Business ideasServices
Start an alterations business.
Clothes that fit get worn. You sew. Your team builds the bookings and brings the work to your door.
- Where
- From home
- Sells
- To people nearby
- Busiest
- Wedding season and September
- You do
- Do the alterations
- Your team
- Website, bookings, posts, reviews, email
Why it works
People want to keep clothes longer but most can’t sew: over half of UK adults plan to repair things this year, and a lack of skills is the main thing stopping them. Local searches for alterations bring steady work.
What you need to start
- A sewing machine
- Pins, chalk and tape
- A mirror for fittings
- Garment bags
- A price list
- A drop-off time
Write a ticket for every garment so nothing gets mixed up.
Who does what
You
- Set your prices and hours
- Do the fittings
- Sew and hand back
- Decide in your Review
Your team
- Name, logo and look
- The website and bookings
- Posts and reviews
- Emails and reminders
A sample launch plan
- Day 1You send one line about your alterations.
- Week 1You pick a name and a look from three.
- Week 2Bookings open for your first fittings.
- Week 4Your first Review: what sold, and what to try next.
Things to watch
Rush jobs.Charge more for same-week work.
Precious garments.Agree what you can and can’t alter before you start.
Your one line could be
Change it to your own words. That is all your team needs to begin.