Average Cost to Reupholster a Sofa in 2025 (US & Canada) + DIY Estimator & Hiring Tips

If your sofa still has good bones but looks tired, you’re probably asking one straight question: what’s the actual bill to bring it back to life? Short answer: in 2025, most standard 3-seaters land around US $1,800-$3,500 or CAD $2,400-$4,700 in the Greater Toronto Area. Sectionals and fancy fabrics push higher. The longer answer-what drives that number up or down and how to predict your own price-is below.

• Typical 3-seat range (2025): US $1,500-$4,000; GTA CAD $2,200-$5,000. Sectionals: US $3,500-$8,500; GTA CAD $4,800-$11,000.
• Biggest drivers: fabric yardage and price per yard, labor hours/rate, cushion foam, repairs, pickup/delivery, and design details (tufting, skirts, nailheads).
• Fast estimate: Total ≈ (Yardage × Fabric $/yd) + (Labor hours × Hourly rate) + Extras (foam, repairs, pickup).
• Reupholster if the frame is solid hardwood or the piece fits your space perfectly; replace if it’s a budget build with a shaky frame.
• Ways to save: choose durable midrange fabric, skip pattern-matching, reuse foam if it’s sound, and get 2-3 quotes with the same spec sheet.

What it costs in 2025-and why quotes swing so much

Here’s the plain-language version. You’re paying for fabric and skilled time. A typical 3-seat sofa needs 14-18 yards of fabric and 20-35 hours of labor. In 2025, many US shops quote $60-$100 per labor hour; around Mississauga and the GTA I see $85-$125 CAD per hour. Fabric ranges wildly-from $25/yard basics to $80/yard performance textiles and well beyond for designer lines or leather. Then add foam, frame/spring fixes, and the truck that gets your sofa in and out of the shop.

Recent market checkpoints I trust: Angi (2025) pegs US national averages around the high-$1,000s to low-$2,000s; Fixr (2025) commonly shows $1,500-$4,000 for standard sofas; Canadian homeowners on HomeStars often report CAD $2,200-$5,000 for a 3-seater in larger cities. Those numbers line up with what I hear locally.

Use the table as a ballpark map, not a promise. Taxes are extra.

Extra line items you might see on a quote:

• Cushion foam replacement: $50-$150 US per seat cushion; CAD $70-$200 in the GTA. Down/feather wraps add more.
• Spring/seat webbing repair: $150-$600 US; CAD $200-$800 depending on extent.
• Frame tightening/minor wood repair: $100-$400 US; CAD $150-$500.
• Tufting, channeling, nailhead trim, skirts: $100-$600+ depending on detail.
• Pickup/delivery: $100-$300 US; CAD $150-$350 around the GTA (stairs/condos can add).

Fabric price swings widen the spread fast. A $25/yard basic keeps totals down. A $70/yard performance fabric adds hundreds. Leather is another tier: hides are priced per hide, and you may need 5-7 hides for a sofa, which is why leather reupholstery often lands in the US $3,000-$7,000+ bracket (CAD $4,000-$9,500+).

If you’re near Mississauga like me, expect the middle of the Canadian ranges above. Independent shops often quote tighter timelines and very detailed scopes. Larger studios sometimes have longer queues but broader fabric libraries. Both can do great work; go by portfolio and clarity of the quote.

Build your own estimate in 10 minutes

You don’t need a fancy calculator. Grab these three numbers and you’ll be close enough for planning.

1. Pick your sofa type to get yardage. Quick yardage cheat sheet:

   • Armchair: 6-8 yd
   • Loveseat: 10-14 yd
   • 3-seat sofa: 14-18 yd
   • Skirt or pattern match: add 10-20%
   • Sleeper: add 2-4 yd
   • Sectional: 22-40 yd (varies by configuration)

2. Choose a fabric budget. Typical 2025 brackets:

   • Budget woven: $25-$35/yd US (CAD $35-$50)
   • Midrange performance (e.g., stain-resistant): $40-$80/yd US (CAD $55-$110)
   • Designer lines: $90-$180/yd US (CAD $120-$240)
   • Leather: priced per hide; assume US $1,000-$2,500 in hides alone for a sofa

3. Estimate labor. Assume:

   • US labor rate: $60-$100/hr; 20-35 hours for a 3-seater
   • GTA labor rate: CAD $85-$125/hr; 20-35 hours for a 3-seater

Now plug it in:

Total ≈ (Yardage × Fabric $/yd) + (Labor hours × Hourly rate) + Extras (foam + repairs + pickup)

Two quick examples to make it real.

Example A - US, standard 3-seater, mid fabric

• Yardage: 16 yd × $45/yd = $720
• Labor: 28 hr × $75/hr = $2,100
• Extras: foam for 3 cushions $300, pickup $150
• Estimated total: $3,270 before tax

Example B - GTA, 3-seater with skirt and pattern match

• Yardage: 18 yd × $80/yd CAD = $1,440
• Labor: 32 hr × $100/hr CAD = $3,200
• Extras: spring repair $300, pickup $200 CAD
• Estimated total: $5,140 CAD before HST

If your quote looks way below these numbers, check what’s excluded. Often the lowball skips foam, repairs, or pattern matching. If it’s way higher, ask how many hours and yards they assumed. A good shop will show the math.

Handy rules of thumb:

• Every extra yard of fabric adds $25-$180 US (CAD $35-$240) just in material, before labor.
• Pattern matching consumes 10-20% more fabric. Plaids and wide stripes are fabric-hungry.
• Tufting and channeling add time. Budget an extra 3-8 labor hours for deep diamond tufting on a sofa back.
• Foam matters. High-resilience (HR) foam lasts longer and keeps cushions crisp; it adds cost upfront but stops the pancake look.

Want a fast yes/no test? If a new sofa you actually like costs less than your estimate to reupholster, replacement could be smarter-unless your old frame is top-tier or sized perfectly for your room.

Reupholster or replace? Make the call with a 5-point check

I’m all for saving great frames, but I’m not sentimental about bad ones. Use this checklist to keep your wallet in charge.

• Frame quality: Hardwood, kiln-dried, corner-blocked, and dowelled frames are worth saving. If the arms wiggle or you can see particleboard, think twice.
• Comfort and fit: If you love the sit and the size is perfect for your space, fabric is the only problem. Reupholster.
• Replacement price: A comparable new sofa (solid wood, 8-way hand-tied springs, performance fabric) can run $2,500-$6,000+ US (CAD $3,300-$8,000+). If your reupholstery quote is below that, you’re winning.
• Sentimental or vintage value: Period frames (mid-century, English roll arm, chesterfield) reupholster beautifully and outlast many new builds.
• Sustainability: Reupholstery keeps a bulky piece out of landfill. If the numbers are close, the greener option is to refresh.

Typical scenarios:

• Midrange modern sofa you bought for US $1,200 five years ago, frame is okay but not great: replacing might make more sense unless you adore the shape.
• Heirloom or high-end showroom piece from a decade ago: reupholster. You’ll end up with a better-than-new seat feel and your choice of fabric.
• Sectional that fits your room like a glove: reupholstery is pricier but custom replacement is pricier still. Keep the footprint you already like.

Timing check: many shops in 2025 quote 3-8 weeks in the queue plus 1-2 weeks on the bench once fabric arrives. Custom fabric lead times can add a couple more weeks. If you need a fast turnaround, ask about stock fabrics or “bench time” upfront.

Hiring, quotes that make sense, and smart ways to save

Good upholsterers are part craftsperson, part engineer, part fabric whisperer. You want someone who asks tough questions and shows their work.

What a clear quote includes:

• Yardage assumed and the exact fabric name/number-or a placeholder budget per yard if you haven’t chosen
• Labor hours or a flat labor figure with what’s covered (decking, platform, piping, zipper replacement)
• Foam details (density and ILD) and whether cushion wraps are included
• Repairs (springs/webbing/frame) either itemized or not required
• Pattern matching, tufting, skirts, nailheads if applicable
• Pickup/delivery, stairs/condo fees, and lead time
• Warranty on workmanship (12 months is common), deposit (often 30-50%), and payment schedule

Questions to ask before you sign:

• Can you break down yardage and hours? What could change that?
• If I switch to a performance fabric, what’s the price difference?
• Are you reusing my foam or replacing it? What foam spec would you use?
• How do you handle pattern matching on arms and cushions?
• Will you repair springs/webbing if you find issues mid-job? At what rate?
• What is the current lead time and how do you schedule pickup/delivery?
• Can I see before/after photos of similar pieces you’ve done?

Ways to save without regretting it later:

• Choose a solid or small texture instead of large-scale patterns. You’ll cut waste and labor time.
• Pick a midrange performance fabric. Stain-resistant weaves in the $40-$80/yd US range wear hard without boutique pricing.
• Reuse foam if it bounces back and isn’t crumbling. If it needs help, upgrade just the seat cores.
• Combine jobs. Reupholstering a chair and sofa together can reduce pickup/delivery costs and sometimes fabric waste.
• Ask about in-stock mill ends or discontinued colorways at a discount.
• Provide clear access on pickup day-elevators booked, doors measured-to avoid extra handling fees.

Pitfalls to avoid:

• Choosing delicate fabrics for family rooms. Linen looks stunning but can bag and stain; look for performance-treated linen blends if you love the look.
• Ignoring foam spec. Density and ILD determine feel and lifespan; cheap foam fails fast.
• Underestimating pattern matching. Plaids and chenilles with nap consume more fabric and time-worth it if that look makes you happy, but price it honestly.
• Skipping a written scope. “We’ll figure it out later” is where surprise charges live.

Mini-FAQ

• What’s the cheapest way to reupholster a sofa? Pick a durable solid fabric, reuse foam if it’s sound, skip skirts and tufting, and avoid pattern matching. That combo can shave hundreds.
• How long does it take? From booking to delivery, 3-10 weeks is typical in 2025. Busy seasons (spring and fall) run longer.
• Is leather worth it? For classic shapes and pets with claws, yes-quality leather ages well and cleans easily. It just costs more upfront.
• Can I supply my own fabric? Many shops allow it, but they’ll want a durable upholstery-grade spec and proper yardage. There may be a cut fee and no fabric warranty.
• Why is reupholstery sometimes pricier than buying new? You’re paying for custom, local handwork and a specific fabric you chose. Good frames plus great fabric beats many fast-furniture builds.

Next steps and quick paths by scenario

• Budget refresh: Price a solid midrange performance fabric, reuse foam if it passes the squeeze test, and get two quotes with the same yardage. Target the lower half of the ranges.
• Design-first makeover: Budget extra for pattern matching or tufting. Ask your upholsterer to confirm repeat size and additional yardage before ordering.
• Pet household: Choose tight weaves with a high double-rub rating, avoid loose bouclés that snag, and consider semi-aniline leather for easy cleanup.
• Vintage or heirloom: Approve any spring retie or frame repair upfront. Ask for photos during teardown so you have a record of what was fixed.
• Condo logistics (GTA): Book elevator time, measure doorways, and confirm the shop’s delivery window to avoid fees. Corner units and parking rules can slow a crew down.

Credibility check: The ranges and methods here align with 2025 pricing snapshots from Angi, Fixr, Consumer Reports’ upholstery guidance, and Canadian homeowner reports on HomeStars, plus what I’m seeing on the ground in the GTA. Always get a written scope-yardage, hours, and extras listed-so your final cost matches the plan.

One last thing: when you compare quotes, put them on the same playing field. Same fabric category, same yardage, same foam spec. That’s how you compare apples to apples-and land a fair sofa reupholstery cost.