Expert: Mark H. Miller - 5/31/2005

Question
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for your question suggestions-- I am happy to report that all of my local upholsterers were very willing to answer questions and explain the process.  None were surprised by the questions and they were all happy to talk about their work.

I have one more question- what's the usual money/payment arangement?  Half up front/half when the job is done to my satisfaction?  

Most of the upholsterers I've talked to can't even look at my sofa until the end of July, so I have time to plan and decide.

Thank you  again for your help!

Pam

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Followup To
Question -
Hi Mark,
My husband's great aunt has left us an old (maybe antique?) sofa-- it is in lovely condition (it was las reupholstered in 1977), but the fabric style is VERY dated.  It has three cushions, a hump back and four curved legs-- I think it's mahogany.  This will be the first piece I've EVER had reupholstered.  What questions should I ask/ what should I look for as I call the local upholsterers?  Thank you so much for your advice.
pam
Answer -
Hi Pam,

First the fabric,  will the upholsterer allow you to supply your own or must you buy it from him.  Upholsterers often will not work with a fabric that they have not sold, there is nothing unreasonable about that.  Ask him to supply you with a "memo sample" a sample of the fabric that is aprox 27 X 27 in size rather than a small swatch.

Ask if he will pickup and redeliver,  small shops usually have their own truck, larger ones will farm it out and you pay.

Ask if the upholsterer will completely remove the existing fabric.  Don't allow him to upholster over it.  To make certain you could ask him to give you the old fabric.  Ask if he will repad the entire piece with cotton batting.  If he says he will use bonded dacron go somewhere else.

Ask if the coil springs in the seat need replacing or if they need to be retied.  Sit on the sofa and see if the springs support the weight of your body,  if they "bottom out" they should be replaced and not retied.  To test for yourself remove the seat cushion and press down on the area the cushions rest on "the deck" and see if you can push it down easily,  if you can - then replace the springs.  Consider how much force you could exert as opposed to a 200 lb person sitting on it.  Look underneith and see if the webbing is sagging, if it is sagging badly a good indication that the coil springs need replacing.

Ask the upholsterer if the cushion insets need replacing,  if they are the old spring and cotton type, I would replace them.  If down & feather they may need down added and maybe new downproof ticking.  If the upholsterer recommends new cushion insets believe him.

Ask if he will reglue the frame if it is loose.  To test it stand in front of the sofa, place one knee squarely on the seat without the cushion in it and grab an arm and see if it is loose or tight,  grab the back and move it see if the frame is loose.  If it is he should reglue it.

Ask him if he will touchup the exposed legs from scratches but don't allow refinishing.

Ask the upholsterer what his usual clientelle is,  an upholsterer in a high-end shopping district will have clients that expect better quality as upposed to an upholsterer in a poor neighborhood who has to struggle making a living reupholstering cheap furniture.

Do check with the Better Business Bureau if there are compaints registered against the shop, keeping in mind that it's not possible to satisfy everyone.  

In California you are entitled to a written estimate that clearly states what the upholsterer will do.  Discribe the piece to be reupholstered, the number of yards of material required.  What the fabric selected consits of such as percentages of linen and cotton,  the cost per yard.

Upholstering is very labor intensive,  not machine other than a sewing machine is used.  Therefore expect to pay for quality work.  Remeber it is possible to pay a lot of money for inferior work but it is not possible to pay a little money for quality work - the sad reality of life.

So is it worth to reupholster if the piece does not have sentimental value,  the answer is definitely,  this is a good guide.  If one buys a cheap sofa - say $500 it may cost more than that to reupholster - not cost effective.  But if one has a very good sofa, say one that cost $ 2000 on up - plus fabric when new, then reupholstering is very cost effective, I hope this makes sence.

Be on the lookout,  go to the shop,  don't deal with an upholsterer where your first contact is his coming to you,  go to his shop, is it clean, neat or a pig stye.  Look at the furniture he has just completed.  Does he do both reupholstering and new furniture - if yes - you are in the right place.  If the place is in a poor neighborhood filled with cheap furniture, I would not deal with them.

Don't be upset if the upholsterer looks at the sofa and tells you the # of yds it will take without measuring.  Experience will tell.  But.... and this is very important !  When the upholster comes to give you an estimate observe him closely,  keeping in mind that a good upholsterer knows that whatever hidden damage and work is in the piece he will endup doing,  therefore he will sit in the seat, crawl around the piece, check the frame.  An upholsterer who isn't going to do those things that you can't see won't check for them because he won't do it anyway, so the more your upholsterer checks your sofa when he comes for an estimate the more you can be cetain he intends to do. An upholsterer who is going to do a good job will not just look at a piece, he will touch it, and check it very carefuly, you just observe,  a casual glance should speak volumes for you.

I hope this helps.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with other questions or concerns.  Good luck,  reupholstering is fun.  

Mark Miller  

Answer
Hi Pam.

Computers apparently are not as fast as we think they are, guess what,  your response to the question I answered arrived just this week.  Oh well.  

In order to get it out of the system I have to respond. Otherwise the system will haunt me that I am not answering my questions.  .................  :-)  

Mark.