How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster a Sofa?

It is the very first thing people ask, and it is a totally fair question: what does it cost to reupholster a sofa? The honest answer is "it depends," and we know that is the answer nobody loves. So let us do better than a shrug. Here is exactly what drives the price, so you can ballpark your own couch and walk into your free estimate already knowing it is fair.

We also keep an honest pricing guide with ranges by item. This post explains the "why" behind those ranges so the number makes sense.

The four things that set the price

1. Size and number of cushions

A loveseat uses far less fabric and labor than a big sectional. Each separate cushion, both top and bottom, is its own little sewing project. More cushions and more length means more of both.

2. The fabric you choose

This is the variable you control most. Fabric ranges from budget-friendly to designer, and the difference per yard adds up fast on a big piece. A performance fabric that survives kids and pets is worth it; we help you choose wisely in how to choose the right fabric for your sofa. Fabric is usually quoted separately from labor for exactly this reason.

3. What is under the cover

A true reupholstery job is not just a slipcover. If the foam has gone flat or the springs and webbing are shot, rebuilding that is part of the work, and it is the part that makes the sofa feel new instead of just look new. Foam quality matters more than people expect, which we break down in Foam 101.

4. Custom detail and frame repair

Tufting, channel backs, contrast piping, skirts, and nailhead trim all take extra skilled hours. So does fixing a wobbly or cracked frame. Beautiful, but it adds to the labor.

You are not paying for a sticker price, you are paying for fabric by the yard and skilled hours by the piece. You only pay for what your sofa actually needs.

Reupholster or buy new?

Here is where it gets interesting. A lot of new furniture is built to be used up and tossed, with lightweight frames and thin foam. An older sofa with a solid hardwood frame, rebuilt and recovered, can outlast several cheap replacements, and you get the exact look you want. We walk through how to judge your frame in how to tell if your furniture is worth restoring.

There is a feel-good angle too. A reupholstered sofa is one that never becomes landfill. The EPA tracks how much furniture Americans throw out every year, and the numbers are rough. Keeping a good piece in service is the greener, and often cheaper, move.

When reupholstering is clearly worth it

• The frame is solid hardwood and still square.
• The piece is comfortable, sentimental, or a quality brand.
• You want a specific fabric or color you cannot find in stores.
• A comparable new sofa of the same quality would cost more.

See real transformations in our projects, and learn more about the process on our furniture reupholstery page.

Frequently asked

The real way to get your number is to let us see the piece. Send a few photos with rough dimensions and your fabric ideas, and we will give you an exact, free estimate. Start here and we will take it from there.