Upholstery costs for cushions?

[John Carpenter]

I am in the process of updating the interior on a '28 Chris Craft. There are nine cushions total that will require about 20 yds. of fabric to re-cover. I have been quoted a price range of between $700 & $900 dollars, labor and materials...depending on fabric chosen. All cushions have plywood bottoms. Does this sound reasonable? More importantly, can anyone help the Admiral get on with the process of choosing the fabric?

 

[wolfe1459]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

i had a bench seat in my 18' ebbtide reupholstered last year and it cost me $200

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

$75 bucks a cushion seems reasonable to me.<br />of course you can always do it yourself and save<br />at least half (if you have the time and ability)<br />not terribly hard, but time consuming.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

Upholstery work is expensive, but if you do it I recommend replacing the foam cushion if there is any hint of mildew. I'm sure the upholstery shop would recommend that, and it really is a wise thing to do.<br /><br />If you have a machine that can handle it, you can probably do the job yourself using the old coverings (and foam) as templates. You will have to sew the corner seams, but the fabric is stapled to the plywood backing after it is stretched over the foam -- comes out looking very nice.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

Thanks for the replies...I don't have a capable machine and sewing is not among "our" skills, so this looks like one that will get hired out. The more feedback I get the more I think that maybe this is not a bad price. Thanks to all.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

Relentless: I had a 44"x18" flat, plain cushion made about a year ago with a plastic bottom... If I remember correctly, it cost about $125 or so... Those quotes sound reasonable to me...<br /><br />If you can swing it "$$$", I'd go with the plastic bottoms...

 

[BillP]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

The price is "reasonable" because they are stretching the fabric over a ply bottom. This cuts the labor by 75%. Are they "piping" the edges, doing panel edges or just pulling down one piece of fabric over the wood. Original panels most likely are piped. Either way, make sure they use monel staples.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

The originals are indeed piped...replacements will be boxed panel construction. He uses stainless steel staples which should be ok. I requested Monel but don't think they are available for his air stapler. I will check into it though as I do prefer Monel. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[BillP]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

Stainless staples are fine but can stain...monel won't. Not a big deal on this application.

 

[whatsadixie]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

What is/are monel?

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

These are interior cushions...the original staples appear to be galvanized, in good shape,and 25 yrs old. The boat has 442 hrs on it and the cushions are in great shape really...just dated fabric/colors etc. The Admiral wants them redone...yes honey! New carpet too? Right away.<br /><br />Monel is an alloy of (I think), copper and nickel...mostly copper. No corrosion issues. The best fuel and water tanks are made out of it.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Upholstery costs for cushions?

Hi Relentless,<br /><br />Last winter I redone the cushions in my 27'CCrusier. This winter I plan to do the berth. However the cost to do the 9 cushions in the salon it (New foam, piping, and a good quality fabric) was a little over $500. So to me that is a fair price that you would be paying.<br /><br />I suggest to use new foam. It made a big difference in air quality in my cabin this past season. Season before, on hot days (even if it was cooler inside) the air was bad (smelled ). No matter what air freshners we used, the smell was always there. But this last season with everthing in the salon being new, it smelled new. That made staying overnight nice! Good luck on your project and have fun!