Is it worth getting sofas recovered?

[BikeRunSki]

We have 2 Laura Ashley sofas that are 15 years old. They are structurally sound, but the upholstery is knackered - one seat pad cover is completely ripped and unusable.

They were fairly pricey when we got them. Topish end of mid range if that makes sense. I've looked on Barker and Stonehouse and Multiyork websites and think it would cost around £3200 to replace the two sofas with something similar. Some cheaper at sofas at John Lewis which have a 15 year structural guarantee, and would cost around £1500 for the two.

Ive also had a quite from a local upholsterer to recover them for £1500. I really like the idea of refurbishing the old sofas, but realistically have no idea how much life is left in the structures. They seem OK, and now the DC are 9 and 12, the sofas have probably lived through their most stressful period.

On the other hand, it would be a shame to spend £1500 on recovering them and for the to collapse in a couple of years time!

Also, if we recovered the old sofas, we would not have anything to sit on for 2 months!

I'd like to know this too. Our sofa is so comfortable but the covers are wearing out (it's around 20 years old so it's done it's time!).

Seems more environmentally friendly to refurb as well.

I love the idea of having them recovered. If you like the shape then why not. Maybe someone will be along soon who's had it done.

Mil and fil had theirs recovered a few years ago and still going strong. I think it was about £2000.
The sofas were second hand to them when my dh was a child and he’s early 30s. The fabric they chose is nice but the style/shape of the sofa is very dated.

@ulanbatorismynextstop - I don't love the shape, but I don't hate it either.

The "Why not" is - what would we sit on whist they are being recovered - estimate is 8 weeks to do the work!, and - well i'm not expert in sofa structure, so I don't know for sure that the frames have got 15 or so more years life in them.

Upholsterers usually can do some repair stuff so I’d expect that yours would tell you if anything needed doing when recovering them. That’s a good price for 2x sofas - we’ve got a quote for £1000+ before material costs for one large sofa that needs some TLC.

That’s why people buy new - because properly done reupholstering is expensive.

In terms of having nowhere to sit, ask the upholsterer if they’ll do them one at a time.

I’ve just looked at the estimate again, it’s actually £1700, with collection and delivery extra. I suppose we could do one sofa at a time and take turns in sitting on the floor, but that’s twice as much transport (And possibly taking the window out) - so looking like nearer £2000.

I've recovered a sofa 3 times. The upholsterer will check the structure and comment on whether it's good enough. Most expensive older ones are.

Ah, that is interesting @onlinelinda

Do you have a BHF shop near you or similar? Or keep an eye out on Freecycle/FB etc. You could get really cheap secondhand sofas for the 8 weeks yours are away and then just pass them on again when you’re are ready to come back.

It is more hassle than buying new, tbh.

Do you have any folding garden chairs you could use? Eight weeks isn't very long.