Occasions and ordering · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read

How long is a tailoring quote valid?

How long is a quote valid for? It varies by tailor, so look for the date on the quote. Why quotes expire, where ours shows it, and what to do if yours has run out.

Inspiration

There is no standard period

How long a quote is valid for depends on the tailor, and a good quote says so in writing. There is no common number of days across the trade. Ours states how long it remains valid on the written quote itself, so that line, not an assumption, is the one to go by.

If a quote you have been sent does not mention validity at all, ask before you rely on it.

Why a quote runs out

An expiry date is not a sales trick. A quote for made-to-measure clothing is built from several costs that move on their own, and a tailor can only stand behind them for so long.

Fabric: prices change, and a particular print or shade can sell out. A suggested cloth that was available last month may not be there now.
Courier rates: the cost of sending a parcel abroad is revised from time to time, and so are fuel and handling charges.
Exchange rates: a quote in dollars or euros is worked out from costs in other currencies, so a large swing changes the figures.
Import charges: countries change their duties, taxes and thresholds, and a quote that includes them has to reflect the current rules.
The calendar: a quote made in a quiet month may describe timing that no longer holds in the weeks before Eid.

Where to find it on ours, and what to do with it

Look for the validity line when you first read the quote, alongside the total, the currency and the processing time. Our guide to what to look for in your written quote lists everything else to check.

If you need longer to decide, say so before the date passes rather than after. Use the time to ask questions: a change to the neckline or the lining is easy to make while the quote is still open, and asking commits you to nothing. Approving the quote and paying in full is what turns it into an order, and the 5 to 7 working days of making start only then.

Coming back after it has expired

Ask us before paying anything. Do not pay against an expired quote on the assumption that it still stands; get it reconfirmed or reissued in writing first, so that the figure you pay and the figure on the quote are the same.

Expect some lines to be looked at again. On Fabric + Stitching, the suggested fabric may need fresh photos or a replacement if it is no longer available. The delivery and import line may change. The design you agreed can usually carry straight over, but measurements are worth checking again if months have passed. Our article on keeping your measurements on file covers when to re-measure. When you are ready, ask for a fresh quote.

Common questions

Can I ask for a quote to be held for longer?

Ask before it runs out and explain why you need the time. Whether the figures can be held depends on what the quote covers, such as a fabric that could sell out, and any new date should be confirmed in writing.

Can the price change after I have paid?

The total you approve and pay is the total for what was agreed. If you later ask for a change, it is usually straightforward before cutting, while after cutting it may affect the total and the making time.

Does asking for a quote oblige me to order?

No. Nothing is made until you approve the written quote and pay in full, so you can read it, ask questions and decide not to go ahead.

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