If your sofa’s looking worn out but still feels solid, you might be thinking about reupholstery. Makes sense. Instead of tossing the whole thing, you give it a fresh look and maybe a few more years of life. But then comes the real question: do you reupholster it yourself, or pay a professional?
On the surface, DIY seems cheaper. But the real cost—money, time, frustration—often surprises people. On the flip side, professional sofa upholstery services can be expensive. Is the higher price worth it?
Let’s break it down without the fluff. Just the facts, the costs, and what you’re actually signing up for with each route.
What It Really Costs to Reupholster a Sofa Yourself
People often jump into DIY thinking it’s the budget-friendly option. That’s not always wrong—but it’s not always true either.
The biggest expense is fabric. Sofas usually take between 12 to 20 yards, depending on size, shape, and style. Fabric prices vary a lot. You can find some for $10 a yard at discount stores, but quality upholstery fabric can easily run $50–$100 per yard.
So even with mid-range fabric at $30 per yard, you’re looking at $360–$600 just for the fabric. Want something stain-resistant or high-end? Expect more.
Then there are supplies. That includes:
- Upholstery staples
- Staple gun (preferably electric or pneumatic)
- Upholstery thread
- Webbing
- Foam (if your cushions are dead)
- Batting
- Adhesives
- Piping or trim
You might already own a staple gun or sewing machine. But if you don’t, you’ll need to either buy or borrow tools. Basic tool costs can add another $100–$200. Some people skip proper tools and try to make do with whatever’s in the garage—but that usually leads to frustration and a sloppy finish.
Foam is a sneaky cost. High-density foam isn’t cheap. Just replacing seat cushions can cost $100–$300, depending on how many you have and how thick they are.
Now add in your time. If you’ve never done upholstery before, even a small sofa can take 20–40 hours. You’ll need to strip the old fabric, make templates, cut fabric carefully, sew new covers, stretch and staple, and probably redo a few parts. You’ll likely spend multiple weekends on it.
All in, the average DIY project lands somewhere between $300 and $800, assuming you already have some tools and don’t go for luxury fabric. It could be more if you’re replacing cushions or buying everything from scratch. That’s not nothing. And it doesn’t guarantee a flawless result.
What Professional Sofa Upholstery Services Cost (and What You’re Paying For)
Hiring a professional upholsterer costs more upfront. Most reupholstery services charge anywhere from $800 to $2,000+ for a standard three-seat sofa.
So why would anyone pay double or triple the cost of doing it themselves? The short answer: experience, tools, and time.
Professional upholsterers do this every day. They know how to strip a frame without damaging it. They cut fabric with precision. They know how to deal with curves, corners, welt cords, button tufting, zipper placement—every detail that makes a sofa look right.
The result? A sofa that looks new. Tighter seams, smooth edges, patterns that match, foam that feels right. It’s not just “recovered.” It’s rebuilt.
They also have access to better materials—commercial-grade foam, heavy-duty fabric, durable batting. Even if you source these yourself, you probably won’t get trade pricing or expert advice on what to use.
And there’s the hidden cost of mistakes. If you mess up a cushion cover or staple fabric unevenly, you might waste a few yards of fabric. You might even damage the sofa’s frame or springs. Then what? You’re either living with a lumpy mess or calling in a pro to fix it—on top of what you already spent.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of your time. If you’re working full-time and only have weekends, a project like this can drag on for weeks. During that time, your living room might be half-disassembled, covered in tools, scraps of fabric, and dust.
A professional team can often turn around a job in 5–10 business days, depending on their backlog.
Is DIY Really Cheaper? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
There’s no simple answer to which option is cheaper. It depends on what materials you choose, how much your time is worth, and how comfortable you are taking on a fairly technical project.
DIY reupholstery can save money if:
- You already have the tools
- You’re using budget fabric
- You’re not replacing foam
- You don’t mind spending a few weekends on it
- You’re okay with a few imperfections
Professional upholstery services are more expensive, but you’re paying for:
- Skilled labor
- Long-lasting materials
- A polished, like-new look
- Speed and convenience
- No risk of DIY mistakes
In short: DIY saves on labor. Pros save you from headaches.
When Reupholstery Makes Sense—And When It Doesn’t
Some sofas just aren’t worth the trouble. If the frame is weak, the arms wobble, or it was cheap to begin with, you’re better off replacing it. No amount of new fabric will fix a bad frame.
Reupholstery makes the most sense when:
- The sofa is solid wood and well-built
- You love the shape or style
- It has sentimental value
- You want a custom fabric or unique design
- You’re trying to avoid the waste of throwing it out
A good-quality sofa can last decades with the right care. Reupholstering can extend its life by another 10–15 years, especially if new foam and support are added during the process.
Other Factors to Consider
Space
Reupholstering at home takes up space—sometimes more than you think. You’ll need floor space to lay out fabric, space to work around the sofa, and somewhere to keep tools and materials. If you live in a small apartment, this might be a deal-breaker.
Safety
Pulling apart old furniture can release dust, allergens, staples, and sometimes even mold or pests. If you have kids or pets around, that’s something to think about.
Design Options
Pros can often help you match new fabric to your space, or offer custom details like piping, tufting, or nailhead trim. DIY projects tend to be more basic—unless you already know your way around a sewing machine.
The Takeaway
Reupholstering your sofa can be a great way to refresh your space without buying new. But the “cheaper” DIY route isn’t always that cheap—and it definitely isn’t easy.
If you’ve got the patience, tools, and a little skill, it can be a satisfying project. You’ll save money, learn something new, and maybe feel proud every time you sit down.
But if your time is limited or you want a sofa that looks brand new (without the frustration), professional sofa upholstery services are worth considering. They cost more, but they bring experience, materials, and quality you probably won’t match on your first try.
In the end, it’s about trade-offs. Money vs. time. Learning vs. convenience. Either way, knowing the real costs helps you make the right call. And that’s what matters.