Upholstery Cost: What to Expect When Re‑upholstering Your Sofa
Thinking about giving your old couch a fresh look? Before you pick a fabric, you need to know the price picture. Upholstery isn’t just about a new cloth – it includes the material, labor, and any extra work like foam replacement. In Australia, a three‑seat sofa can run anywhere from $800 to $1,500 when you hire a professional.
The biggest cost driver is the fabric. A basic cotton blend might be $30‑$45 per metre, while designer leather or high‑performance synthetics can jump to $100‑$150 per metre. Measure your sofa carefully; most three‑seat pieces need about 6‑8 metres of fabric, so a cheap fabric could be $180 total, whereas a premium option might exceed $1,000.
DIY Upholstery Savings
If you’re handy, doing the job yourself can cut the price in half. The biggest expenses become the fabric and any new foam. Replacing cushion foam usually costs $30‑$60 per kilogram, and a typical sofa needs 8‑12 kg. That means a foam refresh adds $250‑$700 to your budget. The real savings come from labor – a professional upholsterer may charge $400‑$800 just for the install.
Tools you’ll need are simple: staple gun, upholstery thread, a good pair of scissors, and a foam cutter. Many DIY blogs recommend watching a few video guides before you start. Even if you’ve never stitched upholstery before, the steps are straightforward: remove the old fabric, pull out the staples, patch any frame damage, add new foam, then stretch and staple the new cloth.
Professional Pricing Breakdown
When you call a local upholsterer, they’ll usually give a quote that includes three parts: fabric cost, labor, and additional materials (foam, batting, new springs). Labor rates vary by city – in Melbourne you might pay $55‑$75 per hour, while in regional areas it could drop to $45 per hour. A full re‑upholster job typically takes 6‑10 hours, so expect labor to be $350‑$750.
Extra work can push the price up fast. If your sofa frame has broken dowels, you’ll need repairs – that’s another $100‑$300. Adding high‑density foam for extra comfort adds $200‑$400. Some people also opt for waterproof underlay for families with kids or pets; that’s about $50‑$100 extra.
To keep costs under control, ask for a detailed breakdown before signing any contract. Some upholsterers offer a discount if you supply the fabric yourself. Compare a few quotes and look at reviews – a cheap price isn’t worth a sagging couch later.
Bottom line: a professional re‑upholster job will usually sit between $1,200 and $2,000 for a standard three‑seat sofa, while a DIY approach can bring the total down to $400‑$800, depending on fabric and foam choices. Decide how much time you’re willing to spend and whether you enjoy a bit of hands‑on work. Either way, you now have a clear picture of the numbers so you can plan your sofa makeover with confidence.
