When reupholstery beats buying new
Hardwood frames — oak, maple, birch — were standard on furniture built before 2000. They are joined with corner blocks, dowels, and screws, not staples. A 50-year-old sofa from a quality maker like Henredon, Pearson, Drexel Heritage, or even mid-century Hickory Chair often has a frame that will outlast three generations of upholstery.
Modern retail furniture in the $800–$2,000 range is built with kiln-dried softwood, MDF panels, and stapled joints. New foam compresses inside two years, and the cushion casings split at the seams. Consumer Reports' guide to high-quality furniture walks through the construction details that separate pieces built to last from ones built to fail.
When buying new is the right call
Strip a piece and find broken corner blocks, splintered rails, or a frame that flexes when you sit on it — at that point reupholstery is throwing money at a structural problem. We will tell you straight up.
Same answer for sofas with damaged engineered-wood arms or when a customer wants a fundamentally different shape than the frame allows. Reupholstery does not change geometry.
Reupholster when the frame is solid hardwood (oak, maple, birch, joined with corner blocks). Replace when the frame is stapled softwood or MDF. Frame quality decides — not raw price.
What it actually costs
A standard three-cushion sofa runs $900–$1,800 in labor, plus $300–$900 in fabric depending on fiber content and yardage. New springs, foam, and Dacron wrap if needed add $150–$350. A comparable new sofa from a mid-tier brand starts around $2,500 and goes up fast. The math favors rebuilding when the frame is right.
Common questions on this topic
How long does a reupholstery job take?
Most residential pieces are completed in 2–4 weeks from pickup. Antiques with frame work or rare fabric orders can run 4–8 weeks.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We provide free written estimates after seeing the piece in person or by clear photos with measurements.
Will my furniture be stronger after reupholstery?
If the frame is sound, yes. We replace failed springs, retie eight-way hand-tied seats when applicable, install new high-density foam, and use staples or webbing rated for the stress. The piece leaves the shop stronger than it arrived.
