Repairs

Shoe and bag repairs

Replace heels and soles, stitch, glue and stretch shoes, and fix bags and zips, from a small stall, container or home.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Patient people who are good with their hands and leather, often learning from an experienced cobbler first.

In South Africa: Strong in townships, towns and near taxi ranks.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 10 hours a week · age 18+
  • Practical/hands-on work (competent or better) or Sewing, crafts or handmade (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R95 to R510 per repair

Published SA prices: heels and tips from R95 (El Sole Leather), heel repairs R140 to R260 and half sole and heel R360 to R510 (Barksole). Street cobblers usually charge less. Scenarios assume about one repair an hour.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R1 500 to R15 000
Every month
Glue, heel tips, soling rubber, thread, rent for a stall.
Payment fees
Cash or QR.
Margin
High on small repairs; your time and skill are most of the cost.

How it is paid: Price per repair. Our viability score for it: 58 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Count how many people pass your planned spot in an hour
    • Ask three cobblers near you what they charge for heels and soles
    • Good sign: 15 paid repairs in your first month

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Practise heels, stitching and gluing on old shoes
    • Write a price board for the five most common repairs
    • Find a spot with foot traffic and ask about a permit

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Keep a ticket book: name, number, repair, price and deposit
    • Buy materials in bulk only for repairs you do often

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Add polish, laces and insoles for sale
    • Offer a school-shoe repair deal before term

Fast if you already have the skills and a spot with foot traffic. First income usually takes 3 to 60 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Shoe and bag repairs: your step-by-step start

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Workers, school children, people who want good shoes to last longer.

Shoes and bags fixed for much less than buying new.

Is there demand?

SA repairers publish prices: heel repairs R140 to R260 and half sole and heel R360 to R510 at Barksole; heels and tips from R95 and soles from R300 at El Sole Leather. Street cobblers usually charge less.

Stall at a taxi rank or mall entranceRepairs from home with drop-offSchool-shoe repairs before term

Getting customers

A visible spot with foot traffic, a clear price board and good work people talk about.

Word of mouth and referralsResponding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Damaging an expensive pair: agree the price and risk before you start
  • A spot without foot traffic
  • Unclaimed repairs: take a deposit

Competition: Moderate; fewer young people learn the trade.

Room to grow: Grows with an apprentice, collection points and selling polish and laces.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • A stall in a public place needs your municipality's informal trading permit.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start shoe and bag repairs in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 500 to R15 000. Recurring costs: Glue, heel tips, soling rubber, thread, rent for a stall.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 60 days. Fast if you already have the skills and a spot with foot traffic.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

A stall in a public place needs your municipality's informal trading permit. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (4)

Free tools for this

Test shoe and bag repairs with your own numbersWork out the rate you need to chargeEstimate the tax on this side income

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy