinguishes itself. Good products, good work, efficient, responsive, and ETHICAL. They measured and installed good shades, and when something wasn't exactly as I wanted it, they replaced the whole shade at no cost to me. How good -- and rare -- is that?! read more

Product is fine in the end but it is *endlessly* aggravating to deal with this guy. Store doesn't open on time and randomly closes Saturdays (because nobody who works a normal job needs window coverings? No idea. ) Had to come back several times for a single blind for a bathroom window. In summary: Expensive for what it is, but mostly just aggravating. read more

Our company needed shade installations and skylight shade installed for our projector room in our office. We had an additional company recommended which was offering us their service at a crazy high price, then I found these guys and the price was significantly lower for the same product and service. Everything looks wonderful and the installation went smoothly. The only issue that I did have was the installation guy "Robert" who was significantly late without notice. Waited over 40 minutes for him to show up. But, at the end of the day, the installation was perfectly done in a very timely manner. Would recommend them and their fair prices. read more

Dave, the proprietor, is extremely professional and pleasant. I purchased up/down pleated shades from this shop about 4 years ago. Since then, the cord on one of the shades happened to break twice and both times, Dave arranged for a quick turnaround and free, warrantied repair. He takes pride in providing excellent service and the prices are competitive with online custom shade services that I had evaluated before making this purchase. read more

I am happy to highly recommend Berkeley Shade Company. I purchased a shade for my office several years ago. Last year I needed a shade for my dining room - one that I could easily handle with my physical disability. David Ingber recommended a motorized shade--the perfect solution. I was quite impressed with the installation and the always reliable customer service. read more

I just had a blackout shade installed by Berkeley Shade and my experience was quite mixed. I brought in pictures of my window with existing wooden shutters and Dave reassured me that the blind I selected would fit without having to remove the shutters. The person he sent out to take measurements said the same thing. However, when the installer arrived to install the blind it became clear that the shutters would need to be removed as the blind was too thick. The installer removed the shutter, but then positioned the blind too close to the wall so that it "catches" on the window frame every time I raise and lower it. In addition, the blind is scraping the paint off the wall on either side every time I move it. I'd like the blind repositioned but given my experience with Berkeley Shade, I'm hesitant do any further business with them. read more

I purchased Composite Plantation Shutters for my Living Room and Family Room in Berkeley. They are absolutely beautiful and of high quality construction. Everyone I've worked with - from my first phone call to Dave, to Robert who measured my windows, to the installers, were highly professional and did a beautiful job. I was so pleased that I have placed an order for them to do all the window coverings for 3 apartment turnovers I am working on. Once they are installed I will write and additional review as these will be 2 different products I am testing on rental properties. read more

I've used Berkeley Shade twice now to replace all of the shades in my house. Their service is outstanding, from the initial phone conversations, to measuring, to installation. Dave (at the shop), Robert (measured windows), and Marcel (installation) are all top notch guys. I trust them, their advice, and their customer service is excellent. I felt totally comfortable with them in my home, and had nice conversations with them. They've been around a long time, and the employees have worked there for years. I felt very good about their pricing, and supporting a local business. Of note - we had a miscommunication on the color of one shade. Without even asking, Berkeley Shade replaced the shade at no cost to me. Well done! read more

HIGHLY recommend! Just purchased new Hunter Douglas duettes and top treatments for our dining room and bedroom. Robert is outstanding. He is creative, extremely patient, and knows what works. He ended up coming back a few times and found me just the perfect fabric. VERY respectful of my home and my time. A doll to work with. I ended up having four window treatment companies come over to give suggestions and present a bid. Berkeley Shade had very competitive prices AND far more fabric choices than anyone else. Their prices on duettes were less than Costco and Robert is far more knowledgeable! I will recommend them to all who are in the market and will never have anyone else do my window treatments. read more

It took an email and two voicemails to Berkeley Shade before someone called me back to set up an appointment for a consultation. The day of the meeting the person called me 40 minutes after they were scheduled to arrive completely frazzled, complaining about not having enough time with, and between clients. I was told they would arrive shortly. An hour later I got a call about dealing with another customer and asked if I would be at the house all afternoon. Yes, I would be as I was busy doing some work around the house and just waiting for them to come measure for new blinds. They NEVER showed up and never called me to reschedule. Hardly the way to run a business. read more

I purchased wood shutters for my Living Room ,Dinning Room, Kitchen & upper Bathroom from Berkeley Shade Co. (2004) When it was time to install window treatment in the bedrooms and my second bathroom, I contacted Berkeley Shade (2007) because they were prompt and delivered/installed on time and did a good job installing . I could not find any fault in their installation ( I am very picky!!). Now in 2011 this is my third time installing window treatment from them so I can finish up my remaining windows (Husband's Dungeon Room). It is so far and between when you can find a company that you can trust to keep going back to. David and Maurce are great to work with. read more

My experience with Berkeley Shades was, fast, professional, and friendly. From the very first phone call all of my questions were answered, and I was even given suggestions to better suite my needs. I have nothing but great things to say about Berkeley Shades. All of the windows in my home now have custom shades that look ****beautiful****. Thank you all so much!!!!!! read more

An honorable establishment. Worth working with these folks.

I made a point to go with Berkeley Shade because I like to support local businesses. Unfortunately, the experience has been one of the most negative I have had with any company in a long time. They are incredibly unprofessional-- Two separate subcontractors showed up to do a job 15 feet off the ground without the ladder required to do the job. Each time the job had to be rescheduled for a week later. It's been 6 weeks now (the initial quote was 1 week) and I am still waiting for the job to be completed. I keep having to call and follow up to try and get these guys to finish their job, and everyone is full of excuses: the salesperson blames the owner, the owner blames the subcontractors, the subcontractors blame each other. And everyone tells me the delay is not their fault. Please do not use the services of Berkeley shade unless you are extremely fond of confrontation and you have a lot of time on your hands. read more

This is a HORRIBLE company. I have gone here twice (not sure why). First, they took a couple of weeks to get a simple window shade job done. The second time they cut my shades too short ( I gave them accurate measurements) and would not refund or exchange my money. The ONE shade that I thought did fit, broke after 3 weeks of use. DO NOT GO HERE read more

Our experience with Berkeley Shade was excellent from start to finish. David was very courteous and provided several options for our difficult-to-fit, arched windows, and his contractors who came out to measure and to install were helpful and efficient. Greg was the installer and he did a fantastic and quick job. Couldn't be happier. Thanks! read more

Well, it was a pretty good price, I thought, for Hunter-Douglas. As another reviewer mentioned, I chose Berkeley Shade because I wanted to support a local business, plus the salesman said my existing blinds could be repaired. Yay! but when I took them in he said, no...they're too dirty. Would have been nice if he'd told me prior to shlepping them down there... So, OK, I ordered two new blinds, placed a deposit. He said someone would come to measure for free--that took another two weeks. At that point, I decided to replace all four. The invoice was for substantially more (per piece.) The salesman told me he made a mistake on the previous order... In for a penny, in for a pound, OK. And by the way, they're not Hunter Douglas. Oh? But at least the cordless feature was free! Oops, measurer forgot to note that the cordless header wouldn't fit in my windows. So they protrude beyond the front of the window. (As a caveat emptor, I'll add that the cordless feature on Duette-type blinds is a terrible piece of engineering. I assumed it would have a spring or inertial reel, like a roll up shade, but these are held by magnets, with all the elegance of a fifth grade science project.) The plan now is to ignore them as much as possible, and replace when I can afford to. But certainly not from Berkeley Shade. read more

I won't do business with Berkeley Shade again. Their products are not accurately measured nor well made, the installation is crude, and most of all the store manager is a bully. read more

I would not be surprised to see this business go under in the near future. From the moment we walked into this shop, we were greeted with nothing but contempt. We are in the market for wooden blinds and figured this should be one of the best places to go in the area. Unfortunately, our smarmy server (Robert?) didn't even come out from behind the counter to help us. We had to keep running up to him with questions. Mind you, besides the two of us, the store was empty and he was not on the phone. When it came time to ask for sample swatches to take home, he tried to keep us from taking everything we wanted to take (six whole sample swatches), suggesting these were his only books/samples. How does this person expect to make money when treating people like this? We aren't some kids with nothing better to do. Ridiculous. If I am going to pay thousands of dollars for new blinds, I better get whatever I need in order to make my decisions. It's not as if he doesn't hold a credit card as hostage in case you don't return his sample books. Unbelievable. He summed us up in one glance and to this day does not even know who or what we are. He should be ashamed. read more

I had a good experience with Berkeley Shade Company. I was prepared to spend a good chunk of money, because I wanted to be sure to get a quality product that met my needs. David, the manager in the store, was patient in answering my questions, giving thoughtful answers (I knew what I need the blinds to do, but knew nothing about the products out there). In particular, he suggested that I buy an item that happened to be lower-priced, when he realized that the higher-priced item had a headrail that would protrude too much for my window. Robert came to measure, was easy to schedule and talk to. Maurice came to install the blinds (be prepared that installation is a window of time, not a specific time. But Maurice arrived in our agreed timeframe). All were pleasant to work with. I am very happy with my purchase, which cost $473, including tax and installation: two Century honeycomb, black-out blinds for my living room, with top-down and bottom-up feature. I sleep on my futon in the living room, and these blinds really block out the light; the living room is dark in the middle of the day if I want it to be. During the day, the top-down, bottom-up feature gives me privacy while still letting in lots of light. And in the winter, the honeycomb feature traps heat (my place gets cold). They are expensive, but that is because they are custom-made. A friend said that I can get these kinds of things way cheaper on-line, but it was important to me to actually see and touch the product, and I wanted someone besides myself to be responsible for the measuring and installation (and who would refund me in case there was a mistake). read more

I recently purchased shades for our dining room at Berkeley Shade. I found David, the manager, to be quite professional and helpful. He was open to discussing price e.g. cash price vs credit card and the product arrived as expected. I would recommend Berkeley Shade to my friends. read more

I am surprised there is only one complaint lodged against this business. I had three shades installed in my home and within 5 days, two were malfunctioning. When I complained I was told that "This ALWAYS happens, and that I shouldn't jump to conclusions"! Needless to say, this did not inspire confidence in the reliability of the product they sold me, nor of their business ethics. The conclusion to this folderol has yet to be played out.... read more

'See you at Alcatraz' is what this donkey said to me. why? 10 years ago i purchased black out shades from dave. i'm doing some home improvement and wanted new ones. went back there (because it was close by) and i bought some new black out shades. come the weekend, i have a migraine. i close the shades and NO black out!!!! i called up dave and asked if he still had my old shades. he did. i drove down to get them. got them. told him i was too ill to discuss. i got home, hung them. my old shades worked. a week later i went back to his store. i have photos that show my room bright (!) with no black out. i took photos of my old shades. dark. i show him, and he's incredibly argumentative. why would i even waste my time if that weren't true? i asked for a refund. he was so pissed. kept saying it was the same product. i WAS going to apply the refund to a completely different shade. but when he said 'i'll see you in alcatraz' -- like i was a criminal. how incredibly unpleasant. ugh. read more

Frustrating dealing with Berkeley Shade Company. Gave them exact shade measurements. They told me that they were taking off an 1/8 inch on each side. I didn't understand why but said "ok." Took them home and of course they were not wide enough. Merchant said it was my fault and he wouldn't refund my money. Afterwards he said I should have measured from the window, not from the shade. Brought in the old shade as the model and he said he still couldn't use that shade to cut from. The customer is always wrong. read more

A few years ago I had 3 rooms of our home done with shades. We had always had draperies . Because of the great customer service we just had our 4th room done. They were very fast in making an appointment, courteous and cleaned up after installation. We love our shades and especially how well they match the trim color of each room. They have a wide range of colors and textures to choose from. The insulated shades really help keep the room warm in winter. read more