How Much Does Shoe Repair Cost?
Shoe repair is the process of fixing separate parts of a shoe to make it usable again, including popular repairs such as resoling the shoe or heels.
How much does shoe repair cost?
The cost to have your shoes repaired depends on a number of factors. The cost of shoe repair will greatly depend on the repair that needs to be done, the shoe repair company and geographical location. On average, a shoe repair service can range anywhere from $5 to as much as $80. According to our research, take a look at our table below to see what most common repairs cost at local cobblers.
New rubber heels and soles for both men and women, for example, can cost anywhere from $15 to $50. Shoe stretching and adding sole guard protection, on the other hand, can cost $15 to $30 while replacing the heels and/or insole can cost $6 to $15.
Red Wing Shoes, a popular shoe company, offers shoe repair services at their manufacturing facility for their branded shoes only. According to their website, the premium repair package, which includes most repairs, will cost about $125, while the a la carte options can range anywhere from $7 to replace the laces to as much as $100 to resole the shoes.
| Type of Repair | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Cleaning or shining | $5 to $15 |
| Heel Liner | $30 to $60 |
| Heels (rubber or leather) | $10 to $45 to replace |
| Insoles | $20 to $35 |
| Sewing | $8 to $15 for average sewing repairs |
| Shoe Zipper | $35 to $55 |
| Sock Liner | $15 to $30 |
| Sole Protectors | $15 to $25 |
| Soles (leather or rubber) | - $40 to $85 - Cowboy/riding/hiking boots can cost $10 to $40 more. |
| Stretching Shoe | $15 to $25 |
| Welt | $15 to $25 |
Shoe repair overview
When you bring your shoe into a repair shop, it will first be evaluated by the person servicing it. After evaluation, the professional, referred to as a cobbler, will determine the price of the repair depending on their findings. Inside this estimate, it will include the cost of materials and the labor.
The most common repairs performed will include replacing the heel/sole or inserting a new sole or footbed. They can also clean, dye, replace golf shoe spikes, repair chew marks and even waterproof your shoes to prevent stains. Just like a car, just about any part of a shoe can be replaced.
The shoe repair time will vary depending on the amount of damage and how complicated the procedure is. If materials need to be ordered, for instance, the time may even be a couple of days. Most jobs should be completed within 72 hours. If being shipped to an online repair company, it could take much longer, depending on the repair. If shipping, it can take up to four to six weeks to see your shoes arrive in new condition.
What are the extra costs?
If you want to ship the shoes to the specific company that manufactured them, shipping costs may be charged; however, some manufacturers may provide the repair for free.
Some brands such as Rockport Birkenstock and Dansko’s often see premium prices due to the complexity when working with these types of shoes.
Tips to know:
Shoe repair may not be as durable as when your shoes are bought brand new, but it will extend the life of the shoe, allowing you to wear it for longer than average.
Quicken Loans says if you have your high-quality shoes repaired over time, you should see them last up to 20 years or longer.
Nushoe.com says if your shoe was resoled before, it can be resoled up to two to three times on average.
How can I save money?
Consider if the shoes are worth being repaired. If the shoes were purchased for $50, it would be silly to spend $50 on repair services unless they hold some sort of sentimental value. Only consider the repair if it’s less than half the value of the shoe.
Check to see if the shoes you purchased have any kind of warranty or guarantee from the company that made them. If the shoes are less than a year old, then the manufacturer may pick up the bill and repair them for you.
All shoes won’t be created equally, and if a cobbler thinks your shoes are too cheap to repair, they may recommend a new pair. The lesson here, even though it may be too late, is to consider buying a high-quality pair of shoes, even though it will cost a lot more up front. The Shoe Service Institute of America recommends shoes with a steel shank, the exact piece that supports the arch and a high-quality piece of natural material such as leather.
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Average Reported Cost: $30
How much did you spend?
- JJ (Charleston, South Carolina) paid $15 and said:
Had sole guard protection applied for about $15.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Leather Magic (San Diego, California) paid $20 and said:
Had rubber heels added for $20 to a pair of New Balance athletic shoes that were 6-months old and worn down in their heels.
Also had the zipper replaced on a leather jacket for $36.
Was it worth it? Yes
- James (Auatin, Texas) paid $55 and said:
for replacing leather welt on pair of cowboy boots
Was it worth it? Yes
