Common Alterations and Repairs and Their Costs
CLOTHING CARE TIPS
Lost buttons. Stuck zippers. Split seams. These are just some of the common annoyances that can occur in your wardrobe, not to mention hems that need to be raised up or let down or seams that need to be taken in or let out.
If you’re like many people, you probably have a growing “to sew” pile of clothes somewhere in your house. What if you aren’t that great with a needle and thread, or you just haven’t had the time to break out your sewing machine lately? Is there a better way to get these repairs done?
Dry Cleaning, Repairs, and Alterations
You may not realize that many dry-cleaning services, including Tide Cleaners, offer repair and alterations services as well as cleaning services. When you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. You have to get clothes dry-cleaned anyway, so why not drop off the clothing that needs to be repaired in the same place?
How Much Do Alterations Cost?
How much you’re going to pay for alterations depends on what the alteration is, where you’re located, and other factors as well. Some alterations can be very inexpensive. For instance, it can cost less than a dollar to replace a lost button, and only a few dollars to move a button. Others can be pricier; taking in a jacket with two or three seams can cost $40-$50 or more.
In some cases, you may find that you’ll save money on repairs and alterations if you choose to go with a dry-cleaning service rather than a standalone tailoring service. Not only may the prices be lower, but you’ll also save on transportation expenses and time by turning two errands into one, or even by using a service that offers pick-up and drop-off services, like Tide Cleaners.
What Are the Most Common Alterations or Repairs?
It may surprise you to learn that the most common requests for alterations and repairs aren’t from damage to the clothing, like repairing holes or fixing zippers. Instead, the more common requests are alterations to make clothing fit better, like hemming or waist or shoulder adjustments.
In one survey, respondents listed their 10 most common alterations as:
Having pants hemmed
Having the waist adjusted on pants
Having sleeves hemmed on blazers
Having skirts hemmed
Having darts or seams on a dress adjusted
Having a skirt hemmed
Having a dress hemmed
Having darts adjusted on a blazer
Having darts adjusted on a blouse
Having pants leg width adjusted
All of these common alterations can be handled by a dry-cleaning alterations service like Tide Cleaners.