Frequently Asked Questions

1. Sydney Drop-Off (Appointment Required)
Clients may book a drop-off appointment at our Sydney office after submitting an enquiry and receiving confirmation from our team.

2. Australia-Wide & International Post
We accept items via secure postage. Once your quote is approved, we will provide detailed shipping instructions and the appropriate delivery address.

All shipments are sent via trusted national and international carriers, with full tracking provided at every stage of the journey.

For added peace of mind, items are covered by goods-in-transit insurance of up to $20,000 AUD per shipment in the unlikely event of loss or damage while in transit.

We also provide secure packaging guidance to minimise risk and ensure your item arrives safely.

We specialise in complex restoration and cleaning of luxury, vintage and collectible items — including pieces that may carry inherent risks due to age, material instability, prior treatments, dye sensitivity or structural wear.

All items are assessed prior to work commencing. Where we identify material risk (including potential colour movement, dye transfer, fragility, or structural compromise). In such cases, we may request written approval to continue, or respectfully decline the service if we believe the risk cannot be reasonably managed.

Please note that restoration outcomes - particularly for vintage, aged, delicate or previously altered items - cannot be guaranteed. Some materials may react unpredictably to cleaning, moisture, or treatment despite appropriate professional care.

Each item is photographed and condition-documented upon intake to record its pre-existing state. This documentation forms part of our service record.

If, in the unlikely event, an outcome falls below reasonable professional standards, we will work with you in good faith to determine an appropriate remedy in accordance with Australian Consumer Law. Remedies are limited to the service provided and do not extend to speculative or collectible market value.

Yes. Our restorations are supported by a 6-month workmanship guarantee.

This guarantee covers defects directly related to the service performed. As luxury items are worn and used in varying environments, we cannot control factors such as exposure to weather, friction, storage conditions, or third-party treatments once the item leaves our care.

For this reason, the guarantee applies specifically to the quality of our workmanship, not to general wear and tear, misuse, accidental damage, or changes caused by external factors.

If you experience an issue related to our work within this period, please contact us promptly so we can assess and address it appropriately.

Once we receive your item(s) and you have confirmed the work and quote, an invoice will be sent to you via email. Kindly note that payment by bank transfer or PayPal is required prior to put your item in queue.

We recommend sending your item securely packaged in a sturdy box with appropriate protective wrapping to prevent movement during transit.

Where possible, please avoid sending original brand packaging (including boxes, dust bags, shopping bags, authenticity cards or accessories), unless necessary. While we take care with all items received, we cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage, creasing or wear to original packaging materials during transit, storage or the restoration process.

If you are unsure how best to prepare your item, our team is happy to guide you prior to shipping.

Due to the nature of aged, vintage, delicate or previously treated materials, there is an inherent risk in restoration processes. By proceeding, the client acknowledges and accepts these risks. Read more

Yes, mould removal is one of our most requested services, especially after humid Sydney summers and cold Winters. Treatment starts from $80 and targets the spores, not just the visible bloom, so the mould doesn't return; cleaning and conditioning follow so the leather finish isn't harmed. Never scrub mould with vinegar or alcohol on finished luxury leather - it sets stains and strips finishes. If the bag smells musty, after a cleaning service and treatment, we suggest this to be aired out or taking home one of special charcoal or silica bags to help take in the odour.

Usually, yes. The pale vachetta leather on Louis Vuitton handles and trim absorbs skin oils and grime; professional cleaning evens it back to a clean honey patina, often dramatically. Restoring it to factory-pale isn't honestly possible on the original leather - severely darkened handles and trim can instead be replaced with new vachetta. Cleaning is part of our bag cleaning service from $95.

All designer and luxury houses, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Prada, Dior, Fendi, Saint Laurent, Céline, Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Goyard, Valentino, Balenciaga and Burberry, along with vintage and discontinued pieces -  plus designer shoes from Louboutin and Jimmy Choo to R.M. Williams. If you're unsure, send photos; if a piece cannot be restored, we'll say so.

Every job is quoted individually from photos, but as a guide: bag cleaning starts from $75 and full spa treatments from $120; stitching from $55; strap and handle repairs from $75; corner and touch-up colour work from $80; mould treatment from $80; dye transfer from $95; zips from $150 on bags; colour restoration from $199 and full colour changes from $250. A minimum service charge of $150 applies per order. Your quote itemises everything before you commit.

It can, and we tell you before anything touches the bag. Hermès in particular generally declines to spa a bag another workshop has worked on - cosmetic cleaning keeps your options open, while structural or colour work is a decision we talk through case by case. For other houses, boutique repair programs vary; we'll give you an honest read at assessment.

Yes! Vintage restoration is some of our favourite work: vintage Chanel with 24k gold-plated hardware, early Louis Vuitton, discontinued styles and Fendi Baguettes are our forte. Restoration is sympathetic: reviving colour, structure and hardware while preserving the character (and value) that makes the piece vintage.

Yes. Surface colour refresh starts from $199 for reviving the existing shade, and full colour changes from $299 -  a considered process of stripping, re-pigmenting and sealing, with the achievable palette confirmed on your leather before you commit.

Yes, restitching and repairs from $75, and full handle or strap replacement where wear has gone too far, colour-matched to the bag. When possible, straps and handles can be made as per their original design. We custom source every piece of leather to match accordingly or as per your request. Peeling or sticky strap edges are usually edge-coating wear, re-glazed rather than replaced.

Very often, yes - dye transfer treatment starts from $95 and colour harmonisation over treated areas from $80. Ink and dye are the hardest stains in luxury restoration, so we assess from photos and tell you honestly what improvement to expect before you send the bag. It is recommended that treatment is actioned as soon as possible to heighten the chances of removal. We certainly do not recommend at-home remedies as this can permanently damage the areas effected and often we are given the call to help reverse these scenarios.

Absolutely! Clients in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, regional Australia, even Aukland, Queenstown and further use our mail-in service every week. Photos first, quote within 2 business days, tracked and insured shipping both ways with cover up to $20,000 per shipment, and we take photos on arrival before any work begins.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, we’re here to help.

You’re welcome to start a live chat with our team or email us directly at service@therecolab.com.

We’re always refining our services and appreciate your questions.