How Much Does Furniture Reupholstery Cost?

Is It More Affordable to Reupholster or Buy New?

Reupholstering may be environmentally friendly, but it’s usually not as kind to your wallet. This project often costs more than replacing the furniture. Read below to see the advantages of reupholstering and buying new.

Reasons to Reupholster

Here are a few reasons it may be a good choice to reupholster:

• Older, handcrafted pieces often last longer.

• Hardwood frames may have better construction.

• You love the piece and want to keep it.

• You can't find a new piece of furniture that matches this style.

When to Buy New

Since reupholstery usually costs more, there are times when you might be better off buying new:

• The piece is large, such as a sectional or living room set.

• The padding costs too much to replace.

• You have limited funds.

• You don't like the style.

• It has structural damage.

Upholstery Price Guide

Labor prices range from $40 to $100 per hour, not including fabric. Pros usually estimate a total that includes all the work instead of an hourly rate. For the average chair or couch, expect to pay around $500 to $1,000 per piece in labor.

Indoor Cushions

Upholstering indoor cushions typically costs around $50 to $130. For smaller cushions and budget-friendly fabric, expect to pay around $50. Larger cushions, such as bolsters and floor cushions, and those made with high-end materials will run you $130 or more.

Outdoor Cushions

Reupholstering outdoor cushions costs between $50 and $500. If you need to upholster a simple garden seat pad, you'll pay toward the lower end. However, recovering more oversized or lounge cushions will cost more. Water- and UV-resistant fabrics and stain guard products can further bump up the price but also improve the longevity of the item.

Restaurant Booth

The price to reupholster a restaurant booth ranges from $100 to $500. Seating with a wood or metal back runs around $100 to $200, while a padded back and seat upholstery cost approximately $200 to $500. Fabrics that are puncture-resistant or easy to wipe clean may add $50 to $100 to the total.

Ottoman 

The price to reupholster an ottoman is between $300 and $700. A small piece with little decoration costs the least. On the other hand, premium fabrics or features like diamond tufting run more.

Chair

Reupholstering a chair costs anywhere from $45 to $1,660. The wide price range is due to the size and type of chair and the fabric you choose. The larger the chair, the more material is required to cover it. And the longer it takes to complete the restoration, the more you pay. 

Also, keep in mind that if you're working on a tight budget, you can find clearance upholstery fabric for $10 per yard or less. On the other hand, if you're going for something super special and budget is less of an issue, you can splurge and spend $100 per yard on fabric.

Headboard

Headboard reupholstery typically costs anywhere from $200 to $2,000. Small frames with a basic shape and inexpensive fabric run less. By comparison, a large or complex design may reach the top of the range.

Chaise Lounge 

Putting new upholstery on a chaise lounge costs as little as $900 or as much as $1,500. These pieces average less than couches because they often don’t have a back or loose cushions. Antique styles with a curved back or tufting usually fall on the higher end.

Leather

Reupholstering a couch or chair in leather costs around $100 to $4,000. Smaller pieces and low-quality leather are on the lower end of the price range, while larger pieces like Chesterfield sofas and those that use high-end leather can cost $4,000 or more.

Because real leather isn’t woven, it often comes in smaller pieces priced at $4 to $15 per square foot. Find out whether the manufacturer sets prices by the yard or the foot since that can dramatically affect the total cost.

Couch 

Reupholstering a couch costs approximately$600 to $4,000. You’ll pay $600 to $2,000 for a loveseat compared to $2,000 to $4,000 for a sectional. Larger sofas or pieces with loose cushions also run more.

Furniture Reupholstering Cost Factors

For most homeowners, the project cost determines whether they reupholster their furniture piece. The average price is about $680 per piece, but what you pay depends on factors like the size, fabric choice, and the frame's condition.

Fabric Prices

Fabric costs average $10 to $100 per yard. More affordable or pricier options range from under $10 per yard to over $200 per yard.

Material choice creates the biggest variation in the total expense. If you need 12 yards of fabric at $50 per yard to cover an average-size couch, you’ll pay $600. Selecting a high-end option at $100 per yard will cost you $1,200, not including labor.

Pattern matching can also add another $100 in labor costs, depending on your chosen material. An excellent way to minimize labor costs is to choose a single color with no pattern. 

Pet-Proof Fabric

Cats and dogs can wreak havoc on upholstered furniture. A lot can go wrong with claws, muddy paws, and shedding fur. You need a fabric that's resistant to claws and staining and easy to clean. Microfiber, performance weave, and denim are all good choices. 

Avoid jacquard and brocade fabrics with a lot of embellishment that can snag easily. You may also get your pro to apply an upholstery or stain guard, although this can add another $50 to $100 in labor costs.

Existing Condition

Reupholstery often requires cleaning or repairs that may increase the total. Here are a few services you might need before you can start this project:

• Cost to clean upholstery: $130–$230

• Price to refinish furniture: $350–$900

• Cost to repair furniture: $130–$280

Transporting the Furniture

Reupholstering furniture can take up to a month, so you’ll typically need to transport it to the shop. Some pros will do it for you at $100 to $300 per piece. This may not include delivery once the work is complete.

If you decide to move it yourself, make sure you know how to lift and carry furniture without damaging it. Breaking a chair leg or gouging a wood armrest could add $200 to $300 to the total.

Repairing the Frame

Repairing the frame costs around $200 to $400. Once you remove the fabric and padding, you may discover damage that needs fixing. Many upholsterers provide this service for an extra charge. If they don’t, you may need to hire a local carpenter.

Fixing Tufting and Nailheads

Adding decorative tufting or nailheads can cost $100 to $500 or more. The extra work takes longer, which raises the total labor price. It can also increase the amount of fabric needed by 20% to 30%.

Welting or Piping

Welting or piping costs anywhere from $50 to $600. It requires anywhere from 1 to 4 yards of fabric and several hours to cut and sew. 

Antique Furniture

Upholstering antique furniture may cost thousands more than the average. Antique wood framing often needs special treatments to repair cracks or avoid removing the original stain. If you want to use a classic fabric like chintz or silk, you may pay $100 to $200 per yard.

Although upholsterers are accustomed to working with old furniture, not all pros know how to handle antiques. To avoid causing permanent damage, ensure the pro you hire has experience taking care of pieces the same age and style as yours.

In-House Work

For larger, antique, and difficult-to-move furniture, consider having the work completed in your home rather than transporting it to a workshop. While you'll save on shipping and delivery costs, you'll still pay $50 to $100 per hour in labor, and the pro may also charge travel expenses and time. 

Additionally, after the initial inspection and consultation, your pro may be unwilling to work in your home if the job is complex or delicate. Instead, they may insist on taking the item to their workshop.

DIY vs. Hiring a Reupholstering Professional

With labor costs ranging from $500 to $1,000 for the average piece, you might wonder if it’s better to DIY or hire a professional upholsterer. Most of the time, you’ll want to have a pro do the work. Fabric can make up more than half of the total, so hiring a pro may not be much more expensive than DIY.

Some projects, like reupholstering a single dining chair seat, may be relatively simple for a handy homeowner. Others, like a couch with loose cushions, can be difficult and take you days to complete.

After you find a few furniture upholstery services near you, be sure to:

• Show pictures of the piece from multiple angles.

• Describe in detail what you want done.

• Get at least three quotes.

FAQs

What is reupholstery?

Reupholstery is the process of removing and replacing the fabric on a piece of furniture. The pro does the following:

• Strips old material and padding

• Examines frame and springs for damage

• Repairs or replaces hardware

• Places new padding

• Applies new fabric and trim

Who reupholsters furniture?

Professional upholsterers provide this service. They may operate as independent contractors or in an upholstery company.

How much do custom slipcovers cost?

Custom slipcovers cost approximately $200 to $1,000 for a chair or couch. They usually run less than reupholstery but more than a ready-made slipcover.

How does reupholstering furniture work?

Reupholstering involves removing old fabric, then inspecting and potentially replacing padding, springs, and webbing. Reupholsterers may also check, fix, or report on joints and other structural elements. Once this is complete, they'll recover your item in the fabric of your choice.

How can I save money on upholstering my furniture?

There are a few ways you can save money on upholstering your furniture. The most obvious way is to complete the project yourself if you have the right tools and go slowly and carefully. Remember that you could irreparably damage the item if you make a significant mistake. Shopping around for fabric is also a smart way to save money. Keep an eye out for flash sales and clearance deals on upholstery fabric you like. 

As mentioned earlier, choosing simple, single-color fabric reduces labor costs and material waste since there's no pattern matching involved. Transporting your furniture to and from the workshop can also save money, as can having multiple items upholstered at once. While the total cost may be more, you'll likely get a good volume discount, reducing the cost per item.