Alteration Services Near Me ✂️

Clothing alteration costs vary based on the complexity of the work, location, and garment type. This is a general U.S. price range:

Hemming pants or skirts: $10–$25
Taking in or letting out waist: $15–$40
Shortening sleeves: $15–$30
Zipper replacement: $20–$45
Suit jacket or dress tailoring: $40–$100+

High-end tailors or big cities may charge more. Simple fixes cost less; formalwear (like gowns or suits) tends to cost more due to precision and labor.

Here are the four main types of alterations our top-rated alteration experts offer:

Length Alterations
Whether you need pants hemmed, sleeves shortened, or a dress taken up, length alterations ensure your garments fall just right. Perfect for achieving a polished, custom-tailored look.

Size & Fit Alterations
Get your clothing tailored to your unique shape. We take in or let out waistlines, busts, hips, and more—so your outfits fit better, feel more comfortable, and flatter your figure.

Structural Alterations
Make bigger style or fit changes with structural alterations. This includes modifying shoulders, changing necklines, reshaping sleeves, or adjusting the overall silhouette of a garment.

Repair Alterations
Don’t toss it—fix it. We replace broken zippers, sew buttons, patch holes, and restore seams, giving new life to your favorite clothes.

Learn the 10 Essential Clothing Alterations here!

The cost to take a hem up typically ranges from:

$10–$20 for pants or casual skirts
$20–$40 for dresses or lined garments
$40–$80+ for formalwear like evening gowns or wedding dresses

Prices vary based on fabric type, lining, and local rates. Tailors may charge more for delicate materials or garments that require extra precision.

Yes, some alterations can be done in a day, especially simple ones like:

Hemming pants
Taking in a waistband
Shortening sleeves
Minor zipper or seam fixes

However, more complex alterations (like tailoring a suit, adjusting formalwear, or working with delicate fabrics) often require 2–7 days or more, depending on the tailor’s schedule and the work involved.

Many shops offer rush services for an extra fee—great if you’re in a hurry.

Alteration turnaround times depend on the complexity of the work and the tailor’s current workload. Here’s a general guide:

Simple Alterations: 1–3 days
(e.g., hemming, minor size adjustments, basic repairs)

Moderate Alterations: 3–7 days
(e.g., taking in dresses, resizing jackets, multiple adjustments)

Complex or Formalwear Alterations: 1–3 weeks
(e.g., wedding gowns, suits, detailed structural changes)

Need it faster? Many tailors offer same-day or rush services for an additional fee.

Hemming is one specific type of alteration—it refers to shortening the length of a garment by adjusting the hem (usually on pants, dresses, skirts, or sleeves).

Alterations is the broader term that covers any change made to a garment to improve its fit, style, or function. This includes hemming, taking in seams, resizing, repairing zippers, and more.

So: all hemming is an alteration, but not all alterations are hemming.

Get a deeper explanation here.

Yes — most alteration shops do fix holes, depending on the fabric and location of the damage.

Here’s how it breaks down:

Small holes or tears (in seams, shirts, pants) can usually be patched, stitched, or reinforced — often for $5–$25.

Larger or tricky holes (in delicate fabric, visible areas) may require special patching or reweaving, which costs more and isn’t always possible to make invisible.

Some shops list this under repair services rather than standard alterations, so it’s a good idea to ask.

The three main categories of tailors are:

Made-to-Measure Tailors
These tailors use standard patterns adjusted to your measurements. It’s faster and more affordable than full custom work, with a good balance of fit and price.

Bespoke Tailors
Bespoke tailors create completely custom garments from scratch based on your exact measurements and preferences. This is the most personalized—and often most expensive—tailoring service.

Alteration Tailors
These tailors specialize in modifying existing clothing—hemming, resizing, repairing, and adjusting fit. Most dry cleaners and local tailoring shops fall into this category.

Tipping a seamstress for a hem is not required, but it’s appreciated—especially if:

The service was fast or rushed

The quality was exceptional

The pricing was affordable

If you choose to tip, $5–$10 is a nice gesture for a simple hem. For larger or more complex alteration jobs, tipping 10–15% of the cost is common in the U.S.

Yes — it's best to wash clothes before alterations, and here’s why:

Shrinkage: Washing ensures any shrinking happens before the tailor makes adjustments, especially with cotton, denim, or linen.

Fit Accuracy: Clean clothes help the tailor measure and pin more accurately.

Hygiene: Tailors appreciate working with freshly laundered garments.

Exceptions: If the item is dry clean only or brand new, check with the tailor first—they may prefer to handle cleaning or steaming in-house.