Armchair recovery costs depend on the chair’s size, fabric choice, and condition of the frame underneath. A fixed quote from a local upholsterer will account for these factors within 48 hours of inspection. Herd Upholstery works across Barking, Dagenham, Ilford and East London, collecting your chair, recovering it, and returning it — with no hidden charges and no middleman markup.
What factors determine armchair recovery cost?
The price of recovering an armchair rests on four measurable things: the chair’s surface area, the fabric you choose, the condition of the internal frame, and whether repairs to the structure are needed. A small wingback will use less fabric and labour than a large club chair with deep buttoning. A simple, plain weave costs less than a patterned fabric that must be matched across seams and panels. If the frame is solid and the springs intact, recovery is straightforward. If the webbing has sagged, the springs are broken, or the timber is split, those repairs add to the cost and the time.
The upholsterer cannot quote a price sight unseen. A genuine fixed quote requires a physical inspection — either in your home or at the studio — so the craftsman can measure, assess the frame condition, and understand what work is actually needed. This is why reputable upholsterers ask for a visit before naming a figure.
Why does fabric choice affect the total cost?
Fabric is often the largest single cost in recovery. The price per metre varies widely: a sturdy cotton blend costs less than linen; a linen costs less than wool; a patterned velvet costs more than a plain one because pattern-matching wastes material. An armchair typically uses between 2 and 4 metres of fabric, depending on size and design. If your chair has arms, a back, cushions and a skirt, the calculation is precise — the upholsterer measures the existing cover or calculates from the frame dimensions.
You also have the option to supply your own fabric. Many homeowners source a favourite textile online or from a high street shop, then bring it to the upholsterer. This can be cheaper, but you bear the risk of shrinkage or dye-lot variation, and you must buy enough — the upholsterer will tell you the yardage required at the quotation stage.
What happens if the frame needs repair?
During inspection, the upholsterer will check the wooden frame for splits, loose joints, woodworm or rot, and test the springs and webbing by hand. If the frame is weak or the springs are shot, those parts must be fixed before the new cover goes on. A frame repair — re-gluing a joint, replacing broken springs, re-webbing the seat — adds time and materials, so it increases the final cost.
This is why recovery is not always cheaper than buying new. A beloved armchair with a solid frame and intact internals is an ideal candidate for recovery at good value. A chair with structural damage may cost more to repair and recover than a new one would cost to buy. The inspection tells you which applies to yours.
How does the recovery process affect pricing?
A straightforward recovery — stripping off the old cover, inspecting and cleaning the frame and innards, and fitting a new cover — is priced accordingly. A more complex job, such as one with piping, buttoning, or multiple cushions, takes longer. Hand-stitched seams take longer than machine-sewn ones. A chair with a skirt (the fabric panel around the bottom) requires more measuring and fitting than one without.
Herd Upholstery collects your chair from your home, studio, pub or restaurant in Barking, Dagenham, Ilford and East London, or within reach into Essex. The collection and return are factored into the quote. The craftsman works on-site at the studio, and you receive a fixed price — not an estimate that balloons on completion.
What should you expect from a quotation?
A proper quote is specific to your chair. It itemises the labour (measured in hours), the fabric cost (calculated from measured yardage), any frame repairs or materials, and the collection and delivery. A reputable upholsterer will give you this within 48 hours of seeing the chair. The quote is fixed — the final invoice should match it, unless you request a change during the work (for instance, upgrading the fabric or adding hand-stitching).
Ask the upholsterer to explain the quote clearly. You should understand what is included, how long the work will take, and when you will get your chair back. If a price seems unusually low, ask why: the upholsterer may be cutting corners on materials or labour, or may not have spotted hidden damage. If a price seems high, ask what adds to the cost. A transparent upholsterer will answer both questions.
When is armchair recovery worth doing?
Recovery is worth considering if the frame is sound, the chair is comfortable and fits your space, and the cost of recovery is meaningfully less than buying a new chair of equivalent quality. A well-made vintage or mid-century armchair, or a piece of sentimental value, is often a good candidate. A modern flatpack chair with a weak frame probably is not.
For business owners running a pub, restaurant or café, recovering booth seating or banquette chairs avoids the disruption and expense of replacement. Herd Upholstery works with hospitality clients across East London, recovering seating without requiring long closure periods. The same principle applies: sound structure, good bones, and a clear recovery cost make the decision clearer. If you are unsure whether your chair is worth recovering, contact the studio for an inspection and honest advice.