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Anyone gone down the re-upholstery route for a sofa?

Hi all,
Sorry if this is in the wrong place!


Has anyone got any recent(ish) experience of having a sofa reupholstered?


We have an old/vintage/lumpy sofa that we really like, BUT it's in dire need of some attention and I'm terrified it's going to cost a small fortune to do.


Trying to weigh up the pros and cons of getting this old but probably decent quality sofa redone vs getting a new one on the cheap. I pretty much dislike all affordable modern sofas and nothing seems built to last these days but we're skintypoos.
I'd keep putting it off if it wasn't for the fear this one might give up on us completely.


I am a coward :rotfl: Starting to approach a few places for quotes but just wondered if anyone had gone through the same thing and what decisions you'd made.


Thanks!
Living thriftily ;) most of the time

Comments

  • A friend of mine went to a re-upholstery class and learnt how to do it herself. Is that a possibility as it would save you a fortune
  • laurathree
    laurathree Posts: 121 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    A friend of mine went to a re-upholstery class and learnt how to do it herself. Is that a possibility as it would save you a fortune

    Quite right. If you're totally skint, re-upholstry DIY would be the way to go (I got a ballpark estimate a couple of years ago for reupholsty and it was terrifying - about twice the cost of the original sofa). It largely depends on the style of the sofa (photo?) but new padding, fabric, and a tidy staple gun may be your new best friends.
    Museum worker who'd rather be in the garden.
  • Dormouse1940
    Dormouse1940 Posts: 484 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I'm pretty handy with fabric etc, so I did consider this, but it's a vintage deco button back monstrosity so I think it's outside of my capabilities.


    Which is a shame, coz the cheapest quote I've had back has been for over a grand!


    So... anyone want to take an old couch off my hands?! Lol
    Living thriftily ;) most of the time
  • medsdemon
    medsdemon Posts: 761 Forumite
    If you found a good deal on a fabric ( some places on ebay or similar sell upholstery fabrics really cheap) that could save you a heap of money and then pay an upholsterer to do it for you. Depending on style it would be between £300-600 where I work to get it done and it is usually well worth it compared to modern sofa quality of a new one
    Grocery challenge October: £228.28/£250.00 NSD 4 ( not completed)
    Grocery challenge November : £291.65/300.00 NSD 10
    Grocery challenge December : £0/240.00 NSD
  • chookmom
    chookmom Posts: 74 Forumite
    I also found the price shocking when I made an enquiry. I was told that half the expense was in the stripping down which is time consuming as needs to be done carefully. May be you could do this bit yourself.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    My parents had a sofa recovered 20 years ago, some local chap with a small/shabby old workroom behind a garage (so not posh). Sofa wasn't anything great. £700 they were taken for! I was furious. It was a "square", so easy, sofa and they'd not have picked any special fabric (just regular short/cheap velvet (not real posh velvet).
  • Hi Dormouse,

    Not sure where you are located, but try bafra.org.uk for recommendations for furniture restorers. I used to work in boutique country house hotel and we used to use a local company that did great job. Be brave and try a modern colour scheme - you may be surprised. I remember one particular antique chaise longue we had done in grey and pink fabric - all the wedding guests and customers used to say how lovely it was. If I remember right, it was only a couple few hundred pound - good value for money for sure.
  • Dormouse1940
    Dormouse1940 Posts: 484 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I live in a town historically known for it's furniture makers so getting quotes hasn't been too problematic. Getting quotes that didn't make me want to hyperventilate on the other hand...


    After much careful though we've decided to part with the beast. Well, try to part with it... if anyone will take it ;)
    A real shame, but I just really can't justify the cost at the moment (or, indeed, for the foreseeable future).


    Thanks all for your input though, not an easy decision but the right one I hope...
    Living thriftily ;) most of the time
  • Francesanne
    Francesanne Posts: 2,081 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    We had a favorite armchair re-upholstered over 25 years ago and it cost a couple of hundred in those days.
    Cheaper opting for new sofa or have a go yourself.
  • silverwhistle
    silverwhistle Posts: 4,054 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    My mum lives just to the South of you Dormouse, south of the Thames and she's having some re-upholstery done right now at a place in/near Maidenhead - can'r remember the name - begins with 'P' ISTR.

    But yes, I was surprised at the cost and I can understand your decision. Still, I've told my mum to spend my inheritance and she's taking me at my word. (joke!)
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