You have a funky but shabby chair that you can't bear getting rid of — or an incredible chain store sofa, but are unhappy with the boring stock fabric options. You want to get upholstery work done but are new to this and have no clue what such a project would cost. Well, read on!
Here are some examples of real people who have had work done--and what they actually paid. And we have also included some words of wisdom (and pricing ranges) from a handful of designers and upholsterers.
Case Studies of Real Life Upholstery Jobs
Here are some real examples from friends who have upholstered various pieces of furniture. It should be noted, of course, that most of these folks live in Washington DC, which is hardly the country's best locale for bargain goods and services! If you live in a smaller town you can count on lower labor costs.
Kevin:
I wrote about Kevin's fabulous mid-century modern haven. Kevin knows his stuff and wanted only high quality work on his vintage furniture and chose expensive materials. His Knoll chair cost $450 to reupholster, and something like $650 total for the Spinneybeck leather material. His Knoll sofa was about $650 to reupholster and another $600 for fabric. He recalls, "the Womb settee was really expensive to reupholster because I wanted it to original specs and you need someone with specialized expertise. It was about $1800 total for upholstery and fabric." Kevin recommends Dave Erbe (610-967-4658) for his high quality work and for being a "really nice guy."!
Jen:
Jen recently had a club chair reupholstered by Calico Corners and it was about $560 for the labor.
Elizabeth:
Was considering getting a Bergere chair redone but has put it off because of the price she was quoted. She was told the labor would be $395 plus about 6 yards of fabric. The chair's single cushion would have a Dacron wrap ($25) and if she chose down/feather it would be about $95. Delivery was $95. The real cost for Elizabeth was the Madeleine Weinrib fabric she lusted after, which was a whopping $250 per yard (meaning the fabric total would come to about $1,500!
Sarah:
Sarah got a basic contemporary 3-seater sofa reupholstered with similarly basic solid-colored fabric for $860, fabric included. She says it was worth it because the sofa is very well made and super comfortable but the original fabric was irreversibly stained.
Mary Anne:
About ten years ago Mary Anne inherited two very heavy club chairs and a sofa from her parents. She found a really good upholsterer named Ana who was incredibly economical. The upholsterer stripped the pieces to their frames, reinforced the frames and redid the pillows in spring down, a combo of manmade and down (she regrets not doing full down). "Ana works out of her home. She and her son picked up the 3 pieces in Skokie and delivered to Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago. Fabric excluded, she did the whole job for $800. No lie. It was a gift beyond belief. She is a magnificent upholsterer with emphasis on finishing detail. She was extremely careful of matching seams and patterns. For example, she explained that the 3 sofa cushions can be turned for wear, like a mattress, and alternated so that the fronts and backs match the back pattern of the couch at all times. Even the arm covers match the pattern of the underlying arm of the couch." A few years later Ana covered 8 dining chairs, including 2 armchairs, with fabric backs and leather seats. All together the labor was around $1,000.
Mary Anne's advice is to ask around in unlikely places: "I found Ana through my hair stylist! Ana has done work for major hotels like the Hilton and Marriott, so maybe ask at those types of businesses." Mary Anne also says that fabric stores can be a good resource for upholsterer: "Be careful though; make sure you see some of their finished work. If they're good, they're proud of it. Good upholsterers can give you great tips on fabric too."
The Pros Weigh In
Because interior decorators are constantly referring out and contracting with upholsterers, they can offer a good general overview of the costs associated with upholstery.
Annie Elliott of Bossy Color
Annie Elliott of Bossy Color, an interior design firm in Washington DC, has some great, detailed advice for those considering reupholstering a piece of furniture.
Sofa: Allow 17-20 yards of fabric if you're using a solid or texture, but if you're using a large-scale pattern, you'll need more. Labor cost can range between $800 - $1000, depending on whether you have loose seat and back cushions or not. "Of course there are less expensive upholsterers, but you do NOT want to skimp on this, especially if a pattern is involved."
Dining chair, seat only: You might only need a yard of fabric, but it will still cost $75-$100 per chair to upholster.
Comfy living room armchair: "You might - shockingly - need 10 yards of fabric if you have loose seat and back cushions. If there aren't separate cushions or a skirt, you might be able to do 7 yards." Labor would be around $500.
Bench or ottoman: You may only need a few yards of fabric, depending on the repeat. Labor shouldn't be too high; maybe $150 - $200 depending on whether there's welting, cording, etc.
Annie says there are some factors that will affect the labor costs:
• Tufting is labor-intensive. Also, will the buttons be covered w/ the same fabric as the piece? That's more work for the upholsterer.
• Welting (that cord-like edging) is also more work.
• Zippers on the cushions
• Making sure patterns line up. Geometric or striped patterns are harder to work with
Other factors to consider include whether any structural repairs need to be done to the frame or springs and whether you want arm covers or delivery.
Should you try to DIY? The only upholstery Annie thinks a novice should attempt is a dining room chair if the seat pops right up out of the frame. "There's practically a sticker on the bottom of those seats that says, 'Go ahead. Staple gun me.'"
Annie wrote a great blog post that provides some very wise advice and some case studies of actual upholstery costs.
Meaghan McNamara
Meaghan has an interior design and furniture rehab business in Washington DC (301-509-1098) . According to her, "the size, shape, and fabric all weigh in on your final price. But typically for an arm chair you are looking at $250 to $350 and for a couch it can be even more of a range in price anywhere from $600 upward."
Meaghan also adds that tufting, piping, and trim require more labor and are therefore higher in price. Some fabrics like a vinyl can also be more time-consuming then a cotton because it is harder to ensure smooth surfaces and edges with a thicker texture.
What have you paid for upholstery work? Was it worth it? Why did you decide to redo the piece instead of replacing with a new piece altogether?
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Would you mind sharing Ana's contact information? I live in Chicago and have been looking for an upholsterer.
Or you can take re-upholstery classes at G Street Fabrics (in the DC/VA area) This will be my third go around and will have completed two chairs on my own! Both were completely stripped to the frame and built back up! I highly recommend the instructor Michael Behramand.
I live in the South, where there are still a couple of working textile factories near me. I've been able to find some incredible deals on fabric remnants from these places-- beautiful mohair that cost me a fraction of what mohair costs in a fabric store. The remnants are usually no more than 10 yards, at most-- usually less-- but perfect for some chairs or small love seat. So even though I pay an upholsterer, I've saved significant money on the fabric.
I have very old furniture, some of which was my grandmother's, and because this furniture is so well made and has beautiful lines, I always go the re-upholstery route. I found an amazing upholsterer through a local fabric store. He's very good, and I wouldn't go to anyone else. A great upholsterer who is also knowledgable about older furniture and who knows his/her history, is invaluable.
I'm also surprised by some of Annie Elliott's fabric estimations mentioned above. I have a couple of very large couches, including one mid-century modern sofa that's well over 90 inches long, with covered buttons and welting-- and I have never bought more than 15 yards of fabric for that sofa, nor for any other, including an oversized camel-back sofa I own. I'm thinking her estimates are a bit over the top. I also believe (and in my experience), the better and more accomplished the upholsterer, the less fabric he/she will probably need to use.
Labor costs will vary greatly by area. I manage an upholstery shop in the San Francisco Bay Area and our labor prices are easily 30-40% higher then the prices quoted above by the DC area designer. We are not the most expensive shop in the area but we are not the cheapest either. My advice is to check around, see if you can visit the work room and see examples of their projects first hand. Ask your friends, ask at fabric shops in the area. Be careful of upholsterers without licensing or insurance. Their overhead is going to be lower but their quality may be too.
Any reasonably priced suggestions for NYC?
In Chicago, I have used the guys at Covers Unlimited, www.coversunlimitedinc.com, for at least four or five projects, and they've been absolutely fantastic (and VERY reasonable) every time. I promise I'm not affiliated with them (I don't work for them, I'm not getting anything out of this post) -- I just think they're great at what they do and wanted to recommend them!
Yes, any recommendations for NYC?
I had an old vinyl covered desk chair that I got free from the side of the road re-done with new padding and an old drapery panel($25). It cost me $100 here in rural PA for labor. Of course she put the pattern on upside down...the panel had a top and bottom!! So PA.
I've since stopped using the chair. As charming as those old office chair can be...they are not very comfortable.
My friend was quoted over $3k in labor for a sofa and 2 chairs at Calico Corners and they wanted her to buy 20 yards of fabric for the sofa alone. She asked around and found a guy working out of his house who did all 3 pieces plus some cushions for $1200 using 10 yards. It was very difficult to get the contact info of the upholstery guy - he's in high demand and the people who have his info don't want it to get around so they can keep getting the good deals.
Echoing MICHAELUPHOLSTERYCA, labor costs are so different in different areas. It's a little misleading, or at least incomplete, to run an article on "real" reupholstering costs and not break it down by area of the country.
What about a contact for Austin? There is Spruce, of course, but their prices seem awfully high.
I had a small chair reupholstered with 5 yards of fabric for $200 plus the cost of fabric. They did an excellent job and I felt like it was a decent price for the work.
For reference, I'm in DC and currently having cushions remade for a sofa that has a strong frame - the fabric has just taken too much abuse and the cushion fill is worn out.
For a 80" long bench cushion, high density foam core with down wrapper, and a removable washable cover I'm paying $300. The two back cushions, each about 40" long are down and crushed foam with washable covers will be about $200.
For the frame slipcover it's another $400 for labor. I got a great deal on washable, cotton twill upholstery fabric for about $7/yd, so in all I'm paying about $1,100 to redo the sofa with quality fill in the cushions.
Bridget and IdeaChick: I have had great success with mod restoration in Brooklyn. Sim is the guy's name, and they have upholstered a few things for me, including an Eastlake settee in 2010 and an Eames Management chair in late 2011. For the settee, I bought some Kravet fabric on Ebay (maybe $65?) and I paid them about $1000 for the labor and pickup and delivery, from Brooklyn and back to Brooklyn. It might be cheaper if you didn't need this part. For the chair, it was $600, but I used a Groupon, which made it slightly less expensive. Again, I bought the fabric and provided it to them. Hope this helps.
ITA with MichaelUpholsteryCA about checking around and see if you can visit the upholster's work room. Some upholstery places I interviewed were vague or flat out refused to tell me where their work shop is, which is why I decided on Spicer's Upholstery in Alexandria, VA. Even though Spicer's slightly more expensive, I was shown the work shop on my first visit and the people there do top quality work. In fact they're delivering my sofa tomorrow, and its beautiful! I already know this because they encouraged me to visit their work shop anytime and I got to see my sofa get stripped down to the frame and reinforced, the wood stained, and masterfully reupholstered. The total labor cost is $850.
I had a small chair reupholstered using only 3 yards of fabric for $100! Get multiple quotes. My first quotes were $300-$500, which was ridiculous considering the size of the chair.
For New York City I recommend The Furniture Joint. I doubt it's the cheapest but Matthew Haley and his team are wonderful. They have reupholstered a few mid-century pieces for me and some other era/style pieces for friends of mine.
Edited: actually the total labor cost is $750, but because I brought in my own fabric instead of using Spicer's stock, another $100 was added. That was something I failed to understand when it was explained to me the first time. I still saved $100 for bringing in my own fabric but it may be worth using the their fabric that is designed for the wear and tear of sofa use.
If you have a solid piece with a shape difficult to come by otherwise, then it is worth every cent. In my cases, also in the DC area, all of the pieces were from family (and free!). They were well made to begin with--two were brought home form Denmark--and they were of a scale perfect for my small 50s-era home. Of course it all depends on several factors, but I think considering regional differences, $200 to 700 for a chair and $700 to 1200 for a sofa are good benchmarks for labor.
Re G St fabrics--even if you don't want to learn upholstery yourself, they have a huge remnants table where you can get fabric at excellent prices. I just paid $75 for a chair at an antique market and then got fabric for less than $30. I expect to pay less than $300 for the labor, so all in all that's $400 for a one-of-a-kind piece. My other fabric sources are staying secret until I finish my next two pieces.
I am currently debating whether or not to recover a chair or simply get custom slipcovers made. (This is NOT a DIY possibility; if you had ever seen my attempts at sewing, you would not argue.) Does anyone know the comparable price of slipcovers?
I had a gem of a contact where I used to live, but I've since moved...
Anyone have a good contractor in the Chapel Hill, NC area?
Paid $125 plus fabric to have 4 dining chair seats covered including edge piping. I did provide the actual seat and the foam. I quoted out a wingback chair and got 3 responses averaging $350 for labor plus 7 yards fabric. This is in Central PA though, so probably cheaper than Chicago.
Lots of helpful feedback here. I'm moving and plan to give re-upholstering my sofa, which will go in the basement, a shot. It's a pretty decent sofa, with a sturdy frame, but I've never been a fan of the fabric/color, and the cushions are starting to flatten. I've been researching this topic for a couple of years now and am ready to give it a shot. Being a DIY addict,with previous success, I think it'll be fun. And being that I'm in DC, I'm definitely going to check out the classes at G Street Fabrics. I'll be sure to share pictures, regardless of the outcome, when I finally get the project done. Many thanks!
I remember paying almost $1k to do one large chair many years ago, in San Francisco, by a guy who was both a snob and a bit of a con artist. There's a guy like that in my current community, too. The upholstery trade can be pretty dishonest. I've learned from my mistakes.
I found a good, honest, reasonable upholstery guy by ordering custom cushions through my local fabric store. The store won't give out the fellow's name or contact info -- they want you to go through them and order their fabric -- but when he came out to measure I had him work up a couple more estimates for other things. He told me the shop puts 30% on top of his labor charge, so I started hiring him directly. I find my own deals on fabric, and save money.
I am in NJ in a more "rural" area and I was quoted $1200 for 2 oversized wingbacks and an ottoman. I did not think it was awful considering wingbacks take something like 11yards of fabric for each chair.
My mother gave me two small side chairs that used to live in her office, and I am reupholstering them myself. I was quoted $250 per chair from several upholstery shops (in the DC area), which seemed a little absurd to me. I figured that if I mess it up, I won't be losing much because the chairs were free. So far, the project is coming along very well. I say that if you have some sewing skills (so you can make cording, do seams, etc.) and are patient, DIY upholstery is totally feasible.
Anyone know of one in Cleveland?
In my upholstery classes in Indianapolis, students have completed open armed side chairs, fully upholstered arm chairs, wingback chairs and small loveseats that look like they were professionally done. Once you learn it, it's a skill for life. see modhomeec.com
FYI. There's a difference both in practice and in cost of simply "recovering" a piece of furniture, and actually "reupholstering" it. Recovering is changing out the fabric, perhaps adding some new cotton stuffing. Reupholstering involves the guts—webbing, springs, etc. along with all the stuffing and outer fabric. Like most things, when you pay less, you get less. However, that said, many pieces probably don't need to be fully reupholstered (especially those that are less than 50 years old).
love to know more about the painting in this post photo!
Hi - In New York City, contact Metropolitan Window Fashions ... www.windowfashions.com. with locations on Upper West Side and Upper East Side.They do beautiful re-upholstery - at very competitive prices. I had an old chair reupholstered with $29 a yard fabric (needed only a few yards) and it cost about $200 total.
I have looked in the G St classes in the DC area and am a regular shopper there. Their full price items are marked up over other retailers, ones not even that far away. If you like a fabric there check for it online or wait til they send a good coupon. Their monopoly over the DC fabric market saddens me, not to mention their exclusivity contract with Bernina.
But, my issue with the reupholstery classes there is that they won't store the piece for you. I don't even know how I'd get an arm chair there with my Corolla, but to get it there and back 8 times?? I can't imagine the class is too full with that requirement.
Marlee--
I use AAA (Triple A) Upholstery, located in Raleigh. They used to be in Durham and work all over the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. And they are amazing. Honestly-- I wouldn't let anybody else in that area touch my furniture. They're listed, so you can find them online.
DI2
If you're in Austin I suggest Alfaro's. I've had them do three pieces of furniture and I highly recommend them. It's a local business, pretty much a 'mom and pop' operation and they are amazing, fair, and helpful.
Couple of follow up comments: slipcovers are usually 25-30% less expensive since there is no removing of the old fabric, spring work, frame repadding etc. A lot of in-home seamstresses may make slipcovers for even less (with low overhead).
As for the upcharge for supplying your own fabric, many shops charge as much as a 10.00 per yard "cutting fee" for COM (customer's own material). Look for a shop that works with Interior Designers and doesn't charge any COM upcharges.
You can always save money on fabric by shopping around but labor isn't something that you should expect to be discounted. You don't want the upholsterer to do a rush job and skip steps. Think of your car mechanic. If it takes 10 hours, expect to pay for 10 hours.
Slipcovers are less expensive.
I paid $350 for a dux chair and otttoman to be recovered. It was another $100+ for some tweed fabric.
Carollann makes a very good distinction between "recovering" and "reupholstering", a facelift versus full invasive surgery. My sofa was truly reupholstered as it was over 50 years old and the stuffing, including horsehair, were cleaned out and replaced, along with the webbings. There's that added psychological benefit of lying on a clean sofa instead of wondering what's underneath at the back on your mind, at least that's me.
Oh and I live in Atlanta. I got the reupholstery done at Nandina Home and I bought the fabric from Sheron&Lewis. This is exactly what my chair and ottoman look like except they are dark grey now: http://www.livinghomefurniture.com/redesigned-image-placeholder-three/dux-chair
I used an upholsterer (Kay Chesterfield) in Oakland that did a fabulous job on our family wing back chairs (2). This was an upholstery, re-spring, re-stuff, re-laquer the wood legs and ends of arms, piping, as well as work with the fabric design that was very tricky... "Names" by Alexander Girard http://www.maharam.com/products/462510/skus/462510003 .
The bill in total - for pick up, delivery, and all the work was around $1500. Yes, it's a lot. But they are family chairs, with great bones, wonderful for sitting, reading, sleeping. I fully expect to leave them to a niece or nephew that loves furniture like I do.
I purchased the materials myself, and that was a chunk of change, too. About $750, with my architect's discount. Would I pick that fabric again? Yes and no. Yes I love it, and continue to love it. It makes the space dance. But - it's basically ivory, and my husband (who I met after doing the chairs) works with cars. GAH!
I had a vintage sofa reupholstered by a local second-hand furniture shop. The sofa was just $300, the fabric cost me about $150 and the labor was $300. I wish I'd seen this post back then, because then I would have known that it was too good to be true. The sofa looked pretty good, but less than a month later, the fabric on the cushions started to come unsewn. Then, a few months after that, my (not-overweight) boyfriend sat down and the heavy coils burst through the bottom of the sofa. They are now hanging through the burlap that was, apparently, the only thing holding them inside the sofa! I am new to the vintage furniture thing, so I have no idea how older sofas are supposed to work, but I would have thought that a reputable upholsterer would have told me if the entire support system for my sofa was about to give way. If anyone has any recommendations for vintage furniture repair in the Boston/Cambridge area, I'd be much obliged!
I got a "free" armchair from my parents that had seen better days, but had a solid frame and I loved the shape. Decided to get it reupholstered after getting a quote for $400-$500 plus fabric. I was able to buy a remnant for $17/yd (7 yds) so it sounded pretty reasonable to me, but there were so many add-ons (and labor for those add-ons) that weren't mentioned until my chair was already ripped apart that all said and done it was almost $1000. It looks great, but I was really disappointed with the bad quote and lackluster service. Bottom line, ask a LOT of questions before they take anything apart.
I have another chair I'd like to redo, but have no intention of going back to the same place. So, if anyone has a suggestion for a good upholsterer in Seattle, I'd love to hear it!
Believe it or not my 86 year old Mother-in-law until recently reupholsterd for friends and family. Stated she learned it from her mother. Her pieces looked like fantastic pieces of art
Myself, since she doesn't do it anymore; knowing how much work goes into a piece; I would buy a new piece of furniture vs reupholstery.
A few years ago, I had my grandfather's wing back chair (+75 years) reupholstered after living with a broken seat and frayed arms for almost 15 years using various blankets and additional cushions. I never sat in the chair because with broken springs under the cushion, I sank many inches.
While I am crafty and a diy, I decided this project was too complicated and best left to a good reupholster. After I reviewed numerous materials and options, the price came to about $1K for a microfiber gray circle pattern fabric, new cushion, new springs, labor + delivery (the latter was separate). It was worth the $ and effort: well tailored, you can sit without sinking, awesome fabric, and it's a nice way to remember my grandpa who sat on this chair with many, many cushions. He'd probably complain it was too expensive but secretly, I bet he would have enjoyed sitting there.
Thanks for this article. Didn't realize how prices vary on these things. Hurts my DIY soul to see these prices. But on another note...where can I get the painting??????? Love it!
Hello All,
Some folks were asking about good upholsterers in the NYC area. We are a shop in New Jersey, 15 mins from the city. Aurora Upholstery Studios, LLC is a full-service upholstery studio with a distinguished reputation. We are a one stop resource for creating a new look for your home, office or commercial property. Whether you need assistance with minor updating, or large-scale renovations, we'll help you achieve the look you want. On time and within budget! Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/auroraupholsterystudios
or check out our website. www.auroraupholsterystudios.com
We make custom furniture, slipcovers, and service the furniture, marine and aviation industry. Free estimates.
All labor quotes should be in writing and any possible "add on's", work that may be needed once the fabric is removed from the furniture should be spelled out in advance. Every piece of furniture offers up a few surprises, many because of poor quality reupholstering in the past but it's difficult to determine exactly what ails a chair that's sagging until the fabric is removed.
California has a law for furniture upholsterers stating "Sections 19162 & 19163 of the Business & Professions Code provide that no charge shall be made in excess of the estimated price without the oral or written consent of the customer."
In NYC, I have used Lore Decorators (212-534-1025). They're in Spanish Harlem, but they have a truck and will pick up and deliver. They reupholstered two fun '60s armchairs (with piped edges, loose seat cushion with zipper and those little slip things that go on the arms) for about $600 (as I recall--it was some years ago). I got cheap fabric from a shop on the Lower East Side. Lore did a nice job, no complaints.
In the DC/Baltimore area, I recommend Discount Fabrics USA in Thurmont, Maryland (www.discountfabricsusacorp.com). They specialize in upholstery fabrics. I have gotten fantastic deals on their remnants--only $5 a yard. It's a bit like any discount place though--you never know what you will find, and you have to be a bit flexible and open minded.
If you have the time and are somewhat crafty, the cheapest way to go is to sign up for a Adult Education Class at one of the High Schools or similar class at a Technical College. I signed up for a night class at a San Antonio, Texas high school. Their shop was equipped with all the upholstery tools necessary. The instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful. From a bare frame I redid a rocker which had inner springs and horse hair stuffing. All it cost me was tuition (about $100 and a remnant of silk upholstery material that I found at a store that was in foreclosure.) There was a guy in the class who was into his 2nd semester, reupholstering a full-size couch.
I am so, so, so, so, SO fond of this house! I can absolutely FEEL the love in this house..
Have been looking for an upholsterer in the San Diego area. We have 6 Jens Risom dining chairs from the '50's that need attention. Thanks for any help. I'll keep checking the posts.
Houston TX and surrounding areas. Valcon's Finishing Touch. My family and I have used and highly recommended her for 20 years. Bedding, Pillows, Blinds, Shades and excellent upholstery. Her prices are roughly half those for NY and DC as to be expected.
VALCOLOWE@YAHOO.COM. tELL HER tRISH SENT YOU.
Interesting article in the Globe & Mail today about upholstering - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/maintaining-the-upholsterers-craft/article4310613/
I have had 2 chairs and a couch reupholstered - not cheap, but I was really pleased with the results.
Seriously, $75-$100 to reupholstery a dining room chair?
In the Boston area Locatelli-Smith is very good (http://locatellismithinteriors.com). Ask for Gary. He just did three mid-size chairs for us for $250 each labor. The chairs were in bad shape - they had been in my father in law's pediatric waiting room since 1960 and the wood had initials carved in it, creaky old springs that needed to be replaced, covered in green nagahyde (sp?).
We found very nice fabric at Freddy Farkels in Watertown (www.fabricshowplace.com) for about $25-30 yard and needed 3 yards per chair. The chairs have wooden arms (no fabric needed) and no loose pillows, mid century modern clean lines. In any case, they look great and my FIL was delighted to see how good his old chairs came out!
We have a great old tuxedo style sofa that my grandparents had. It's a dark chocolate brown chintz chinoiserie that is just lovely. But sadly, it was ripping all over. I couldn't get myself to take off that fabric, though; I could see them sitting on it. So we kept the base fabric and found a really good upholsterer to make a perfect fitting slip cover. It looks upholstered, but we can unzip it anytime and wash the whole thing. We did have the pillows re-done. The entire thing cost about $500 with tax and fabric (we chose a cheap belgian-style linen from a discount fabric outlet.)
I would highly recommend going to a pro for something like this. If it's one chair or a small ottoman, maybe. But having something that will hold up for another decade or two is worth the investment imo.
Now this was a brilliant topic with lots of useful information. Wow AT you have redeemed yourself after that porno watching article that was such a bust.
really! tell us more about this painting please?! how does it get that ceramic gloss reflective shine? would love to try something like that at home.
^ Haha... had two AT windows up...
For someone who will get you the best price on fabric plus great upholstery work, contact Darlene at Sheerly Elegant in the NW Suburbs of Chicago. Contact her thru email darlene@sheerlyelegant.com or call 630.945.7424. Personable, cost conscience and a wonderful company.
I have had multiple pieces done thru her company plus all my window treatments. She has the best and most reasonable painter known to man, too. My husband plans never to paint again.
Support a great local business.
This is really eye-opening. I have 2 Louis chairs I've been wanting to get reupholstered and the quotes I've been getting have varied widely. Almost makes me want to get chairs from Restoration Hardware instead and, in some cases, come out ahead!
Kerrik questions $75-100 for a dining room chair.
I paid $200/chair (incl fabric, pick up and delivery) for 4 dining chairs. That included major rebuilding of seat and back cushions and light refinishing of the frames. The seat cushions are raised with top and bottom welting on all 4 sides. The tall chair backs are upholstered front and back with welting.
I don't think this was a bargain by any means but it would have taken me for freaking ever and I can't imagine asking anyone to do the job in the $75-100 range that Kerrik questions. I picked up this set at a yard sale with a table for $75. They were made right here in So Cal and I love that they look just like their old selves, only better so I'm happy. And I think that's the point of choosing to reupholster older pieces.
Need a contact in the eastern Washington State-Northern Idaho (or even to Boise, Idaho). I have a beautiful, older Scandanavian sofa that has a great frame but needs rebuilding/recovering. Dogs finally pawed thru the wool fabric covering, and I've kept it still in the basement. I've been saving it for reupholstering. It has such beautiful clean lines, doesn't let you sag into it, and it's short in the leg so that most people think it fits them perfectly.
Los Angeles. Found an old slipper chair on Craiglist that I loved and paid about $75-100 for it. It barely fit in my car but it did fit--so sold! When I came home with it, my boyfriend took one look at it and said I paid too much. Stained fabric and majorly scuffed up legs. It basically sat around the apartment covered by a blanket for several months before we dragged it to a small mom and pop upholsterer near our apartment. We paid $150-200 for the fabric, upholstery and refinishing of the legs. Not the most comfy but far better than previously. Looks amazing now! Slipper chair. Tufted. Piping.
http://www.modernresolution.com/album/editorial?p=1#2
@hannersk:
Would you be willing to give out the name of the Seattle-area upholsterer who disappointed you? I would like to *not* go to them with my wonderful but down-on-its-luck couch.
In Northern Europe, at least in Brussels, proper reupholstering (not recovering) will cost 2000€ (2500 USdollars) for a bergère armchair.
I am talking about the full reupholstering by a crafstman qualified to work on antique furniture, using traditional tecniques and noble materials such as virgin wool and horse hair for filling. Handstitching only. But that's for old-school aren't-we-Europeans-annoying-with-our posh-tastes work.
Recovering a modern armchair can be done for around 600 € fabric included. This is for stapling the fabric onto a woodplank bottom.
The two concepts are as far apart as haute couture and getting a J Crew dress shortened :)
Slipcovers are definitely a less expensive way to go when trying to reach a new look for your arm chair or sofa. Also consider purchasing a store bought slipcover and then starting a DIY project to fit it snug to your piece.
As for fabrics, many can be very expensive. Consider looking online for discount upholstery fabrics. You can find many name brand fabrics for less. Make sure the upholsterer you use accepts fabrics purchased by the client.
Good luck to all the DIYers!
I just purchased my first vintage chair- its a wooden chair and the cushion needs to be reupholstered, and the chair needs to be re-webbed. I believe the webbing is easy enough as a DIY, so I am going to attempt that. however, I need to take the cushion somewhere, has anyone spent time on the discount fabric websites? Do you think its worth it? the cost is SO much cheaper than regular price........
I got an incredible gilded, tufted, Hollywood Regency bench at an estate sale… it had been recovered in a truly hideous 80’s print. At the same sale I got an antique tub chair. My plan was to teach myself upholstery. How hard could it be?
Pretty hard as it turns out—I started with the tub chair, and it’s still sitting abandoned in a corner of the garage until I find time to take it to the upholsterer. The piping, edging, and all the strange curves nearly drove me insane. The bench I might have attempted, but the tufting made me think twice. I decided to slipcover…
Ouch! And THAT is why I have a crisp, white, waffle-weave shower curtain "slipcovering" my beloved wing chair. Bonus: It's washable, which is key with three dogs. Besides, I have two growing boys to feed. Family-1, Chair-0. Someday...
@DI2
Thanks for the Raleigh recommendation!
@ zenzie, I dont know about your specific situation, but my grandmother used to reupolster furniture. If you ordered fabric through her, you paid market price and she got the trade rate from the fabric supplier, so she could charge less for labor. If you brought your own fabric, she had to charge more for labor to make up for the difference. That could be the reason for the difference. Plus there is always the chance that the fabric you bought was difficult to work with, menaing it took longer to recover the piece.
I have a Plycraft lounge chair (replica of an Eames) that has a split in the vinyl that I need repaired - Mod Restoration in Brooklyn quoted me $1400 for labor alone to reupholster the chair and ottoman, vinyl or leather would have been an additional cost. I only paid $500 for the chair in the first place, so that was not a good option. Does anyone know if there is a reupholstery shop that could simply fix a tear without completely redoing the chair? I've seen kits to repair vinyl/leather tears on Amazon but am a bit nervous about trying it myself.
Attention DC people, G St Fabrics is currently offering 50% Off Home Decorating Custom Labor.
I live in Chicago and took a class at Truman College for $150 if you're willing to do it yourself! I was able to complete a small arm chair and a dining chair in the 10 or so weeks and the teacher was great!
This was such a great post. Just a good way to understand what costs are fair.
Anyway, anyone know someone in Dallas who does good *affordable* reupholstery work? Affordable being the key word
If you can sew garments, you might want to try making a slipcover. I made one for a complicated-shape chair (wing back, rolled arms, welting) and no one can tell it isn't professional. Even my mother couldn't find anything to criticize (except she thought I had too much fabric left over). Here's the idea that might make you decide this is doable: Buy a bunch of ultra-cheap muslin, and create your own cloth pattern via trial and error and pinning the parts together on the target chair. Once your pattern pieces fit, you can replicate the whole schmeer on the expensive fabric.
There's a great guy in Astoria who is VERY affordable. I'm not sure of his address (since he moved), but he has done great work for me and for other people I know. He reupholstered a chair for me for $300 (if I remember correctly), although I could tell he thought my Hable Construction dot fabric was a little crazy! He did two other chairs with cushion covers (the chairs have removable cushions on the bottom and back) for $200/chair.
It's been several years and no issues with the quality at all. His English is not great, so I find it easier to communicate in person.
Mike
(917) 662-6115 or (917) 662-6128
I took an upholstery class at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain (neighborhood of Boston) to reupholster two small chairs. The class was 3 hours a week for 10 weeks. When I started, I thought to myself, "What in the world am I going to do after I finish these chairs in the first few classes?" Little did I know how much work goes into reupholstery. After going to every single class for the entire 3+ hours I BARELY finished my chairs in time. But, they look amazing (wish I could attach pics) and the cost of the class ($300) made it a cheaper way to get it done. The classes were a bit disorganized but the teacher is a pro and will help you as much as he can. I'm nervous to try a project on my own but think I may have picked up enough skills to go for it...
http://www.eliotschool.org/
If you live in N. California, Triad Fabrics in Roseville has great deals on upholstery and drapery fabric. I've bought a lot there for all kinds of projects, but since it's all discount it is pretty hit or miss.
This was very interesting. I would love it if AT did more of this. With two kids, two pets and a small house where all our furniture is in heavy use, I am a huge proponent of (machine washable) slipcovering when possible. I recently priced out the slipcovering of a large wing chair I bought at a store going out of business several years ago. Love the chair. Hate the fabric. Here in Los Angeles there are many people who will do the job for around $300 to $400 - if you chose their fabric. The labor is around $200 if you chose your own fabric.
I have been looking for upholstery classes in Westchester NY for a while...Can any body recomend a place to do it? I live in Scarsdale New York.
Thanks!
Chiming in to ask for recommendations in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. I have a 1930's couch, chair, and footstool with solid walnut frames. I need a replacement cushion for the couch, so doing it myself isn't really an option.
(Saddest story about the cushion: when I picked up the furniture from its former owners, we loaded it into the back of a pickup truck. On the drive from St Paul back to Minneapolis, on the freeway in the middle of the city, we saw something fly out of the bed. "Is that a cush--" was interrupted by the sight of a semi truck plowing into the cushion. Feathers everywhere! Since then I've had two nice cushions and one stopgap cushion on the couch.)
It sounds like reupholstering my (stained and a bit saggy) sofa will cost more than I paid for it! I bought it in 1993, and still love its lines. Thanks for this post, though; very informative.
lgark [or other DC denizens] - please share contact info. I have a wonderful sofa that needs recovering,only 12 years old, the bones are fine, the cat just shredded one corner all the way down to wood. I'll try G street but have always found them overpriced and would rather pay a person.
tx,
In NYC, we recently used Estilo Upholstery on Rivington between Clinton and Attorney. They did a great job with our super-fake Eames lounge chair and ottoman, redoing both for $500 (we provided the fabric).
Good post,I would like to suggest people have the upholsterer measure the amount of fabric required,when he does his quote,as this could save considerable expense.A mohair velvet or silk damask,for example,may cost £200($300) per yard.
http://www.marcusspencer.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcus-Spencer-Upholsterer/341129572564273
Seems so expensive but if a piece is well-made....I am curious about pricing to refinish a couple furniture pieces. I have a beautiful large cedar chest that was my great grandmothers that I'd like to do but am nervous of the costs. Just need to bite the bullet.
Hi, everyone! Thaks so much for including bossy color in the article - upholstery is one of my favorite subjects. I wanted to weigh in on slipcovers : while they can be a dreamy, practical solution, be warned that very few upholsterers do slipcvoers as well. super annoying, but there it is. Good luck!
I am a professional slipcover / pillow maker for a chi chi design firm in Boston. A few months ago I made a chair slipcover and 2 down pillows for a friend. I only charged her $281.00 for all the work .... and she thought I was ripping her off. People don't understand all the design work and creativity that goes into this kind of construction, not to mention pattern matching and perfectly sewn zippers. This is an underappreciated skill set.
When I lived in Mexico, (Torreon), I had a couch and loveseat reupholstered for next to nothing, $400.00 for labor and fabric. That was about 15 years ago. There were many reupholster shops to choose from as well. If I had some large pieces to reupholster, I would be tempted to haul it down, have it done, and take a vacation while waiting.
@ xtina, everything you said is correct, I just didn't understand the first time he explained it to me. I have no regret having to pay the mark up in labor, Spicer did a beautiful job and I find myself staring at pictures of my newly reupholstered sofa on my phone. Sometimes I think my love for the "new" sofa is bordering on inappropriate.
I had my leather faux Eames chair redone in black buttery leather by an airplane upholsterer and the leather (a leftover from a private jet he did)... You may want to go off beaten path (Car/RV upholsterer!) - call a vintage car place and get some leads. They're experts with leather, piping, etc. Ottomon and chair were $400. OH YEAH.
Also, go out of the urban or suburban ares - we visited my parents in their tiny town and found this guy.
Can anyone recommend a good but fair upholsterer in San Francisco or Marin? I need to have a tufted, riveted ottoman done. Thank you!
I have found that a good chunk of the cost is the foam insert. Like sitting on gold, I tell ya. Wrote about my adventures here:
http://midcenturymodernlove.com/2012/02/10/cover-me/
To Stephrtw34, you can contact my shop, send me an email with a photo and we can give you a quote. website is www.michaelsupholstery.com.
We're in San Rafael
Julia White, I'd love to have you do my slipcovers!! Is there a way we can connect if you're interested?
It's official, I'm super cheap. I was quoted $265 for a chair and decided to just learn how to do it myself.
DC area folks, please share your contacts. for fabric, discount fabrics usa in Thurmont MD has great prices, and their remnant prices cant be beat - though often bolts of fabric are very short, however they may have 4 short rolls. yi fabric on parklawn in rockvill also has gorgeous stuff, but not as affordable as Thurmont, it is much closer in.
I'm a DIY person and was surprised--no, SHOCKED-- at the cost of re-upholstering furniture, too. That is, until I took classes (many, many, classes) and started my own business.
First of all, it can take several hours just to take the original materials off, especially with a carved wood vintage frame. Every tack and staple has to come out (dug out is more accurate) carefully so as not to damage the frame. It can be like freaking surgery! Springs may need to be re-tied, frames repaired, foam, cotton padding, webbing, cording, matching, tufting, buttons, overhead...and in my case, a recent tetanus shot after getting jabbed with a rusty spring. I was more concerned about not bleeding on the new fabric! Heavy-duty tools and an industrial sewing machine are costly, too.
I'd be interested in hearing what some of you think an upholstery job is worth.
I am SO not getting rich on my jobs. But I have the utmost respect for you other DIYers who have had good results with your own projects! Staple away, my friends.
Please post some info about that artwork. It is stunning!
blue_dolphin:
I believe the article states $75-$100 for dining chair, SEAT ONLY.
Would also like Ana's contact info... please post. tks
Very well written article. I have to agree with some of the comments, demographic has an influence on the price. In the Cincinnati area and compared to this article, I can see my prices being very competitive with the ones listed, perhaps too cheap at times for the work involved. It's very important to look for things like matching patterns, zippers, direction of the nap on fabrics like velvet, just to name a few. This should be a given part of the workmanship of the upholsterer. It is a dying art, and a good job is worth the investment. All these things play into how satisfied you will be in the end and for the period of time to come till you decide to recover it again. My studio is small (attached to my home) but I've worked for large companies similar to Calico Corners... you'd be amazed how they mark up the prices of the small businesses, but they also offer additional services most upholsterers won't. My goal is to give my clients more than just the upholstery work by helping through the process as a designer, seamstress, and upholsterer. If you can find someone like that in your area, you may be able to get a discount on future work for referring them. Small businesses need your support. Thanks again for the upholstery tips!
Someone asked for recommendations for upholstery shops in Austin, other than the good folks at Spruce. If you are not able to take a class with Paulette and Mike, former instructors at ACC, (Austin Upholstery School), then call Hannah at South House Texas, Dennis Ambrose on Buell, or Sabrina at Undercover Upholstery. There are other good folks who work independently, but as others have suggested, look at examples of work. There is one unnamed shop that charges much less, and is a favorite of the traders, but there is a reason they are cheaper-you can see it in their work.
Austin Community College (in Austin, of course) used to have a terrific upholstery class. I took it (actually had to take two sessions!) and reupholstered my grandmother's club chair completely from top to bottom. Total, including the class fee and a leftover bolt of lovely cotton velvet they had for $5/yard, I did the whole thing for a third of the going professional costs. It was great fun and I developed a great appreciation for good upholsterers.
Hi - Who did you use in the LA area? Great price!
Hi HippyVieja, I tried that email but it doesn't work? Does she have a number? Anyone else know any decent peeps in Houston just want window cushion slipcovers made?
We use only 1 upholsterer in our area of Athens, Ga. Michael Garrett of Thompson Upholstery Service. Whatever the project we think up, he has been able to handle. He is affordable, talented and capable. He has re-built pieces for us from the ground up, not to mention built other pieces from scratch. Could it get any better than that???
Anyone have anyone in Des Moines, Iowa?
We needed a new couch for our den when I happened across two wing chairs in a thrift shop. I phoned a couple of upholsterers before I bought and their honest opinion was it wasn't worth it just buy new. However there was something special about the chairs, they were old, larger than normal and quite low seats. I phoned my friend who taught high school textiles and she said "so what if new chairs cost same, if they look sound, fit what you need and you have the money go for it". She also recommended an upholsterer. That company said tell me about them including the bottoms. When I described how they were built she said they were very old and likely high quality and worth doing. In the end it was slightly cheaper than buying new but not much. However I have exactly what I want, they fit with our other antiques and suit our den better than a couch.