How Much Do Alterations Cost?

It really depends on all that you want/need done for the dress. It can be $300 it can be close to $1000, it depends on the detail of your dress as well.

Oh my!! thank you for the response.... looks like I may be sticking with the one I know will work. It is a high-low style

My alterations were about $900---$200 of which was for a bustle I didn't even need! That was for letting out the bust, recreating beading where they had to let it out and hemming the length, which was intricate on my horsehair skirt.

As others said, this varies so much that no one, but a seamstress who is looking at your dress on you, can really give you a fairly accurate estimate. However, the more work needed, the more it will cost. So if you are choosing between dresses and trying to take into account the cost of alterations of each, consider the design of each dress. The more layers in the skirt, the more expensive hemming will be compared with one or two layers. The embellishment on the skirt (e.g., a lace bottom edge, a lot of lace appliques, a horsehair skirt or edging, etc.) will likely have to be removed before the dress is hemmed and then replaced -- tons of work/time/$$$. The same kinds of concerns will be true of the bodice. If it will need a lot of alterations to make it fit, those alone will be costly. If it also has embellishments, removing and then replacing those will drive up the cost. Also, if there are changes you'll want made, like adding sleeves or covering up part of a plunging neckline, etc., all of those will add costs.

Daughter's dress, a multi-layer lace and tulle over satin lining, a-line, honestly, needed very little in the way alterations: tightening the bodice, lengthening the beaded straps less than 1/2", and a 3-point over bustle and a 3-point under bustle. They cost about ~ $450 at the salon where she bought it. The dress cost about $1200, then we spent an additional 35% to make sure it fit perfectly.....

Bottom line? If you want to save on alterations, choose a dress that fits well direct from the manufacturer (some offer a petite or short sizing option that will help reduce needed hemming) and/or is fairly simple in design without a lot of embellishments that will add to alteration costs. Good luck!