How Much Does It Cost To Alter A Suit? [2025]

How much does it cost to alter a suit in Australia if I just need minor adjustments or a full tailoring job?

In Australia, simple suit alterations like hemming pants or adjusting sleeves typically cost between $20 and $50, while the average cost of suit alterations ranges from $60 to $100. For a full suit alteration, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300, depending on the complexity of the work and your location.

Price Range For Each Part

Each part of a suit has its own alteration requirements, and so they have different alteration prices. Prices for each part of a suit are:

Alteration cost for Pants

Depending on how much work you put in and where you go, hemming pants can usually be done for $10 to $50. This modification is really simple to handle, as it can be explained by the low price range.

Waistband adjustment cost

The waistband adjustment cost is between $10 and $45 if it is too big or too small. The sleeves with lining will cost more than those without lining.

Suit jackets

Depending upon the type of jacket, its cost ranges between $40 to $100 if you want to shorten a sleeve.

Taking in a suit jacket or vest

The cost for alteration of sleeves is $20 to $40, and the cost of shoulder adjustment ranges from $75 to $150. The cost of sewing a button onto your suit jacket is between $1 to $30. Zip or button replacement cost is around $10 to $25.

Cost for sleeves shortening

Depending upon the type of shirt sleeves, shortening of sleeves can cost between $10 to $50. If you want to alter the sleeves of the jacket then its cost increases.

Replacing the collar of a shirt

If the collar of the suit shirt seems dingy, then replace the whole shirt; you can replace the collar only. The average cost of replacing the collar is between $30 to $50.

The Average Cost of Alteration of Different Parts Of The Suit

1. Suit Pants:

• Blind Hem: $10 to $25.


• Taper Hip to Floor: $25 to $50.


• Hip to Knee: $15 to $55.


• Take-in waist and seat: $20 to $35.


• Knee to Floor: $20 to $45.


• Mend crotch: $40 to $60.


• New zipper: $20 to $35.


• Button: $3 to $10.


• New half pocket: $20 for each pocket.

2. Suit Jacket:

• Shorten sleeves: $35 to $50.


• Take-in sleeves: $45 to $65.


• Side seams: $50 to $70.


• Side seams into shoulders: $100 to $140.


• Side seams into armholes: $60 to $80.


• Shorten sleeves with vents and button holes: $45 to $80.


• Centre back seam: $30 to $60.


• Side seam: $60 to $90.


• Narrow shoulder: $100 to $120.

Why Is Alteration Beneficial?

There are many benefits of altering a suit, as it can make or break the success of your delicate suit. You look great in it when it fits you perfectly, as this is the most important thing when anyone notices when you wear a suit. From several benefits, some are given below:

One of the biggest advantages of altering a suit is that you do not have to spend too much money on it, and it adjusts according to your size.

For most people, the most important thing is to figure out which fit is the most economical, as they do not have much money to spend. This can be possible through correct tailoring, and you will get an ideal fit at an economical price.

In addition, you will get a lot of deals and offers, so you can grab that opportunity and save your money.

Factors Affecting The Prices Of Alterations And Tailoring Of Clothes

You can indeed save your money by alterations, but there are a lot of things or factors that affect the suit alterations and the cost of tailoring. These are as follows:

• Location: This is a very important factor, as if you live in a high-end area with a higher cost of living, you can anticipate a more expensive tailor and vice versa.


• Type of garment or fabric: Some fabrics used for making a suit are not costly, while some are more costly or more challenging to work with. In this way, the type of fabric will affect the cost of alteration.


• The experience of the tailor: A more experienced suit tailor will charge more, and vice versa.


• Change the intricacy of the work: Depending upon how difficult the work is to complete, the cost of any adjustment, from straightforward button repairs to complete remakes. So, the cost of altering a suit will depend on how intricate the changes are.


• Type of stitch: There are various sewing techniques based on the style of the suit. Machine work is less expensive than hand sewing, as hand sewing may require more time, money, and effort, and so it is more expensive.

In addition, if you're wondering about the general expenses associated with dress alterations, you can check out this insightful guide on Dress Alterations Cost.