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furniture.

The honest answer is that it depends on the sofa and the work required.

The main factors include:

• The style of the sofa: a deep-buttoned Chesterfield takes considerably more labour than a simple modern sofa.
• The current condition: the frame, springs, fillings and internal construction may need repairs or rebuilding.
• Seat cushions and foams: existing cushions can sometimes be reused, although many clients choose replacement foams for improved comfort and support.
• Fabric choice: upholstery fabrics vary widely in price. Some are around £30 per metre, while premium fabrics can cost considerably more.

As a rough guide, most standard sofas tend to fall between £1,200 and £1,500, including a fabric around the £30-per-metre range. Every piece is different, so we recommend sending photographs for an initial estimate and guidance on fabric choices and available options.

In many cases, yes. The fairest comparison is not between your existing sofa and the cheapest new sofa online; it is between your furniture and a new piece of similar quality.

Many older sofas were built with solid hardwood frames and traditional construction methods intended to last for decades. Re-upholstery lets you retain that well-built frame while transforming the appearance and comfort with new fabrics, fillings and upholstery work.

Not every item is worth re-upholstering, and we will always be honest about that. However, for a well-made sofa, re-upholstery is often the better long-term investment financially and in terms of quality.

Re-upholstery is a highly skilled, labour-intensive process. Unlike mass-produced furniture, most of the work is completed by hand by craftspeople who have spent years learning the trade.

A sofa may be completely stripped back to the frame and rebuilt. Work can include:

• Replacing worn foams and fillings
• Repairing frames and springs
• Pattern matching fabrics
• Hand-finished detailing
• Traditional upholstery techniques

Quality fabrics, foams and fillings are also significant costs, along with UK workshop overheads, machinery, insurance and skilled employment. When compared with replacing a well-made piece with new furniture of similar quality, re-upholstery can still offer excellent long-term value.

Yes, in most cases. We can usually provide a realistic initial estimate from clear photographs and some basic dimensions. After almost 50 years in the industry, there is a good chance we have upholstered the same model or something very similar.

Please send:

• A full front photograph
• Side and rear photographs
• Close-ups of any damage or wear
• Approximate dimensions, where possible

A site visit may still be recommended for furniture in particularly poor condition, unusual pieces, unfamiliar overseas construction, or where alterations to size, shape or comfort are required.

Bespoke furniture is made to order, so the final cost varies according to the design, materials and level of detail.

• Size: larger pieces require more materials, fabric and labour.
• Fabric choice: prices range from practical upholstery fabrics to premium designer materials.
• Detailing: deep buttoning, piping, pleating, fluting and hand-studded finishes increase labour time.
• Cushion fillings: foam, feather, fibre and specialist fillings have different costs and comfort characteristics.
• Customer's Own Material: suitability, pattern repeats and wastage can affect the manufacturing process.
• Delivery and installation: costs depend on size, access, location and on-site installation requirements.

Once we understand your specification, we can explain the options and prepare a more accurate quotation.

D&P Upholstery has specialised in re-upholstery since 1977. Our upholsterers and machinists have experience across traditional and modern techniques, from family sofas and antique chairs to large commercial seating projects.

We regularly work on premium British furniture designed to last for decades. Our background also includes high-end furniture manufacturing experience, including work at George Smith, a company known for traditional British craftsmanship.

Alongside residential work, we manufacture and upholster bespoke seating for restaurants, bars, hotels, interior designers and other commercial clients. Everything is handmade in the North East by craftspeople who care about the quality of the finished piece.

The best candidates are usually pieces that were well built in the first place. Older sofas and chairs with solid hardwood frames, proper joinery and good spring systems are often ideal because they were designed to last for decades.

Sentimental value also matters. Furniture may have been in the family for years, fit a room perfectly or provide a level of comfort that is difficult to replace.

Some lightweight, mass-produced modern furniture may not justify the cost of re-upholstery. Send us photographs and we will give honest advice on whether restoring or replacing the piece makes more sense.

A genuinely well-made sofa should last for decades, not just a few years. We regularly work on sofas that are 20, 30 or even 40 years old and still have extremely strong frames.

Lifespan mainly depends on the quality of the frame, the upholstery materials and how heavily the sofa is used. Fabrics, cushion fillings and springs naturally wear over time, but these can be replaced during re-upholstery. A solid hardwood frame with proper construction can last for generations when looked after correctly.

The frame is the foundation of upholstered furniture. Signs of a quality frame include:

• Solid hardwood construction
• A heavy, sturdy feel
• Proper joints rather than excessive staples
• Minimal movement or flexing
• Good spring systems
• A structure that remains solid after many years of use

Longevity is often a strong clue. If a sofa has already lasted 20 years and remains structurally sound, that usually says a great deal about the frame underneath.

The biggest difference is often what you cannot see. Two sofas may look similar externally while having completely different materials, construction and workmanship beneath the fabric.

High-quality upholstery typically uses strong hardwood frames, better spring systems, higher-density foams, durable fabrics and skilled handmade finishing. Cheaper furniture may use lightweight frames, lower-density foams, stapled construction and lower-grade fabrics and fillings.

Quality affects comfort, appearance, repairability and how the furniture performs many years after purchase.

Timescales vary according to size and complexity. As a general guide, a full suite usually takes around two to three weeks once it arrives in our workshop.

Deep-buttoned Chesterfields, antique furniture and heavily detailed traditional upholstery can sometimes take around four weeks because of the additional labour involved. Workshop lead times vary, but we will provide an honest estimate before work begins and keep you updated.

Yes. We offer collection and delivery for both residential and commercial projects. The arrangements and any associated cost will be confirmed as part of your quotation.

Yes. We regularly work with clients across the UK. For projects further afield, collection, delivery and installation logistics simply need to be included in the quotation.

Absolutely. Many clients and interior designers supply their own fabric. We need to confirm that it is suitable for upholstery use and complies with the relevant fire regulations. Where required, an FR fire-retardant interliner may be used to help achieve compliance.

We can also advise how many metres of fabric your furniture is likely to require.

Generally, yes. We can work to match the style of existing furniture, fabric colours, seating heights and overall proportions to help achieve a cohesive finish.

Yes. We replace foam cushions regularly and can advise on different foam grades and comfort levels.

Ideally, we ask for the existing cushion covers so they can be measured and templated accurately. We can work from client-supplied measurements, although sizing would be at the client's own risk.

Yes. Many frame and spring repairs can be completed in the client's home, depending on the issue. More extensive work, such as replacing broken spring clips or carrying out structural repairs, may require the furniture to be taken to our workshop.

Absolutely. We have extensive experience restoring antique and traditional upholstered furniture, including pieces that require traditional upholstery methods and detailed finishing.

Where possible, we preserve the character and integrity of the original piece while restoring its comfort, structure and appearance.

Yes. Bespoke upholstered furniture is one of our specialities. We regularly work from client sketches, inspiration images, architect drawings and interior designer concepts.

Projects can include statement chairs, banquette seating, bespoke sofas and complete commercial seating installations.