Toorak · Victorian dining chair
A seat rebuilt after two years of sitting on a board
The original cane seat was replaced by hand, strand by strand, and the frame was checked and left as found.
Restored$180
New chair$650+
Forest Hill workshop · Hand-woven since 1976
Expert Cane Furniture Repairs Melbourne — Restore, Don't Replace
Hand-woven seats, revived wicker and mended rattan, done at our Forest Hill bench. Send a few photos and you'll get a free, no-obligation price, usually within 24 hours.
Workshop drop-off and collectionMon–Fri 10:00am–4:00pm
- 50+ Years of experience
- 3,500+ Pieces restored
- Up to 80% Saved vs. buying new
- 5.0 ★ Google rating
What we repair
Four crafts, one workshop
Choose a craft to see how we work, what it costs and how long it takes. Every repair starts with a check of the frame, and every quote is free.
Cane Chair Re-Caning
Our most requested repair. A split strand or a seat that has broken right out is rebuilt with the same hand techniques used when the chair was first made, then checked against the frame it sits in.
- Traditional hand-woven hexagonal cane
- Pressed cane panels set in the groove
- Wrapped rattan binding and edging
- Chair back and arm panel repair
- Full frame assessment included
- Dining chairs, armchairs and rockers
Wicker Furniture Repair
Melbourne weather is hard on wicker: hot summers, salt air around Brighton and St Kilda, and years of family use. We repair natural and synthetic weave, from small unravelling to a full re-weave.
- Natural wicker repair and re-weaving
- Synthetic and resin outdoor wicker
- Frame straightening and reinforcement
- Outdoor waterproofing
- Colour matching and touch-up refinishing
- Cushion frame and support repair
Rattan Restoration
Rattan poles are the structure of the furniture, so repairs need both craft and a little engineering. Mid-century and Balinese-inspired pieces are especially common in Hawthorn, Camberwell and South Yarra.
- Pole replacement and splicing
- Joint repair and reinforcement
- Rattan wrapping and binding restoration
- Full stripping and refinishing
- Stain, varnish or paint finishes
- Indoor and outdoor rattan
Antique Restoration
Antique cane furniture needs someone who knows the difference between restoration and renovation. We have worked on pieces dating from the early Victorian era for dealers, estate executors and private collectors.
- Victorian and Edwardian period-correct joinery
- Period-correct materials and weaving patterns
- Provenance and value preservation
- Consultation with antique dealers
- Certificates of restoration provided
- Insurance and valuation reports on request
From the workshop
Real chairs, real repairs
A few pieces from the bench at Forest Hill. Every seat is woven by hand, one strand at a time.
Bentwood seat, re-caned 
A run of bentwoods 
Tagged and ready 
Hexagonal weave, up close 
Fresh from the bench 
Waiting for collection
Recent Melbourne projects
Before the bench, after the bench
Drag the handle across each piece, or use the arrow keys. Illustrations stand in for workshop photos; the figures are what each repair cost against buying new.
Brighton · Outdoor wicker 3-seater
A $1,800 setting saved for under $400
Complete frame repair, full re-weaving and an outdoor refinish, protected for another decade of bayside summers.
RestoredUnder $400
New setting$1,800
Hawthorn · 1920s rattan bedroom suite
Four pieces, restored the way they were first made
Heritage restoration using period-correct methods. The suite's insurance valuation went up after the work.
Heritage restorationQuoted
Priced per piece after assessment
Pricing and process
Honest prices, five simple steps
Every quote is free. We will tell you straight if replacing makes more sense than repairing, though in our experience repair almost always wins.
| Service | Guide price | Usual turnaround | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cane Chair Re-Caning | $120–$220per chair seat | 3–7 daysbusiness days | Hand-woven cane or pressed panel for dining and occasional chairs |
| Wicker Furniture Repair | $180–$550per piece | 3–7 dayssingle pieces | Assessment, structural repair and re-weaving of chairs, sofas and tables |
| Rattan Restoration | $250–$800per piece | 1–3 weekslarger or multi-piece jobs | Frame repair, wrapping restoration and optional refinishing |
| Antique Restoration | POAquoted per piece | 1–3 weeksconfirmed before work starts | Heritage pieces quoted individually, as materials and complexity vary |
Prices are indicative. All repairs are quoted individually after assessment.
How a repair works
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Free quote
Send photos or call. We price it with no obligation, usually within 24 hours.
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Drop-off
Bring your furniture to our Forest Hill workshop at a time we agree.
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Assessment
We inspect every component and confirm the repair scope and timeline with you.
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Expert repair
Our craftspeople repair it with premium materials and proven techniques.
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Collection
Collect it from the workshop, as good as new.
Customer reviews
What Melbourne customers say
★★★★★So very happy with the replacement of the mid century rattan dining room chair seats. The colour match is perfect!! Thank you Manuel
Mary Sharp, Melbourne
- ★★★★★
Excellent job. Highly recommended. Thank you.
Sara Lloyd, Melbourne - ★★★★★
Perfect job on my in-laws rattan dining chair! Thank you. Highly recommend. True professional.
Angie Axi, Melbourne - ★★★★★
Thank you Manuel for a very professional repair on my rush chairs.
Alan, Melbourne - ★★★★★
I had my six bentwood chairs seats repaired. Job very well done. I highly recommend his work.
Amporn Ploy, Melbourne - ★★★★★
Great to talk to and helped me pick a better chair. Thank you!
Jessie Porteus, Melbourne
Questions we hear every week
How much does cane furniture repair cost in Melbourne?
Re-caning a single dining chair seat typically costs $120 to $220. Wicker furniture repairs range from $180 to $550 per piece, and rattan restoration from $250 to $800 depending on complexity. Antique restoration is quoted individually. Send us photos for an accurate, obligation-free estimate.
How long does a cane chair repair take?
Most single cane chair repairs take 3 to 7 business days in our Forest Hill workshop. Larger jobs with several pieces, or complex antique restoration, can take 1 to 3 weeks. We confirm turnaround before starting work and keep you updated.
Is it worth repairing cane furniture instead of buying new?
In most cases, yes. Repairing a cane chair typically costs 20 to 40 percent of a comparable new chair, and quality older pieces are often better made than modern mass-produced ones. For antique pieces, restoration also protects or lifts the value.
Do you offer pickup and delivery in Melbourne?
No. You drop off your furniture at our Forest Hill workshop and collect it from us when the repair is finished.
What is the difference between cane, wicker and rattan?
Rattan is a climbing palm. Its outer bark is stripped into cane, the thin strips woven into chair seats and decorative panels. Wicker is a weaving technique, not a material, and can use rattan, willow, bamboo or synthetics. A rattan frame with a woven cane seat is very common. We repair all three.
Do you repair outdoor wicker and synthetic rattan furniture?
Yes, both natural and synthetic. UV, humidity and general wear take a toll on Melbourne's outdoor furniture. We stock synthetic wicker materials that match common outdoor furniture brands and can colour-match them to your existing setting.
How do I know if my cane furniture can be repaired?
Send us a few photos and we will give you an honest assessment for free. If the frame, whether wood or rattan poles, is structurally sound and not rotten or shattered, we can usually restore the piece. Even badly damaged cane seats and wicker weaving can be fully replaced. When in doubt, get a quote before you throw it out.
Where are you located and which Melbourne suburbs do you serve?
Our workshop is in Forest Hill, Melbourne, and we give the full address when you enquire. We repair furniture for customers across Melbourne, including Richmond, Toorak, Brighton, St Kilda, Hawthorn, South Yarra, Camberwell, Kew, Malvern and many more suburbs. You bring the piece to the workshop and collect it when it is done.
Free photo quote
Send us photos. Hear back within 24 hours.
Tell us what needs repair and attach a few clear photos of the damage and one of the whole piece. No obligation, and we will say so if replacing makes more sense. Repairs are done at our Forest Hill workshop: you drop off and collect.
- Call 0432 441 716
- Email gadeacane@gmail.com
- WorkshopForest Hill, Melbourne VIC
Mon–Fri 10:00am–4:00pm · Sat & Sun closed