Reupholstery service

Beyond simple aesthetics, professional reupholstery ensures your furniture remains structurally sound and compliant with modern safety standards. Whether it is a mid-century armchair or a traditional Chesterfield, a skilled upholsterer can transform a tired item into a bespoke centrepiece that outlasts modern "fast furniture" alternatives.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Initial Assessment: The upholsterer inspects the piece to identify structural weaknesses, loose joints, or damaged springs.
• Stripping: Careful removal of all old fabric, staples, tacks, and degraded foam or horsehair padding.
• Frame Repair: Tightening of wobbly joints, replacing broken dowels, and cleaning or polishing any exposed wooden legs or arms.
• Support Replacement: Renewing the webbing and re-tying or replacing coil springs to restore the original "bounce" and support.
• Padding and Stuffing: Adding high-density fire-retardant foam, polyester wadding, or traditional materials like coir and wool.
• Fabric Cutting and Fitting: Precise measuring and pattern matching of your chosen fabric, followed by expert tensioning and securing.
• Finishing Touches: Adding decorative trims, piping, deep-buttoning, or studwork to match the original style or a new design.

Typical Costs

The cost of reupholstery is split between labour and materials. While labour rates are relatively fixed based on the complexity of the piece, fabric prices can range from £20 to over £200 per metre, significantly impacting the final bill.

Factors such as the condition of the internal frame, the choice of natural vs. synthetic fillings, and the intricacy of the fabric pattern (which requires more material for matching) will all influence your final quote.

How Long Does It Take?

• Dining Chairs: Usually completed within 1–2 days, depending on the number of chairs in the set.
• Armchairs: Expect a turnaround of 1–2 weeks, including time for frame repairs and fabric fitting.
• Large Sofas: These typically require 2–4 weeks in the workshop, especially if specialist springs need ordering.
• Lead Times: Be aware that popular upholsterers often have a 2–4 month waiting list before your project can even begin.

DIY or Professional?

Simple projects like drop-in dining chair seats are excellent entry-level DIY tasks. However, complex pieces involving sprung seats, deep buttoning, or expensive fabrics should be left to professionals. A professional ensures the fabric tension is perfect and, crucially, that the piece meets UK Fire Safety Regulations.

Professional reupholstery is an investment in quality. While DIY can save money on simple items, a botched job on a high-end sofa can devalue the piece and result in an uncomfortable, unsightly finish.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Affiliations: Look for members of the AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishings) for guaranteed standards.
• View a Portfolio: Ask to see "before and after" photos of similar furniture styles they have worked on.
• Workshop Visit: If possible, visit their workshop to see the quality of materials they use internally, not just the outer fabric.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Do you provide a collection and delivery service?
  • Will you replace the foam/stuffing or just go over the old material?
  • Can you provide fire-retardant certificates for the materials used?
  • Is there a guarantee on the workmanship?

UK Regulations

• Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988: All domestic upholstered furniture must meet specific ignition resistance levels.
• Fire Labels: If you plan to sell the furniture later, it must have permanent fire safety labels attached; your upholsterer should ensure compliance.
• Interliners: If you choose a fabric that isn't inherently fire-rated (like some natural linens), the upholsterer must use a fire-resistant interliner to meet UK law.

Common Problems

• Hidden Frame Damage: Once the fabric is removed, "surprises" like woodworm or cracked rails can emerge, increasing the cost.
• Fabric Pattern Misalignment: Poorly planned cutting can lead to off-centre patterns or stripes that don't line up across cushions.
• Inferior Foam: Using cheap, low-density foam results in cushions that lose their shape and support within just a few months.
• Underestimating Fabric: Homeowners often underestimate the yardage needed, especially when matching large floral or geometric patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new?

Reupholstering a high-quality, solid wood frame is usually cheaper or comparable to buying a new piece of similar quality. However, it is almost always more expensive than buying "budget" flat-pack or mass-market furniture.

Can I supply my own fabric?

Most upholsterers allow this, but they may charge a "cutting fee" or "handle fee." You must ensure the fabric is suitable for upholstery and meets UK fire safety standards.

What is the difference between recovering and reupholstering?

Recovering simply replaces the top fabric layer. Reupholstering involves stripping the piece to the frame and replacing the internal paddings, springs, and supports.

How do I know if my sofa is worth reupholstering?

If the frame is heavy, made of solid hardwood (like beech or oak), and has lasted 10-15 years already, it is likely a candidate for reupholstery. Lightweight, stapled chipboard frames are rarely worth the investment.

Will reupholstering remove smells like smoke or pets?

Yes, provided you opt for a full reupholstery service where all old foam, fabric, and wadding are removed. The bare frame can also be treated to ensure no odours remain.