Has anyone dealt with Plumbs or CoverMyFurniture?

[scampadoodle]

I want some loose covers made for my sofa & wondered if either of these were a good option.

TIA

[jaspercat2002]

We had some dining chair covers made by cover my furniture a few years ago and they were fine. They had a half price deal on at the time - not sure I would have paid full price. You send them photos of your furniture and then they send you a chart showing what measurements they need from you.
I thunk plumbs and cover my furniture are actually owned by the same company - the difference being who does the measurements. Could be wrong though.
Overall they were good I think - certainly gave us a few more years use out of our chairs.

[ogredownstairs]

I've used Plumbs to cover a sofa. They were fine - a local rep comes and measures. Took a while to come but fitted really well. Only gripe was that the fabric faded quite quickly - possibly my fault as the sofa's in front of a sunny window.

[3ismylot]

I have worked for Plumbs and would say dont bother! They will completely rip you off (they charged upto 3 times more for a job than me and I always thought I was quite expensive) you are much better getting in touch with a local seamstress (who would probably be the same person as most of plumbs sewers are self employed)

[scampadoodle]

Hmm, opposing views there!

Orgre: I want white/neutral cotton covers for a dark brown leather sofa so the fading wouldn't be an issue - & most fabrics will fade in the sun anyway.

Jasper: yes they are the same company. I think CMF would be about £250. I don't think I could get a local person to do it for less, even if I could find one. I'm in North London & every time you want someone to so much as fart on your doorstep it seems to cost upwards of a grand (I'm serious).

[ogredownstairs]

Sadly true in London! I did ask a local person to quote and it was more than twice as much...having said which I did have some plain cream cotton sofa covers made by a woman working through one of those little interior design/upholstery shops on Upper Street and they were relatively affordable, partly I suppose because I went for the cheapest most washable fabric. Still going strong 9 years on.

[scampadoodle]

Ogre, I'm near Upper St - who did you use?

I've requested a 'home visit' from Plumbs, and fabric samples from CMF so we'll see...

[ogredownstairs]

It was David Scotcher - think it's still there ( 285 Upper Street.)

[malovitt]

I had my sofas covered by T & T Upholstery in Archway/Tufnell Pk (165B Junction Rd N19 5PZ) Tel: 0207 272 9212, don't think they have a website.
Brilliant quality and very reasonable.

[scampadoodle]

Yes David Scotcher is still there...

And thanks for that recommendation malovitt.

[crystalglasses]

I used Plumbs a few years ago and was never happy with the result. I didn't want fabric resembling crimplene and told the Plumbs rep so when he came and low and behold the covers look like crimplene. It's difficult for a lay person to visualise how a small peice of fabric willl look once made up inot covers so you are relying on their advice to some extent. It was also horrendously expensive. Nearly £1000 for a sofa and 2 chairs. Very disappointing.

[broadsword88]

Use your local reupholstering services. You get the human touch and a much better service. I would also be amazed if costs are not much cheaper as Plumbs are extortinate. I had a first class job completed by a local firm for fabrics costing £20 per metre that came to a total of £1350 on my suite. Plumbs wouldn't speak to me unless I considered a starting price of £3000. Utterly disgraceful.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

I'm an independent designer - I draw and produce CAD for a living - it's more space planning than interior design - but for some reason Plumbs keep sending me letters asking me to take on sewing work for them ! I do have a sewing machine - it's an antique - I would never dream of trying to create soft furnishings for anyone !! - so to this end I can only assume that they aren't fussy who does the work - and they don't vet who takes on the work - they just ask anyone who might just be interested in doing it ! better to go with a professional independent I think !!!

[BikeRunSki]

I had a chair recovered by Plumbs about 10 years ago. Cover never fitted properly, despite 2 return visits from rep.it was not even that cheap. I wouldn't use them again.

[Chyebren]

Earlier this year I had a rocking chair covered by Plumbs, cost over £500. I wanted it done quick as I have a back injury and its the only chair I can be really comfortable in. Their rep said it would take 2 weeks and took it away - when I rang head office a fortnight later, they said it would take 2 months.
I ordered removable washable zipped covers but got them back nailed to the chair. They had zips but won't remove and won't wash.
Plumbs are not interested, no apology, no partial refund, no interest in my complaint.
They're a rubbish company, don't use them. They're only out to rip you off, they've never heard of proper customer service.

[lukasgrahamfan]

I briefly worked for Plumbs a long time ago and initially went round to clients with a rep whose attitude to the customers was disgraceful.

The covers weren't good if you think how much they cost. I watched him force a badly measured 3 piece suite for an elderly lady and they clearly were an awful fit. He didn't give a jot just took the money. I was appalled.

I'd use a local upholstery firm who give a damn, and wouldn't touch Plumbs.

[Chyebren]

Thanks so much for your honesty, Lukasgrahamfan. It's a rotten shame when what seems to be such a respected UK company is actually so money-grabbing. I guess all we can do is to warn others not to use Plumbs but as you say, to find a local upholsterer whom you can trust. Thanks again.

[InformalRoman]

I had Plumbs do a set of removable covers for a sofa - fits well and good fabric. Not that cheap but local options weren't much better. Maybe it depends on who you get to do the measurements and the making up?

You do get bombarded with junk mail for ever after though.