As with any project, weighing the pros and cons of upholstery can help determine if that is the right choice for you. The ultimate question is whether it’s worth reupholstering instead of buying new furniture. Here are a few of the benefits and disadvantages of reupholstering a piece of furniture.
Pros:
Preserving a family heirloom
Maintaining high-quality furniture in good condition
Reinventing an old piece of furniture
Keeping a piece of furniture from going to a landfill
Cons:
Spending (possibly) more than to buy a new piece of furniture
Finding out the frame is beyond repair
Waiting for the reupholstery work to be done
On average, the cost to reupholster furniture is about $720 per piece. However the price range to upholster a piece of furniture varies widely from about $380 to $1,150 or more, depending on the material type and availability, repairs needed, and the complexity of the project. Fabric costs typically range from $50 to $70 per yard while the cost of labor runs from $40 to $100 per hour.
Paying to reupholster a piece of furniture means you want to hire the right upholstery service, especially for a piece that’s expensive or carries a lot of sentimental value. In your search for the right upholstery company, be sure to:
Ask around to see if friends or family know of any upholsterers
Find reviews of the company or individual
Look at the photo gallery of their work to see if they work on furniture like yours and if you like their work
Check qualifications and references
Ask the upholstery service if they work on furniture like yours, what their schedule looks like, how they handle payments, and how long the job will take
Ongoing maintenance of your leather furniture is the only way to prevent it from peeling and cracking. Real leather will peel and crack as it dries out. Leather conditioners are a great way to protect your leather furniture from drying out, and you’ll need to apply it about twice each year. It’s also a good idea to keep abrasive materials away from your leather to prevent cracking and peeling, including belt buckles, shoes, and multi-surface cleaners, especially those that contain alcohol.
Furniture made from materials resistant to sun fading includes metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and wrought iron, as well as certain synthetic materials like polyethylene (commonly used in outdoor wicker furniture) and resin-based products. Glass tables and accents are also sun resistant. These materials inherently withstand UV rays and are less prone to fading or discoloration. Furniture with UV-resistant coatings or finishes, such as powder-coated metal or UV-protected plastics, offers enhanced protection against sun-induced fading.
The Sheboygan Falls, WI homeowners’ guide to upholstering services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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