Is it cheaper to buy a new chair or reupholster?
This is one of the most popular question asked of professional upholsterers. The simple answer is it all depends upon the quality of the furniture you choose! Here is a great visual that uses car brands to help you understand the comparison between furniture brands.
It’s often said that you should get the best quality that you can afford. It’s good advice! If you are just starting out and don't have a lot to spend it's OK to purchase inexpensive furniture as long as you understand that you will be replaceing it in about 5-7 years. My sister brought in a Flexsteel sofa and chairs (which is in the middle of our comparison chart and great quality) that were 28 years old and were a sizable investment for her at the time she purchased them. They were still in excellent condition and ready to be reupholstered only because she wanted a change in color.
As I was looking at price comparisons. I found a basic club chair with a loose backrest cushion in brands that are shown in the middle of our comparison chart ( the Honda level) they were all averaging $1500-$3000. The chairs on the Cadillac and Bentley level are only purchased from designers and don't show prices online. However if you can find one used snatch it up! My customer found these French Louis XVI dining room chairs (In the Bently category) pictured below for sale on Craigslist from 2 different sellers. I painted the armless chairs to coordinate with the chairs that were already painted. We put a fun fabric on the back and stain resistant fabric on the seat!
Why is some furniture more expensive?
There are many reasons for the difference in cost from an upholsterers point of view! Here are just some of the basics. If we start on the inside and work our way out...
Some are built with solid wood where others can be built with plywood or particle board
Some are joined with dowels and others might be joined with staples
Some types of support springs can be more comfortable and "tied" together better to last longer than others
Some have dense foam that has an IFD rating of 2.5-3.3 and is expected to last 12-20 years and some have foam that has and IFD rating of 1.2-1.8 and is expected to last 5-7 years
Some have fabric that is rated heavy duty with durability testing of 55,000-100,000 double rubs where others have medium duty fabrics with durability testing of 12,000-35,000 double rubs
In the long run... Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new?
How much does it cost to reupholster a chair?
You could expect to pay approximately $1300-$2000 to reupholster a chair. The pricing is greatly dependent upon your fabric selection. In addition, it might need structural work done or it might have added details like decorative nails that add to the cost.
Another advantage of custom upholstery is the wide variety of fabrics to choose from. Literally thousands! You can also customize it to fit your own personality. Check these out!
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