Planning upholstery work: covers, construction and costs
A new cover changes appearance; renewed padding can improve comfort and shape. These are different jobs. Describe the furniture, observed condition and intended result. The upholsterer assesses what can be retained and what work is appropriate.
Distinguish recovering, repadding and repair
Recovering renews the visible outer covering. Repadding also concerns foam, filling or support. Both may be needed; an open seam or damaged cushion may only need a limited repair.
Loose seat and back cushions or headboards can be made to measure. Cleaning, timber restoration and an electric recliner’s mechanism are distinct services, included only where agreed.
| Work | Clarify the boundary |
|---|---|
| Recovering | Replace the cover; check internal condition separately. |
| Repadding | Work on foam, filling or suspension; clarify the covering. |
| Local repair | Identify the affected seam, area or component. |
| Custom cushion | Agree quantity, shape, known dimensions and use. |
Describe the furniture without dismantling it
Give items, quantities and sagging, torn or damaged areas. One combined list is enough for different pieces. Known dimensions and model references help but are not prerequisites for the first request.
A soft seat does not establish that only the foam is worn. Webbing, springs or the frame can be involved. The professional should examine the construction and agree additional work before undertaking it.
For antique or unusual furniture, clarify original structure and appearance to retain. Do not remove layers yourself to investigate. Photos and information may be requested later without requiring a technical diagnosis.
Select covers for use and care
Fabric, leather and synthetic leather differ in surfaces and care. Assess sample feel and colour in the room. A replacement section can differ from aged material; an invisible partial repair is not automatic.
Abrasion resistance, pilling, lightfastness and colourfastness to rubbing are different properties. A high abrasion-cycle count predicts neither whole-furniture lifespan nor resistance to every stain. Discuss everyday use, sun exposure, business premises or outdoor conditions.
If supplying fabric, have suitability and quantity checked before purchasing. Pattern repeat, width and cutting affect consumption. Removable covers are not automatically machine washable: material and instructions determine care.
Agree comfort and internal construction
Comfort arises from shape, thickness, material and support. Foam density and firmness are different figures. You need not select technical values: describe a seat that feels too soft, firm or uneven.
Modern foam and traditional construction with springs or natural fibres are different methods. Not every workshop offers all of them. For an inherited piece or special construction, agree the intended technique and existing structure.
New cushions need shape, final dimensions, attachment and cover agreed before manufacture. Approximate details help initially but are not checked production measurements. An existing cushion or template can be used later.
Clarify workshop or on-site work
Many substantial jobs need a workshop. Loose cushions can be brought in; large furniture may need collection and return. Agree carrying, protection and responsibilities without assuming free collection.
Fixed benches and local repairs may need different arrangements. The professional assesses whether on-site work is suitable. For a business, coordinate opening hours, stages and temporarily unavailable seating.
Mention floors, narrow stairs and known dismantling options. If only loose cushions need work, moving the whole sofa is not automatic. Agree return timing and how long the piece will be unavailable.
Compare the same upholstery work
Shape, quantity, fabric consumption, sewing details and internal condition determine effort. A simple seat cover differs from a complete armchair rebuild. Patterns, special shapes, buttons or piping can add labour and material.
A Swiss catalogue revised in March 2026 lists CHF 120 including VAT for a cushion up to 46 × 46 cm, 3 cm foam and zipped cover using customer-supplied fabric. Fabric purchase, extras and transport excluded: a product example, not a Swiss average.
Separate covering, internal padding, frame work and transport. A fabric price per metre is not the finished furniture price. Compare complete costs, condition, usefulness and personal value with replacement rather than assuming reupholstery is always cheaper.
| Item | Check in the quote |
|---|---|
| Materials | Fabric, filling, cutting waste and suitable quantities. |
| Labour | Removing covers, sewing, padding and assembly. |
| Additional work | Frame, mechanism, cleaning and disposal by agreement. |
| Total | Collection, return, VAT and unconfirmed findings. |
Check before commissioning and buying materials
A short discussion avoids unsuitable orders and unclear expectations. For local repairs, discuss possible differences in appearance.
- Scope. Identify items, quantities and affected parts.
- Result. Specify covers, comfort and original components to retain.
- Material. Agree sample, care, supplier and quantity.
- Logistics. Assign workshop or site work, carrying and return.
- Additional work. Agree handling of damage discovered after opening.
From the request to renewed furniture
Work and timing depend on findings, method and material availability. Furniture type alone does not establish a fixed duration.
- Describe the project. Provide furniture, quantity, condition, requested work and location.
- Clarify condition and material. Assess construction, choose samples and agree scope.
- Approve the work. Agree price, materials, transport and additional findings.
- Receive the result. Check covering, comfort and agreed details; obtain care guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does upholstery work cost?
Furniture, scope, internal condition and material determine cost. Compare covering, padding, additional work and transport for the same job. A fabric or cushion price is not a complete furniture-restoration price.
How do recovering and repadding differ?
Recovering replaces the outer cover; repadding concerns filling, foam or suspension. Assessment often establishes whether one or both jobs are needed.
Must I know the internal damage?
No. Describe observations and the improvement you want. The upholsterer investigates; you do not need to open the piece yourself.
Can I provide my own fabric?
Yes where suitable for the construction. Have material and quantity checked before buying or cutting. Pattern, width and sewing details affect requirements.
Is furniture collected or repaired on site?
It depends on construction and work. Workshop service, bringing items yourself and on-site work need separate agreement. Collection, carrying and return are not automatically included.
Is reupholstery worthwhile?
Assess condition, offered work, usefulness and personal value. It can be sensible but is not cheaper than replacement for every item. Compare complete costs.
