Tailoring and alterations: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering tailoring and alterations

Customers bring in garments that almost fit and want them to fit well. Your fitting process, your photos of past work and a clear quote for each change are what win repeat customers.

What customers ask

  • Can you take in this jacket without ruining the lining?
  • How long will the hem take, and when can I pick it up?
  • Will the alteration show from the outside?
  • Can you change the sleeves and the waist on the same item?
  • Do you use the original stitching and finishing?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what garment it is, what fit problem the customer has and when they need it back.
  • Show photos of past alterations on similar garments, with the customer's permission, including the inside seams.
  • Check the garment and the fabric before quoting, and say clearly what the garment can and cannot take.
  • Ask the customer to bring the shoes or the undergarments they will wear, and schedule a fitting.
  • Put each change, the fitting plan and the pick-up date in the quote so the customer knows what they are paying for.
  • Save the original seam allowance where you can, and say so on the ticket.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of alterations from the front and the inside, shown with consent
  • A list of your alteration services, such as hems, takes-in, sleeve changes, zipper replacement and relining
  • The fabrics and garment types you work on most
  • Your fitting process and how many fittings are included
  • Your local business license details, where they apply to your shop

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a reminder for the customer's next alteration, such as a seasonal hem or a wedding fitting
  • Suggest a garment care note for the fabric and fit, with washing and storage steps
  • Offer a check-in for the customer after the first wear, in case the fit needs a small change

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for tailoring or alterations, but rules differ by state and city. Keep your business registration, any local business license your city requires, and proof of your training or work history on your profile.

Questions

Do I need a state license to do alterations?

A license is often not required for alterations, but rules differ by state and city. Check your local city or county rules for business licensing, and keep your registration current.

How do I handle a garment I cannot alter?

Explain the limit clearly before you start, such as the seam allowance or the fabric. Offer an option that fits the customer's goal, and record the decision on the ticket.

Should I offer a fitting policy?

A written fitting policy helps customers know when they will come back and what you will do if the fit is not right. Put the number of fittings and the fix terms in the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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