New Zealand sends a significant amount of textile waste to landfill every year. A lot of it is perfectly functional material that’s failed at the seams, frayed at the edges, or just needs a clean.
We’ve built a business partly on the idea that repair is usually the right answer. Not always, but more often than people think.
What can actually be repaired
Canvas covers such as boat covers, awnings and shade sails typically fail at seams and edges long before the body of the fabric gives out. UV breaks down thread faster than it damages quality acrylic canvas. A restitching job on a structurally sound awning costs a fraction of replacement.
Upholstery like chair covers, cushions and squabs can be recovered in new fabric while the foam and structure underneath are still perfectly good. We do this regularly. The customer gets what looks like a new piece of furniture for the cost of fabric and labour.
Leather goods age but don’t wear out the way fabric does. A leather squab that’s cracked at the surface can often be cleaned and treated. If it needs recovering, the hide is usually still usable underneath.
Marine canvas like spray hoods, biminis and sail bags often comes in for repairs rather than full replacement. A patch, a reinforced seam, new hardware. These add years to something that would otherwise be thrown away.
When replacement is the honest answer
We won’t tell you something is worth repairing when it isn’t. If the fabric has thinned to the point of tearing, if mould has fully penetrated the structure, or if the repair cost approaches replacement cost, we’ll say so.
The test is simple: does the underlying material still have useful life in it? If yes, repair it. If not, replace it with something built to last.
The economics
People often assume new is cheaper because they’re comparing retail prices for low-quality replacements against the cost of having something repaired by a tradesperson.
The comparison should be:
- Cost to repair a good awning: $150–$400
- Cost to replace with equivalent quality: $800–$2,500+
Repair is almost always cheaper per year of service life when the existing piece is worth saving.
What to send us
If you’re not sure whether something is worth repairing, send photos. We’ll look at them and give you an honest answer, including if the answer is that it’s not worth it.
Got a job like this?
Send photos and rough sizes, get an honest assessment back.