Most damage to a good bag looks worse than it is. Rubbed corners, faded colour and darkened handles are the ordinary marks of use, and nearly all of them can be put right by a skilled craftsman. The question is rarely whether it can be fixed. It is whether the repair is worth what it costs. Here is what bag repair and leather restoration in Singapore involve, what they cost, and when we will tell you to leave a bag as it is.
What can be repaired on a leather bag?
Scuffed corners and edges
The most common job we see. Corners lose their colour first, then the edges of flaps and straps. Colour restoration rebuilds the finish so the corner matches the rest of the bag. Cracked or peeling edge paint is stripped back and resealed.
Faded, patchy or transferred colour
Sun, sweat, hand cream and denim all move colour. Colour restoration evens it out again, matched to the original shade. You can also change the colour of a bag entirely — a new finish rather than a touch-up — which suits a piece in a colour you have simply stopped wearing.
Handles and straps
Handles darken, crack at the fold and lift at the stitching. They can be cleaned and reconditioned, restitched, or replaced entirely. Strap loops and small strap repairs are at the simple end of the scale.
Linings and interiors
Torn, stained or sticky linings can be replaced. The bag has to be taken apart to do it properly, so it is one of the more involved jobs.
Leather, piping and trim
Where leather has worn through, or piping has split along a seam, the damaged section can be replaced with new leather — including the pale natural trim on many canvas bags.
Hardware, sealing and waterproofing
Worn plating on clasps, feet and rings can be replated. Edges can be sealed and waxed, and leather waterproofed, alongside any of the work above.
Wallets and designer shoes
The same work applies to small leather goods and to designer shoes: repairs, colour restoration and colour changes. If you are looking for shoe repair in Singapore for a designer pair — scuffed toes, faded colour, a colour you want changed — send a photograph and we will tell you whether it is a job for us.
How much does bag repair cost in Singapore?
| Small repairs | From S$60 — a strap loop, for instance. |
|---|---|
| Colour restoration | Generally S$300 to S$1,000, depending on the size of the piece and how much of it needs work. |
| Colour change | From S$350, for bags and shoes. |
| Full restoration | A large or exotic-skin bag restored throughout sits at the top of the range. |
Prices depend on size, leather and condition, which is why every job is quoted from a photograph rather than a list, and confirmed before any work starts.
When a bag is better left alone
Some pieces are worth more untouched. A collectible bag with honest wear can lose value if it is over-restored, and some repairs cost more than they return. If you are restoring a bag to sell it, read where to sell a luxury bag in Singapore first. We will tell you when not to — including when that means less work for us.
Repair, restoration, or just a bag spa?
If the leather is dirty, dry or dull but the colour is intact, you probably need a bag spa, from S$70 — see how to clean a leather bag for what you can do at home first. If colour has rubbed through, a handle has cracked or something has come apart, that is repair. Not sure? Send a photograph.
Get a quote
Send a photograph of the piece on WhatsApp to 9754 5910, or bring it to 20 Cecil Street, #02-02 PLUS, Singapore 049705. We assess it, confirm the price and turnaround, and only then start. More on the bag repair and restoration page.
House of Brandz is an independent reseller, trading in Singapore since 2008. We are not affiliated with, or an authorised dealer for, any of the brands we sell.