Sofa Reupholstery Costs in Vancouver: 2025 Guide

"How much will it cost to reupholster my sofa?" It's the first question everyone asks, and rightfully so. The price tag matters. But here's what most people don't realise: the answer depends on a conversation between your furniture, your lifestyle, and your upholsterer's expertise. Let's decode the real costs of sofa reupholstery in Metro Vancouver for 2025, and more importantly, help you understand what you're actually paying for.

First, the numbers you came for. In Metro Vancouver's current market, expect to invest $1,200 to $2,200 for a standard three-seater sofa. That sectional dominating your living room? Budget $1,800 to $3,500. Your grandmother's wingback chair? Roughly $400 to $800. But these ranges are like saying a Vancouver condo costs "between $500K and $2M"—technically true, but the details matter enormously.

The Anatomy of a Reupholstery Quote

When you receive a quote, you're looking at three main components working together. Labour typically accounts for 40-60% of your total cost. In Vancouver, skilled upholsterers charge $60-80 per hour, and your sofa represents 15-25 hours of meticulous work. That's stripping old fabric, repairing the frame, replacing worn padding, retying springs, cutting new fabric with precision, sewing, stretching, and finishing with the attention to detail that separates professional work from DIY disasters.

Fabric forms another 30-40% of your investment. Here's where choices multiply exponentially. Budget fabrics start at $15 per yard—think basic polyesters that'll do the job. Mid-range options ($30-60 per yard) open up a world of durable, attractive choices perfect for most homes. Premium fabrics ($60-120+ per yard) include designer textiles, performance fabrics that laugh at red wine spills, and sumptuous velvets that transform furniture into art. A typical sofa needs 12-18 yards, so yes, fabric choice significantly impacts your bottom line.

The remaining 10-20%? That's materials like foam, batting, thread, zippers, and welting, plus potential surprises lurking beneath your current upholstery. More on those surprises in a moment.

Why Your Quote Might Surprise You (In Either Direction)

Your neighbour paid $900 to reupholster their sofa. You got quoted $2,400 for yours. Same size, same upholsterer. What gives? The devil, as always, lounges in the details.

Complexity multiplies costs faster than Vancouver real estate. That channel tufting you love? Each button requires individual attention, adding 4-6 hours to the job. Curved arms that give your sofa its distinctive silhouette? They demand pattern-matching expertise that straight lines don't. Eight loose cushions instead of attached backs? That's eight separate mini-projects within your project.

Then there's the archaeology phase—what we discover when we peel back your current fabric. Springs hanging by a thread add $200-500 to replace. Foam that's compressed into sad, flat pancakes? Another $200-400. Frame joints that wobble like a downtown nightclub at 2 AM? $150-400 for reinforcement. That "simple reupholstery" just became restoration work.

Geography matters too. Downtown Vancouver shops with Gastown addresses and heritage building charm? They're paying $30+ per square foot in rent, and yes, that factors into pricing. The established Richmond workshop that's been family-run for 30 years? Often more competitive. Mobile upholsterers who come to you? They save on overhead but might charge travel fees to Bowen Island or Deep Cove.

The Hidden Value in Professional Reupholstery

Let's address the elephant lounging on your sofa: yes, you can buy a new couch at IKEA for less than reupholstery costs. But comparing IKEA to professional reupholstery is like comparing a food court burger to Hawksworth—both fill a need, but they're fundamentally different experiences and investments.

Your existing sofa, if it's worth reupholstering, likely has a hardwood frame—maybe oak, maple, or birch—properly kiln-dried and joined with techniques that have proven themselves over decades. New furniture at reupholstery-comparable prices? Often engineered wood, held together with brackets and hope, designed to last until the warranty expires.

Professional reupholstery also means customization that new furniture can't match. Want to add USB ports to your armrest? Done. Lower the back height to not block your view? Absolutely. Convert that formal sofa into a casual slouch-fest with deeper seats? Your upholsterer can rebuild it to your specifications. Try asking IKEA for that.

There's environmental karma too. Reupholstering keeps approximately 85 pounds of furniture out of our landfills. In sustainability-conscious Vancouver, that matters. You're not just saving a sofa; you're voting against disposable culture with your wallet.

The Million-Dollar Question: Reupholster or Replace?

Here's the decision tree that actually works. First, the frame test: lift one front corner of your sofa. If it's heavy enough to make you grunt, and you hear/feel no creaking, you've got quality bones worth saving. If it feels like you could shot-put it across the room, move on to new furniture.

Next, the comfort audit. Still love how it fits your body after all these years? That's irreplaceable. Modern sofas, especially at lower price points, prioritize appearance over comfort. Your broken-in sofa already knows your Netflix posture perfectly.

The math matters, but not how you think. Don't compare your $2,000 reupholstery quote to a $1,500 new sofa. Compare it to a new sofa of equivalent quality—solid hardwood frame, eight-way hand-tied springs, high-density foam, designer fabric. Suddenly you're looking at $4,000-6,000 new versus $2,000 to restore what you have.

Sometimes, though, it's time to let go. If reupholstery costs exceed 70% of a quality replacement, if the style no longer works (that 1980s southwestern print isn't coming back), or if you discover particle board where you expected hardwood—thank your sofa for its service and move on.

Smart Strategies to Manage Costs

Want to reupholster without remortgaging? Here's insider intelligence from Metro Vancouver's upholstery community.

Timing is money. January through March, when everyone's recovering from holiday spending, upholsterers often have gaps in their schedules. That's negotiation leverage. Conversely, trying to get your sofa done before Thanksgiving? Expect rush charges that'll make your eyes water.

Fabric selection offers the most flexibility. Your upholsterer has trade accounts with suppliers you can't access directly, often at 20-30% below retail. Ask about "end of roll" specials—when there's just enough fabric left for one sofa, suppliers discount deeply to clear inventory. Also consider "similar but different"—that $120/yard designer fabric might have a visual twin at $45/yard from a different mill.

Bundle strategically. Having three pieces done saves more than just multiple pickup/delivery fees. Upholsterers can optimise fabric usage across pieces, reducing waste and cost. Plus, you become a valued project worth accommodating on price.

But here's what not to compromise on: the inner workings. Cheaping out on foam to save $200 means you'll be reupholstering again in five years when those cushions pancake. Skipping spring retying to save $300 leads to an expensive frame repair when they finally break through. Pay for quality where it counts—inside your furniture where longevity lives.

Getting Quotes That Actually Mean Something

Phone quotes for reupholstery are about as accurate as weather forecasts beyond three days. Any upholsterer quoting definitively without seeing your piece is either psychic or problematic. Professional quotes require professional assessment.

When the upholsterer visits (or you bring your piece in), they're investigating, not just measuring. They'll sit on it, flip it over, peek under skirts, and possibly mutter knowingly at what they find. Good signs: they take photos, make sketches, and ask about your lifestyle (kids? pets? red wine enthusiasm?). Red flags: immediate quotes without examination, promises that seem too good, or reluctance to discuss previous work.

A professional quote should read like a detailed invoice from your mechanic—labour hours estimated by task, materials itemized, potential additional costs identified upfront. "Reupholster sofa: $1,500" isn't a quote; it's a guess. You want to see fabric requirements, foam replacement needs, structural repairs detailed, and timeline specified.

Ask the uncomfortable questions. What happens if you find more damage once you strip the fabric? Is pickup and delivery included? What's your policy if I hate the finished product? Professional upholsterers have answered these before and will appreciate your thoroughness. Amateurs will squirm.

The Vancouver Factor

Living in one of North America's most expensive cities affects everything, including reupholstery costs. But it's not all bad news. Vancouver's design-conscious culture means we have exceptional craftspeople—refugees from the film industry's prop departments, artisans serving West Van's estates, specialists who understand both Shaughnessy heritage and Yaletown modern.

Our multicultural fabric district along Main Street and in Richmond offers selections rivaling Toronto or Seattle, often at better prices thanks to direct Asian imports. The competition between established shops and new craftspeople keeps quality high and prices honest—mostly.

Weather plays a role too. Our damp climate means foam degradation happens faster here than in Calgary. That 10-year-old sofa might need new cushion cores where prairie furniture wouldn't. Factor this into your cost calculations—it's not optional maintenance; it's climate adaptation.

Making the Investment Work

Most upholsterers require 50% down—enough to buy materials and ensure you're serious, not so much that you're at risk. The balance comes due on completion. Credit cards are usually accepted, though some smaller shops prefer e-transfer or cheques to avoid processing fees.

Here's a secret: many upholsterers will store your piece for a few weeks if you need time between approval and starting work. Planning a vacation? Have them pick up your sofa before you leave and return it transformed when you're back. It's like furniture magic, minus the rabbit.

Some shops offer payment plans, particularly for larger projects. Don't be shy about asking—the worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised by the flexibility available, especially during slower seasons.

The Bottom Line on Your Bottom Cushion

Reupholstery in Metro Vancouver isn't cheap. But neither is quality anything in this city. The question isn't whether you can afford to reupholster; it's whether you can afford not to. That well-built sofa you're sitting on? In today's furniture market, its replacement might cost double what restoration would, and last half as long.

Every piece tells a story. Some stories are worth preserving, even at Vancouver prices. Others have reached their final chapter. The key is knowing the difference, understanding the true costs, and finding the right craftsperson to write the next chapter.

Ready to discover what your furniture restoration will actually cost? Contact VI Reupholstery for an honest assessment. We'll tell you if your piece is worth saving, what it'll cost, and why. Because transparency in pricing is as important as quality in craftsmanship. Bring your questions, your furniture, and your budget concerns—we'll help you make the right decision for your home and your wallet.