Costs
Sweater reweaving cost in Toronto: what to ask before you pay
Sweater reweaving cost in Toronto runs about $25 to $120 per inch, with gauge, shop minimums and HST shaping the bill. Here is what to ask before you pay.
What to take away
- Toronto reweavers bill in CAD, usually per inch, with most sweater jobs between $25 and $120 per inch.
- A shop minimum, commonly $35 to $75, governs small holes, so a 3 mm moth hole can cost as much as a larger one.
- HST at 13 percent applies to repair services in Ontario and is usually added to the quoted figure.
- Three or more garments in one drop-off often cut the per-inch rate by an illustrative 10 to 20 percent.
- Ask whether the quote is per inch or flat, and whether the minimum applies, before the sweater leaves your hands.
What the figure covers
A reweaving quote covers more than minutes at the frame. It includes yarn drawn from a hem or seam allowance to match the original, the pressing that settles the repair, and the risk that the work shows in daylight. Knit repairs carry more risk of that than flat woven cloth.
Per-inch quoting suits knitwear because damage spreads across stitches, and the invisible mending entry describes why the technique is measured that way. Toronto totals usually exclude HST at 13 percent, so a $90 repair becomes $101.70. For the inputs behind a repair price, see costing sweater repair.
Line by line
| Item | Basis | Illustrative low (CAD) | Illustrative high (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invisible reweaving, fine-gauge knit | per inch | 45 | 120 |
| Reweaving, chunky hand-knit | per inch | 25 | 60 |
| Visible darning, matching yarn | per inch | 15 | 35 |
| Shop minimum charge | per garment | 35 | 75 |
| Three moth holes within 2 cm | flat | 60 | 180 |
| Elbow or cuff rebuild | flat | 90 | 250 |
| Seam or shoulder reknit | per seam | 40 | 110 |
| Pickup and return, Toronto core | per trip | 15 | 35 |
Gauge drives most of the spread. A fine merino at 8 stitches per centimetre takes far longer than a chunky wool at 3, and a per-inch quote can hide that until the invoice arrives. The visible route costs less, and the hand darning entry shows what that stitching involves.
What scale changes
Batch size moves the rate more than anything else a customer controls. A shop quoting $60 per inch on one garment will often quote $50 to $54 per inch on a drop-off of three, an illustrative reduction of 10 to 20 percent. At six garments the per-inch rate usually holds, but the minimum charge is often waived, which matters most on small holes.
Season shifts turnaround, not price. Moth damage surfaces in spring when sweaters come out of storage, so moth-control habits between seasons pay off. Toronto shops also fill from September through November.
What is easy to forget
Yarn matching is the hidden line. An original yarn may be discontinued, and a reweaver who blends two shades bills for the extra time. Moth damage often runs in a line, so one small hole becomes three on inspection. Cuffs and underarms carry more strain than flat panels.
Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, 2002 gives a 10 day cooling-off period on direct agreements signed at your home, and it requires itemized terms in writing. Ask for the estimate on paper. Ontario Small Claims Court handles claims up to $35,000.
Where the margin actually goes
Shop margin splits into labour hours, rent and the yarn library. A reweaver quoting $50 per inch keeps a modest share after downtown rent, insurance and the unpaid time spent hunting a match. That is why discounts come off volume rather than single small jobs.
Repairing rather than replacing keeps textiles in use, which is what federal guidance on sustainable consumption points to. Knits with no spare yarn, including many reclaimed wool and unlabeled knits, take longer to estimate and sit at the top of the range.
Questions that change the number
Ask what the unit is, what the minimum is, and whether tax is included.
- The measured unit: per inch, per hole or per seam.
- The minimum charge, which applies even to a 3 mm hole.
- Whether matching yarn comes from the sweater or from shop stock.
A counter quote is an estimate, not a contract, unless it is written down.
Example
A Toronto reader drops off a lambswool cardigan with four moth holes across the front panel, roughly three inches of damage. Quote A is $55 per inch, which lands at $165 plus $21.45 HST. Quote B is a flat $180 with tax included, cheaper by a little over $6.
Common questions
Why do Toronto shops quote sweater repair by the inch? Knit damage is irregular, so the inch gives both sides a measure they can check. It also protects the shop when a claimed small hole turns out to be a cluster.
Is a flat quote always cheaper? No. Flat quotes run higher on one small hole and lower on clusters. Compare on the same garment, with tax shown.
Does HST apply to clothing repair in Ontario? Yes. Repair services are taxable at 13 percent once a business is registered, which most are past $30,000 in revenue.
Should I do the small holes myself? For one or two, often yes, if you accept visible stitching. Firm knits behave differently from loose ones, and the comparison of hoop versus flat support covers which setup to use.
