Upholstery Re‑covering Costs Scope of Works Survey & item log – note fabric yardage, paint sheen, frame repairs, fire‑label status and access for removal/re...
Re-covering upholstered furniture in the UK typically costs £300–£3,500 per piece depending on size, fabric choice and what needs replacing underneath. A simple dining chair seat re-cover starts at £40–£80; a full sofa re-cover with new foam and quality fabric runs into the thousands. The decision tree depends on whether the frame is sound — if it is, re-covering nearly always beats replacement.
Roughly 60-70% of the cost on a re-cover is fabric. The rest is labour, foam (if replaced), and any structural repairs. Choose your fabric first; the labour cost is relatively predictable per piece type.
Typical UK re-covering costs by piece
| Piece | Labour only | Fabric metres needed | Total typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining chair seat (drop-in) | £25–£60 | 0.5–0.8 m | £40–£100 |
| Dining chair (full re-cover) | £70–£140 | 1.5–2.5 m | £120–£280 |
| Carver / occasional armchair | £200–£400 | 5–8 m | £350–£800 |
| Wing-back armchair | £300–£550 | 7–10 m | £500–£1,200 |
| 2-seat sofa | £500–£900 | 10–14 m | £800–£2,000 |
| 3-seat sofa | £700–£1,300 | 14–18 m | £1,200–£3,000 |
| Corner / large modular | £1,000–£2,000 | 18–28 m | £1,800–£4,500 |
| Headboard (king/queen) | £100–£250 | 2–4 m | £180–£500 |
Fabric — the price-driver
Fabric per metre costs vary enormously. Rough UK price bands (2026):
- Budget £20–£40/m — basic polyester weaves, low-grade cottons. Wears poorly on heavy-use sofas.
- Mid-range £40–£80/m — quality cottons, upholstery polyesters, basic linens. Good for most domestic use.
- Premium £80–£150/m — designer prints, heavy linen unions, performance velvets. The sweet spot for sofas you keep 15+ years.
- Luxury £150–£400/m — Romo, Liberty, Designers Guild, GP & J Baker. Significantly higher labour utilisation matters because waste is more painful.
- Specialist £400+/m — silks, embroidered fabrics, mohair velvet. Generally for restoration of period pieces.
Always factor in pattern repeat — fabrics with large patterns need 10-30% extra metreage to align across cushions and arms.
What's typically included
- Strip down — remove existing fabric, fillings if being replaced, old staples and tacks.
- Frame inspection and repair — fix loose joints, broken springs, sagging webbing while everything is exposed.
- New foam / fillings — usually replaced if more than 8 years old (£60-£140 per cushion).
- Cut and sew — fabric cut following the original pattern, allowing for any new design changes.
- Apply to frame — staples, tacks, careful tensioning to avoid puckering or sagging.
- Cushion covers — new zipped covers fitted to existing or new foam.
- Trims and details — piping, contrast piping, buttons, studs as specified.
What you can change during re-covering
Re-covering is often the right moment to make changes:
- Different fabric, colour, pattern, texture.
- Add or remove buttoning.
- Change cushion firmness (different foam grade) or count (one-cushion to three-cushion configuration).
- Add piping, contrast trim, or remove existing detailing.
- Replace sagging webbing or springs.
What's usually impractical: changing the basic shape of the frame, increasing seat depth significantly, or moving arms.
Things people often miss
- Frame inspection first — before committing to re-cover, have an upholsterer inspect the frame. A creaking or twisting frame is a separate (sometimes uneconomic) repair on top.
- Pattern matching — adds 10-30% fabric requirement and requires more skilled cutting. Worth it for a striking pattern; budget accordingly.
- Fire labels — UK regulations require fire-retardant fillings and (in commercial settings) compliant fabric. Check the label specification with your upholsterer.
- Pet considerations — performance fabrics with stain protection (Crypton, Sunbrella, FibreGuard) cost 20-40% more but pay back with cats and kids. Worth specifying upfront.
- Lead times — busy upholsterers run 6-12 week queues. Order fabric early; some specialist fabrics take 2-4 weeks delivery from the mill.
- Cushion maintenance after — new foam takes 2-4 weeks to settle. Don't expect the cushions to feel exactly right immediately; give them time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does re-covering take?
Workshop time: 2-6 weeks depending on piece complexity and the upholsterer's queue. Add 1-4 weeks for fabric delivery, particularly if you're ordering specialist or made-to-order fabric. Total: typically 4-10 weeks from commission to completion.
How do I calculate fabric metreage?
Most upholsterers will measure for you (free or with a small consultation fee). DIY rule of thumb: armchair 5-8m, 2-seat sofa 10-14m, 3-seat sofa 14-18m. Add 20-30% for patterns or velvets where direction matters.
Will the re-covered piece look as good as new?
Often better — modern upholstery techniques and quality fabrics are usually superior to mass-production originals. The frame might be 30 years old but the finished piece looks brand new. The exception: if the frame has degraded structurally, the new fabric still sits on a wobbly base.
Can I supply my own fabric?
Yes — most upholsterers welcome customer-supplied fabric (COM = "customer's own material"). Confirm metreage before ordering to avoid waste. Some upholsterers add a small COM surcharge to cover handling and the fact they're not making margin on the fabric.
Is leather re-cover possible?
Yes, on properly designed sofa frames — but it's significantly more skilled and expensive than fabric. Allow £1,500-£3,500 for a 3-seat sofa re-cover in mid-range hide, more for premium. Many fabric-original sofas weren't designed for leather and don't transition well.
Should I replace foam at the same time?
Almost always yes for sofas over 8 years old. The marginal cost (£60-£140 per cushion) is small compared to the labour, and old foam in a freshly re-covered sofa just makes the new fabric sag faster. Re-cover and re-foam together.
Want a local pro to handle this? A specialist upholsterer will assess your piece, give you accurate fabric requirements, and turn it around in 4-10 weeks. Worth seeing 2-3 quotes — quality varies, and pricing on identical work can differ by 30-40%.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
