How much does guitar repair cost?
At Favaran Studio, standard acoustic, electric and bass setups are listed at $105–$120 CAD in labour. Locking-tremolo and 12-string setups are listed at $150–$170. These are guides for the named work, rather than a diagnosis of an instrument we have not inspected. Parts and strings may cost extra.
A complete fret dress for supported guitar types is listed at $220–$250, with setup additional unless your written quote includes it. A single troublesome fret does not automatically require the complete job. Check our current repair price list for the service and instrument that apply to you.
Why two similar guitars can receive different quotes
The symptom is only the starting point. High strings could need ordinary adjustment, work on the nut or saddle, or a structural inspection. A repair quote should identify the cause and proposed work instead of treating every uncomfortable guitar as the same job.
Instrument construction also matters. Binding, finish around the repair, access to wiring, a floating bridge and previous modifications can change the labour involved. A damaged screw or old glue joint may add work that is not visible in an enquiry photo. Ask the workshop to explain any change in scope before you approve it.
Separate labour, parts and assessment
Compare like-for-like quotes. Ask whether the price includes strings, replacement parts, a final setup and any finish work. Refretting and refinishing are different tasks, and a low headline figure may describe only one stage.
Favaran’s listed bench rate is $120 per hour when agreed, with $30 minimum labour. A standard estimate has no charge; a major repair assessment is $35 when required. These fees are not a promise that every instrument can be diagnosed from a photograph. We confirm the work and price after inspection where needed.
What to send for a useful estimate
Include the instrument type, make and model if known, the symptom, and when it began. Photograph the whole instrument and the area causing concern. Mention previous repairs, your preferred tuning and a performance deadline. Those details help distinguish a playing adjustment from damage that needs a closer look.
If you are arranging GTA pickup or drop-off, ask about timing and any transport charge separately. Favaran’s workshop is near Davisville & Yonge, and visits are by appointment. A response to your enquiry is the start of the conversation; it does not confirm a visit or final repair price.
Questions to ask before approving the work
Ask what the repair is intended to improve, which parts will be replaced, and whether further work could be necessary once the instrument is opened. For a valuable or sentimental guitar, discuss whether keeping original hardware or visible wear matters to you.
Use the estimate form to explain your budget and priorities. A written scope makes it easier to decide between essential work now and optional changes later, without assuming that the most expensive repair is always the right choice.