Repair a sofa leg.

Whether it is a stripped thread, a snapped wooden peg, or a loose mounting plate, most repairs can be completed in a single visit. This guide covers what to expect when hiring a specialist to restore stability to your seating.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Initial Inspection: Checking the leg, the mounting bracket, and the internal wooden frame for structural integrity.
• Hardware Replacement: Removing damaged T-nuts, threaded inserts, or mounting plates and installing heavy-duty replacements.
• Structural Gluing: Using high-strength wood glue and clamps to repair split wooden legs or splintered frame rails.
• Component Sourcing: Finding matching wooden or metal legs if the original is missing or beyond repair.
• Levelling: Adjusting all legs to ensure the sofa sits perfectly flat on your specific floor surface.
• Floor Protection: Fitting felt pads or glides to prevent the new or repaired legs from scratching hard floors.

Typical Costs

Prices are primarily driven by the "fix." A simple screw-in replacement is inexpensive, but if the internal wooden rail has snapped, the professional will need to peel back the upholstery dust cover to perform a structural repair.

How Long Does It Take?

• Tightening & Levelling: 20–30 minutes.
• Single Leg Replacement: 45–60 minutes (including fitting new inserts).
• Full Set (4–6 legs): 1.5–2.5 hours.
• Structural Frame Repair: 2–4 hours, depending on upholstery access.

DIY or Professional?

If your sofa has simple screw-in legs and the thread is intact, a DIY replacement is straightforward. However, if the wood is splintered or the metal "T-nut" inside the frame has pulled out, a professional is required to ensure the repair can hold the weight of multiple occupants safely. Professionals have the specific T-nut drivers and heavy-duty epoxies needed for a permanent fix.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Look for a furniture restorer, an experienced handyman, or an upholsterer.
• Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1 million) in case of damage to your home.
• Red Flag: Avoid anyone who suggests using "longer screws" into the frame without reinforcing it, as this often causes the wood to split further.
• Question: "Can you match the wood stain of my existing legs?"
• Question: "Will you need to cut into the upholstery or dust cover to reach the fixings?"
• Question: "Do you carry a variety of threaded inserts (M8 or M10) on your van?"

UK Regulations

• Fire Safety: If the repair involves replacing foam or internal padding, materials must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
• Waste: Ensure the tradesperson disposes of any broken metal or treated wood responsibly.

Common Problems

• Stripped Threads: The most common issue where the leg spins but never tightens; requires a new internal mounting nut.
• Mismatched Heights: Buying "universal" legs that are 1cm taller or shorter than the originals, causing the sofa to tilt and strain the frame.
• Softwood Frames: Cheap sofa frames made of MDF or soft pine can crumble around the leg fixing; these require metal reinforcing plates.
• Hidden Damage: A broken leg often hides a cracked "corner block" (the wooden triangle that holds the frame together), which must be fixed simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions