Is it worth the cost to reupholster old furniture?

Yvette Bonilla knew she could have bought new furniture for less than the $6,000 it cost to reupholster her old furniture.

But the Atlantic Beach, N.Y., resident liked her old furniture — a sofa, two club chairs, a side chair and six dining room chairs — and wanted to maintain the set.

Another reason: Quality. Her older furniture still felt sturdy, and she knew the couch and chairs would last longer than newer, cheaper pieces of furniture.

“It really came down to the quality,” she says.

Consumers should consider the quality of furniture and its sentimental value before deciding whether to reupholster or replace, according to highly rated furniture repair companies. A new couch or chair might cost less than reupholstery but not last as long as older, quality furniture.

Consumers need to consider the following factors when deciding whether to repair or replace their worn couches and chairs:

What’s the cost comparison?

Reupholstery can cost just as much as buying new furniture, depending on the work required and fabric used, says Vitian Robinson, owner of highly ratedVitian’s Re-upholstery in Indianapolis, Ind.

For example, if you need a single cushion re-stuffed and reupholstered because your puppy chewed it up, the job may cost about $80. But if your couch needs a full overhaul that involves re-stuffing, reupholstery and repairs to springs or backboards, the job could cost between $700 and $1,200, or more.

Fabric drives the cost, with a typical sofa using about 13 yards of fabric and a typical chair using about 7 yards of fabric, Robinson says. Upholstery fabric typically costs between $20 and $70 per yard or more, depending on quality. So the reupholstery of a typical sofa could cost between $260 and $910, or more, for fabric alone.

The amount of fabric affects labor costs — more fabric means more labor. Intensive or special reupholstery work, such as the following, can increase labor costs:

• Working on couches with zippers.
• Attaching, replacing or fixing welt cords, or fabric cords that outline the seams of cushions and pillows.
• Making sure that shapes and patterns align.
• Tufting, forming patterns by threading through fabric and tying the ends with buttons or knots.

Whether the cost of reupholstery is worth it depends on the quality and sentimental value of the furniture, says Dan Kim, owner of highly rated Pro Furniture Doctor in Manassas, Va.

What’s the quality of the furniture?

Consider keeping that couch or stuffed chair if the furniture remains sturdy with a quality frame, Robinson says.

Typically, frames last longer in chairs and sofas built 10 to 15 years ago or longer, Kim says. “Old furniture is always better built,” he says.

What’s the quality of the furniture?

Consider keeping that couch or stuffed chair if the furniture remains sturdy with a quality frame, Robinson says.

Typically, frames last longer in chairs and sofas built 10 to 15 years ago or longer, Kim says. “Old furniture is always better built,” he says.

Many manufacturers lowered their standards in recent years by using woods previously unsuitable for furniture frames, Robinson says. Manufacturers often assemble frames with staples and fast-drying epoxy, as opposed to older furniture, built with strong hardwood and screws, she says. Screws last longer because they don’t loosen as easily as staples.