Reupholster a sofa or armchair.

Whether it is a family heirloom or a designer sofa that has seen better days, a professional finish ensures your furniture meets modern safety standards and looks indistinguishable from a luxury showroom piece. This guide covers the essential costs, timelines, and regulations for your next project.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Initial Assessment: Evaluating the frame's structural integrity and measuring for fabric requirements.
• Stripping: Carefully removing old fabric, staples, and tacks to reveal the "bare bones" of the piece.
• Frame Repairs: Tightening loose joints, repairing springs, or replacing worn webbing.
• Internal Refurbishment: Replacing or topping up old foam, wadding, or feathers to restore comfort and shape.
• Fabric Application: Cutting, pattern-matching, and expertly tensioning the new fabric over the frame.
• Finishing Touches: Adding piping, buttons, studs, or decorative trim and applying fire safety labels.

Typical Costs

The cost of reupholstery varies significantly based on the size of the piece and the price of your chosen fabric. Professional labour reflects the high level of skill required for pattern matching and structural repairs.

Note: Prices include VAT and represent 2025/26 UK averages. Expect to pay a premium for leather work or intricate "Chesterfield" style deep buttoning, which is highly labour-intensive.

Always ask for a breakdown of "labour" vs "materials." Many upholsterers prefer to source the fabric themselves to ensure it meets fire safety standards and is suitable for the furniture's use.

How Long Does It Take?

• Footstool or Dining Chair: 1–2 days.
• Standard Armchair: 3–5 working days.
• 2 or 3-Seater Sofa: 1–2 weeks depending on complexity.
• Large Corner Group: 2–3 weeks.

DIY or Professional?

While small projects like dining chair pads are achievable for DIYers, full sofa reupholstery is a highly skilled trade. Professionals use industrial staplers, specialized tensioning tools, and have the expertise to handle complex curves and pattern matching.

Crucially, professional upholsterers ensure that all materials used comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988. Attempting a DIY job with non-compliant materials can pose a significant fire risk and may invalidate your home insurance.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Memberships: Look for members of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF).
• View Portfolios: Ask for "before and after" photos of similar pieces they have restored.
• Fabric Suitability: Ensure they can advise on the "Martindale rub test" score of fabrics to ensure durability.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Does your quote include new foam or just the top fabric?
  • Will you provide a fire safety certificate/label?
  • Do you offer a collection and delivery service?

UK Regulations

Upholstered furniture in the UK must meet strict fire safety standards. This is not optional for professional tradespeople.

• Fire Safety: All domestic furniture must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
• Interliners: If using certain natural fabrics (like 100% cotton), a fire-resistant interliner must be used.
• Labelling: The upholsterer should attach a permanent fire safety label to the piece upon completion.

Common Problems

• Hidden Frame Damage: Issues like snapped rails or woodworm are often only discovered once the old fabric is removed, leading to extra costs.
• Poor Pattern Matching: On striped or patterned fabrics, poor alignment across cushions and arms can ruin the aesthetic.
• Cheap Foam: Using low-density foam may look good initially but will "bottom out" and lose its shape within months.
• Incorrect Fabric Choice: Using "curtain weight" fabric for a high-traffic sofa will lead to premature wear and tearing.

Frequently Asked Questions