Upholstery Price: What You Really Pay for Reupholstering Furniture
When you think about upholstery price, the cost to re-cover or restore furniture with new fabric and padding. Also known as reupholstering, it’s not just about swapping fabric—it’s about rebuilding the support, springs, and structure under the surface. Most people assume it’s cheaper to buy new, but that’s not always true. A solid wooden frame from the 1980s can outlast ten cheap modern sofas. Reupholstering gives it a new life without the landfill guilt or the low-quality foam you get in budget stores.
So what drives the upholstery price, the cost to re-cover or restore furniture with new fabric and padding. Also known as reupholstering, it’s not just about swapping fabric—it’s about rebuilding the support, springs, and structure under the surface. The biggest factor? fabric choice, the material used to cover furniture, ranging from basic cotton to high-end leather and performance textiles. A simple cotton blend might run £20 per yard, but a durable, stain-resistant performance fabric can hit £60 or more. Then there’s chair reupholstery, the process of restoring dining chairs, armchairs, or accent seats with new fabric and padding. It’s often cheaper than sofas because it uses less material and takes less time—sometimes under 5 hours. But a large L-shaped sectional? That’s a 20+ hour job, and it shows in the final bill.
Labour isn’t just hourly—it’s based on complexity. Removing old fabric is easy. Fixing broken springs, replacing sagging webbing, or rebuilding the cushion core? That’s where the real work starts. A skilled upholsterer won’t just slap new fabric on a ruined frame. They’ll assess the structure, replace what’s worn, and make sure it lasts another decade. That’s why you pay more for quality. You’re not just paying for cloth—you’re paying for craftsmanship that turns a tired piece into something you’ll keep for years.
And don’t forget the hidden costs. Some shops charge extra for foam, thread, piping, or zippers. Others include it all. Ask for a full breakdown before you sign anything. The best upholsterers will show you samples, explain why one fabric lasts longer than another, and tell you exactly what’s inside your furniture. This isn’t magic. It’s trade knowledge—and it’s worth paying for.
Below, you’ll find real examples of what people actually paid to restore their sofas, chairs, and even vintage armchairs. No guesswork. No marketing fluff. Just honest cost breakdowns from UK homeowners who did it right—and saved money by knowing what to ask for.
Sofa Cushion Reupholstering Costs: What to Expect in 2025
Curious about the cost to reupholster a sofa cushion? Find out what impacts pricing, get tips on choosing fabrics, and see 2025's average costs and trends here.
