HOW TO HIRE · PERSONAL & LIFESTYLE · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a dressmaker in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A dressmaker in Ireland costs €100–€800 per garment, typically around €300. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a dressmaker in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers dressmaker work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — fabric Selection and Consultation — dressmakers often assist clients in selecting the right fabrics for their projects.
- How does complexity of the design change the price?A fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does type of fabric used change the price?Supplying your own can bring the quote down. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does time required for alterations change the price?A longer session costs more than a short one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Dressmaking primarily focuses on creating and altering garments — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a dressmaker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES to chefs, stylists, organisers, errand runners or concierges. You are buying somebody's time, taste and access to your home, so the checks are about trust and what is written down rather than about law.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Whether they are a trader — a business name and an invoice, not a favour with money attached; Public liability insurance, and who the insurer is; For anyone in your home unaccompanied, references you actually telephone; For food, whether they hold food-safety training and where the food is prepared; Exactly what the hours cover and what counts as extra; Keys and access in writing: who holds what, and how it comes back.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability; for food work, ask about product liability too. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers dressmaker work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — fabric Selection and Consultation — dressmakers often assist clients in selecting the right fabrics for their projects.
A good answer: A fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Supplying your own can bring the quote down. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A longer session costs more than a short one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Dressmaking primarily focuses on creating and altering garments — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a dressmaker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability; for food work, ask about product liability too — bridal and Evening Wear — many dressmakers specialise in creating stunning bridal gowns and evening wear.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the dressmaker starts, and an itemised invoice after — alterations and Repairs — dressmakers offer alteration services to adjust the fit of existing garments.
Getting the quote right
- Complexity of the design — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one.
- Type of fabric used — supplying your own can bring the quote down.
- Time required for alterations — a longer session costs more than a short one.
- Quality of materials chosen — a cheaper material often means more work to make it look right.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: complexity of the design — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one
- They will not talk about it: type of fabric used — supplying your own can bring the quote down
- They will not talk about it: time required for alterations — a longer session costs more than a short one
- A price for the dressmaker before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the dressmaker has begun
What a dressmaker costs: €100–€800 per garment
The figures are for the job, per garment, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Custom dressmaking and Alterations each carry their own band. Dressmaker price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Dressmakers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstComplexity of the design — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one — that is what the dressmaker is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneType of fabric used — supplying your own can bring the quote down — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfTime required for alterations — a longer session costs more than a short one — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherQuality of materials chosen — a cheaper material often means more work to make it look right — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the dressmaker is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, dressmakers often have formal training or apprenticeships in tailoring and garment construction.
- Alterations and Repairs
- Dressmakers offer alteration services to adjust the fit of existing garments.
- Bridal and Evening Wear
- Many dressmakers specialise in creating stunning bridal gowns and evening wear.
- Fabric Selection and Consultation
- Dressmakers often assist clients in selecting the right fabrics for their projects.
- Alterations
- Adjusting existing garments for a better fit, including shortening hems and taking in seams.
- Bridal Gowns
- Designing and constructing wedding dresses that reflect the bride's vision and fit perfectly.
- Special Occasion Wear
- Crafting unique outfits for events such as parties or galas, focusing on style and fit.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a dressmaker: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on the complexity of the design, the type of fabric used, and the time required for alterations. Custom designs and high-quality materials typically result in higher prices.
The duration depends on the complexity of the garment and the dressmaker's schedule. Generally, you should allow several weeks for a custom dress, especially for intricate designs or bridal wear.
While general dressmakers can handle most requests, a specialist may be necessary for intricate designs or specific fabrics. It's advisable to choose a dressmaker with experience in the type of garment you need.
Many dressmakers may accommodate rush orders, but this often incurs additional fees. Availability can vary, so it's best to check with the dressmaker about their capacity for same-day or emergency services.
Yes, many dressmakers offer package deals for multiple garments or related services, such as alterations and custom designs. Discussing your needs upfront can help you secure a better rate.
Dressmaking primarily focuses on creating and altering garments. Services such as dry cleaning, fabric sourcing, or extensive tailoring on non-garment items are usually considered out of scope.
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