Ask two upholsterers in Kolkata what it costs to re-cover a three-seater sofa and you will usually get two numbers far apart, and neither will tell you why. That is not because one of them is hiding something. A re-cover is not a product with a price tag; it is a job whose cost depends on what is under the old fabric, what you want on top, and how much of the sofa has to be rebuilt in between.
We have been working on Kolkata homes from Central Avenue since 1971, and our upholstery studio has reupholstered more than 1,000 pieces of furniture. We have deliberately not printed rupee figures here: they date quickly, and a number without its conditions misleads more people than it helps. What follows is how to read a quote, so you can compare two of them fairly.
The frame is the first thing that decides whether a re-cover makes sense
Before fabric, foam or labour, the question is whether the frame is worth saving. A solid hardwood frame with sound joints can take a new cover and new foam and go on for another decade or more. A frame made of thin softwood or board that has loosened, split or been chewed by termites is a different conversation, because every rupee spent on top of it is spent on something that will fail. A good upholsterer strips the sofa down far enough to look, and will tell you plainly when the answer is to replace rather than re-cover. Our guide to re-covering or replacing a sofa walks through that decision.
Six things that move a re-cover quote
1. Fabric: the biggest swing
Fabric is sold by the metre and the range is enormous, from hard-wearing everyday weaves to velvets, boucles and performance fabrics. A sofa also takes more fabric than most people expect, because of the arms, the back, the cushions and the pattern matching on anything with a repeat. Striped or large-pattern fabrics use noticeably more than plain ones. If you are comparing quotes, ask each upholsterer how many metres they have allowed, because that is where quotes quietly diverge. Our notes on choosing a sofa fabric that survives the weather help narrow the choice before you ask for prices.
2. Foam and fill
Old seat foam in Kolkata’s humidity compresses and crumbles long before the frame tires. Replacing it is often the single biggest improvement to how a sofa feels, and the density you choose changes both comfort and cost. A quote that says “re-cover” but is silent on foam may mean the old foam goes back under a new cover, which is false economy on a sofa you sit on daily.
3. Springs, webbing and frame repair
Sagging seats usually trace back to tired webbing or springs rather than foam. Re-webbing, re-tying or replacing springs and fixing loose joints is skilled work, and a quote that includes it will look higher than one that does not. Ask what the upholsterer found when they inspected the sofa, not just what they intend to charge.
4. Style and construction
A plain, boxy three-seater is quicker to cover than a tufted Chesterfield, a sofa with a curved arm, or a piece with piping, buttons and loose scatter cushions. Tufting and channel work are done by hand and take far longer. Size matters too: an L-shape or a sofa-cum-bed has more panels and a mechanism to work around.
5. Lining, trims and finishing
Dust covers, new base cloth, piping, buttons and the finish on exposed wooden legs and arms are small items individually, but they separate a tidy job from a rushed one. Ask what is included.
6. Collection, delivery and timing
A full re-cover usually means the sofa leaves your home for a period. Transport of a heavy piece, and how quickly you need it back, can both affect the final figure. Asking for a clear timeline before you agree is as important as asking for the price.
How to compare two quotes fairly
Put the quotes side by side and check four lines: the fabric and the number of metres, whether foam is replaced, whether springs, webbing and frame work are included, and what warranty or follow-up is offered on the work. If one quote is silent on any of these, ask. In our experience the cheaper quote is usually cheaper because something has been left out, not because the work is more efficient.
When replacing is the better idea
Re-covering is worth it when the frame is sound and the sofa is one you like. If the frame is weak, the proportions never suited the room, or the cost of a proper rebuild approaches that of something new, replacing is honest advice. We would rather tell you that than take the job. If the sofa is simply worn in one place, a smaller repair may be enough; see what can and cannot be fixed on a sofa. And once it is done, how to clean a sofa in Kolkata will help the new cover last.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to reupholster a sofa in Kolkata?
It depends on the fabric, how much foam and structural work is needed, and the style of the sofa. Because those vary so widely, any single figure quoted without inspecting the sofa is a guess. The reliable way is to have the sofa assessed and get an itemised quote.
Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy a new sofa?
If the frame is solid hardwood, re-covering is often better value and gives you a sofa built to a standard that is hard to match new at a similar spend. If the frame is weak, replacing is the more sensible choice.
How long does reupholstering a sofa take?
A simple sofa takes less time than a tufted or large corner piece. Ask for a written timeline when you approve the quote, since fabric availability can also affect it.
Can I bring my own fabric?
Often yes, but check how many metres your sofa needs first so you do not buy too little. It is usually easier to choose fabric at the showroom where the quantity can be worked out against your sofa.
Should the foam be replaced at the same time?
In most cases yes. Old foam undermines a new cover, and replacing it while the sofa is stripped costs far less than doing it later.
Visit the Avikar upholstery studio
Bring a photograph of your sofa, or better, let us see it, and we will tell you what it needs and give you a quote you can read line by line. Learn more about our upholstery service.
Avikar Furniture & Furnishings
46 Central Avenue, Kolkata 700012
Phone / WhatsApp: 8080095551
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
