Furniture upholstery: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What furniture upholstery is

Furniture upholstery replaces the fabric, padding and webbing on chairs, sofas and cushions. A pro strips the old material, repairs the frame, cuts and sews new cover pieces, and fits them tightly. People call when a seat sags, a cushion has flattened, or the fabric is torn, stained or worn through.

Signs you need it

  • The seat or back sags, and the webbing under the foam has stretched or broken
  • The foam is flattened, crumbling or has lost its bounce
  • The fabric is torn, split along a seam, or worn through at the arms and corners
  • A spring or coil pokes through the surface or makes noise when you sit down
  • The frame wobbles or a joint loosens when you lift or lean on the piece
  • The old fabric is stained, faded or has a smell that cleaning will not remove

What the pro does

  • Strip the old fabric, batting and padding, and inspect the frame, springs and webbing
  • Repair the frame, tighten the joints and replace broken webbing or springs
  • Replace the padding, such as foam, batting or fiber, with the density the piece needs
  • Cut the new cover from a pattern, matching the grain or pattern repeat across the pieces
  • Sew the cover pieces and fit them over the frame, with the seams and welting placed correctly
  • Staple or tack the fabric tight, trim the excess and check the seat and back for even firmness

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Piece type, such as a dining chair, armchair, sofa or sectional
  • Fabric choice, including whether it needs a pattern match or is a heavy weave
  • Frame condition, and whether springs, webbing or joints need repair
  • Padding replacement, such as foam density or a new batting layer
  • Cushion work, which includes covering and filling
  • Trim, welting and buttons, which add time to the cover

What a written quote should spell out

  • Piece type, dimensions and the fabric chosen
  • Padding and batting materials, with the density or layers listed
  • Frame work, including springs, webbing and joint repair
  • Whether welting, buttons or trim are included
  • Warranty on the workmanship, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you repair the frame and the springs before you cover the piece?
  • What foam density do you use, and why?
  • Do you match a pattern across the cushions and the arms?
  • Will the fabric be fitted tight, without wrinkles?
  • Can you cover the cushions, or only the frame?
  • What fabric do you recommend for heavy daily use?
  • Does the warranty cover the seams and the stitching?

Red flags

  • New fabric stapled over a frame with broken webbing left in place
  • Foam that is too soft for the piece, which bottoms out within months
  • Seams sewn with thread too weak for the fabric
  • A pattern that does not line up across seams and arms
  • A quote with no padding or spring work listed

What you can do yourself

You can vacuum the upholstery, spot clean stains with a fabric-safe cleaner, and check the fabric for loose threads. Do not remove the fabric from a piece with springs or a tight frame without a plan, since springs can release with force. Call a pro for webbing, springs, padding or a full recover.

Licenses and permits

Furniture upholstery is generally not licensed as a trade. Check with your state or local licensing agency or business office for any business license that applies to paid work in your area.

Furniture upholstery questions

Can a sofa be reupholstered without replacing the frame?

Usually yes, if the frame is sound. The pro checks the joints and the springs first and repairs them before any new cover goes on.

Why does my cushion keep going flat?

A flat cushion usually has foam that is too soft for its use or has lost its resilience. A pro can replace the foam with a denser grade suited to the cushion.

How does infinibell work?

You describe the job and pick the pros you want by name. Only the pros you pick get your request, and your contact details go only to a pro you connect with. It is free for customers.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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