Has anyone had a sofa upholstered?

[MushroomTree]

I love my sofa. It's a vintage Chesterfield style in olive green velour. However, it is ancient and at some point will either need to go to the tip or be reupholstered.

If you've had this done, did it cost a fortune? Unfortunately I suspect it's going to be cheaper to buy a new sofa, but I'd love to salvage it if I can.

My dad is an experienced upholsterer and does advise re-upholstering sofas will usually cost more than buying a new one. Especially with a chesterfield because of the buttoning. If you really love it, it's probably worth it.

That's what I thought @hartof. It's not exactly a simple job. I'll get some quotes but I imagine I'll end up buying new or another better quality secondhand sofa.

My parents did, about 12 years ago. The sofa is about 40 years old and really comfortable. It was obviously expensive when bought and the cushions and frame lasted really well.
However, they could have bought a new sofa for the same price! A new one would probably not have been the same quality though.

@QueenofLouisiana this is why I'm in two minds. I could go out and buy a new sofa for the same but would the quality be as good? And would I love it as much? Let's face it, Chesterfield sofas aren't cheap.

I got mine for £36 from a student house!

Not, definitely not cheap! If you love it, get it recovered.

Recently had my Grandmothers chair reupholstered.

It cost £1k but has so many memories that I thoughg it was worth it.

Could easily have bought two similar chairs for that amount.

@Flyingsouthwiththeswallows wow! Definitely more than I was looking to spend but I totally understand why you got your grandmother's chair reupholstered.

That was in the most beautiful wrap around Velvet (£125 a meter) with a leather back.

We originally intended rescuing the original Art Deco leather but it split during restoration, so had to be replaced.

I had a 15 year old sofa, 2 armchairs and one footstool reupholstered for about £1600. The frame was in excellent shape and the upholsterer reckons we should easily get another 15-20 years from it. The suite cost £2000 new, so I reckon I got a good deal, at today's prices, for something of the same quality. I would highly recommend doing it.

Thanks for the replies @Flyingsouthwiththeswallows and @ScorchioScorchio. I think I'll have to see what finances are like at the time and whether it's affordable. I'd love to keep the sofa but realistically I might have other financial priorities. It would be a shame though.