How much does it cost to reupholster a couch?

There is no fair average for your couch, because every piece is a different job. The price depends on the size and number of seats, how much fabric is needed and what type it is, whether the foam and padding are replaced, whether the springs, webbing or frame need repair, pattern matching on printed fabric, collection and delivery, and whether the work is done in a workshop or at your home. Ask two or three upholsterers for a written quote for the same work and the same fabric, then compare them line by line.

Is it worth reupholstering a couch, or should I buy a new one?

It is usually worth it when the frame is solid and the couch was well made in the first place: a hardwood frame, tied or sturdy springs and a shape you still like. It is rarely worth it when the frame is cracked, made of weak board, or the piece was cheap to begin with, because the work can cost more than the couch is worth. An honest upholsterer will look at the frame and tell you plainly if a new couch makes more sense. Be wary of anyone who never mentions that option.

Can I supply my own fabric?

Many upholsterers accept customer fabric, but ask first. They will tell you how much to buy, and the amount is often more than people expect, especially with patterned fabric that has to be matched across cushions and arms. Check that the fabric is made for upholstery rather than curtains or clothing, so it will stand up to daily use. In the UK, ask whether your fabric meets the fire safety rules for upholstered furniture, as the upholsterer may need it to be compliant or treated before they can use it.

Can a leather couch be repaired the same way?

Leather is a separate skill. Scratches, scuffs, cracking, fading and torn panels are often handled by specialists in leather repair rather than by a general upholsterer, although some workshops do both. A full re-cover in leather is possible but uses a material that is priced and cut differently from fabric. Ask whether the upholsterer works with real leather or faux leather, show them the damage in photos, and ask whether they would repair the panel, recolour it or replace it.

Does Hirovo check the upholsterers who reply?

No. Hirovo is a small platform in the US and UK and the number of upholsterers registered there is still limited. Posting a job is free. Upholsterers nearby can apply or message you, and in some areas replies may take time or may not come at all. Hirovo does not verify identity, run background checks, check insurance or confirm reviews. It is not an employer, agent or party to the work. You choose whom to invite and agree the price directly, so run the checks in this guide on anyone who responds.

Reupholstering a Couch: What Drives the Cost and How to Choose an Upholsterer

A tired couch with a good shape is often worth saving. New fabric, fresh foam and a repaired frame can make it look and feel like new. But reupholster couch cost varies widely, because no two couches need the same work. The fabric you pick, what is hidden under the old cover and how much has to be rebuilt all change the price. Choosing the right upholsterer is mostly about understanding the job before anyone strips the old fabric off.

This guide is for homeowners and renters in the United States and the United Kingdom. It covers what upholstery work involves, when a couch is worth redoing, how to choose fabric, what drives the cost, what a written quote should list and how to check the finished work. Where the rules differ between the two countries, there are separate notes.

What reupholstering a couch involves

“Reupholstering” covers several different jobs. Knowing which ones your couch needs makes it easier to compare quotes.

Re-covering: removing the old fabric and fitting new fabric to the frame, arms, back and cushions.
Foam and padding: replacing flattened seat foam, wadding and fibre so the couch sits firmly again. Sagging cushions are often a foam problem, not a fabric one.
Springs and webbing: re-tying loose springs or replacing stretched webbing that makes the seat dip in the middle.
Frame repair: regluing loose joints, fixing cracked rails or replacing broken pieces of the wooden frame.
Cushions only: new covers or new inserts for seat and back cushions, without touching the body of the couch.

Some problems only show once the old cover is off. A good upholsterer will tell you in advance what they will check and how they will let you know if they find damage the quote did not cover.

Is your couch worth reupholstering?

The deciding question is the frame. Upholstery work is mostly labour, and it costs much the same whether the couch underneath is excellent or poor. Reupholstering makes sense when:

The frame is solid wood and does not rock, creak or flex when you sit down.
The couch was well made, and you like its shape, size and comfort.
It has sentimental value, or a similar new couch would be hard to find.

It rarely makes sense when the frame is cracked in several places, made of soft board or staples, or when the couch was inexpensive in the first place. An honest upholsterer will look at the frame and say so plainly. If someone quotes for a full re-cover without asking about the frame or seeing the couch, ask why.

Choosing fabric: durability, cleaning and pattern

The fabric is the part you will see every day, and it is also one of the biggest items in the quote. Ask to see sample cards and take them home, so you can look at them in your own light next to your floor and walls.

Velvet: soft and rich in colour, but shows marks and pressure lines. Choose an upholstery grade made for heavy use.
Linen and linen blends: natural look, but can crease and stain more easily than synthetic fabrics.
Suede and microfibre: soft to the touch; microfibre is often easier to clean.
Faux leather: wipes clean, but cheaper grades can crack or peel over time.
Real leather: long-lasting, but a separate material with its own skills and pricing.

If you have pets or young children, ask for a tightly woven, hard-wearing fabric that is easy to clean, and ask how stains should be treated. Patterned fabric looks great but needs extra material so that stripes and motifs line up across the back, arms and cushions. That extra fabric is often wasted offcut, and it is a common reason two quotes differ.

UK fire safety: upholstered furniture supplied or re-covered as part of a business is covered by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Ask the upholsterer whether the fabric and fillings they use are compliant (fire-resistant or treated) and properly labelled. If you supply your own fabric, ask how they will make sure it meets the rules. US: there is no general licence for upholsterers, so judge them by photos of past work, a written quote and the warranty they offer.

Need a couch reupholstered or repaired?

Posting a job on Hirovo is free. Say what kind of couch you have, how many seats, what needs doing (fabric, foam, springs or frame) and whether you have your own fabric. Add photos of the couch and any damage if you can. Upholsterers nearby can apply or message you in the app. You compare them and decide.

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Reupholster couch cost: what drives the price

A figure you find online cannot price your couch. Two couches of the same size can be very different jobs. These are the items that move the number:

No two upholstery jobs are priced the same. Use this to compare quotes like with like.
Item	Why it matters	What raises the price
Size and seats	More seats and cushions mean more fabric and more labour.	Corner and sectional couches, deep or extra-long pieces.
Fabric amount and type	The yardage or metreage and the grade of the material.	Premium fabrics, real leather, extra fabric for wastage.
Pattern matching	Stripes and motifs must line up across the whole couch.	Large repeats, bold prints, careful centring.
Foam and padding	Flattened seats need new foam and wadding.	Higher-density foam, new back and arm padding.
Springs and webbing	A sagging seat may need re-tying or new webbing.	Hand-tied springs, broken springs replaced.
Frame repair	Loose joints and cracked rails must be fixed first.	Several broken parts, rebuilding sections of the frame.
Style details	Buttons, piping, skirts and pleats take time.	Deep buttoning, tight curves, channel stitching.
Collection and location	Workshop work usually means collection and delivery.	Long distances, stairs, work done at your home.

The fairest way to compare is to send every upholsterer the same details: photos of the couch from the front, side and back, its size, what needs doing, the fabric type you want or the fabric you have, and your address for collection. Then ask two or three of them for a written quote and compare them line by line, not just the total. A low total that leaves out foam or frame work can turn into a higher bill later.

How to choose an upholsterer

A clear written quote protects both sides. Ask for it by message or email before the couch leaves your home. It should say:

Exactly what is included: re-covering, foam, padding, springs, webbing, frame repair and cushions.
Labour, fabric, foam and collection and delivery as separate lines.
How much fabric is needed, which fabric, and who supplies it.
How they will tell you, and get your approval, if they find extra damage once the old cover is off.
When the couch will be collected and when it will be returned.
Any deposit, how much is due on delivery and how payment works.
What the warranty covers, such as seams, foam and frame repairs, and for how long.
What happens if the couch is damaged in transport or in the workshop.

Then ask a few direct questions:

Can I see photos of couches you have reupholstered, ideally with before and after pictures?
Will you check the frame and springs, and tell me honestly if the couch is not worth redoing?
Do you work with patterned fabric, and how do you plan the pattern?
Can I bring my own fabric, and how much should I buy?
UK: are your fabrics and fillings compliant with the fire safety regulations and labelled?
Do you carry insurance for furniture in your care and in transport?

In the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, so keep the written quote and any messages about extra work. In the US, there is no general licence to check, so past work, clear paperwork and a written warranty are what you have to go on.

Checking the finished couch

When the couch comes back, look at it in good light before you pay the balance:

Seams and piping are straight and even, with no loose threads or puckering.
The pattern lines up across the back, seat, arms and cushions.
The fabric is tight and smooth, with no wrinkles at the corners or arms.
Sit in every seat: it should feel firm and even, with no dips, creaks or loose springs.
Cushion covers zip or close properly and fit their inserts.

If something is not right, say so straight away and in writing, and ask when it will be fixed.

Using a free Hirovo job post

Posting a job on Hirovo is free. Describe the couch and what you want done, add photos, choose your area, and upholsterers nearby can apply or message you. Hirovo is a global platform and the number of upholsterers registered in the US and UK is still small, so replies may take time or may not come at all; use it alongside other ways of finding local services. Hirovo does not verify identity, insurance or reviews, and it is not an employer, agent or party to the work, so run the checks above on anyone who responds.

In short

Reupholstering is worth it when the frame is solid and the couch was well made; an honest upholsterer will tell you when it is not. The cost depends on size, fabric amount and type, pattern matching, foam, springs, frame repair and collection. Choose fabric that suits how you live, get two or three written quotes for the same work, and make sure the quote lists every item, the timeline and the warranty. In the UK, ask about fire-safe fabrics and fillings. Check seams, pattern and comfort before you pay the balance.