How to choose an
upholsterer in Melbourne

Worth it or not

When is it worth reupholstering vs replacing

The bones decide everything. Tip the piece over and look underneath.

• Reupholster if the frame is solid timber, joints are tight or repairable, and you like the shape. A quality frame can last 80 to 100 years, so re-covering it is often better value than buying new.
• Reupholster antiques, mid-century pieces and heirlooms. The frames were made properly and you cannot buy that quality new at a sane price.
• Replace if the frame is warped, water-damaged, or cheap engineered board that will not hold new staples and springs.

Rough rule: if reupholstery costs more than about 60 to 70 percent of a genuinely good new piece, weigh it carefully. But most new furniture at the same price is lower quality than a restored older frame, so it is rarely like-for-like.

Costs

What reupholstery costs in Melbourne (indicative 2026)

Prices vary with fabric, how much stripping and rebuilding is needed, and whether springs, webbing or foam need replacing. These are indicative starting ranges for labour plus mid-range fabric, not fixed quotes.

Because every piece is different, each job is individually assessed and priced fairly on its own scope of works and the materials selected, rather than a flat, one-size rate. Always ask for an itemised quote so you can see labour, fabric and materials separately.

Choosing well

How to choose a good upholsterer

Use these criteria to separate a genuine workshop from a re-seller.

• In-house team. A workshop with its own machinist, upholsterer and restorer controls quality and can fix issues fast.
• Real, recent reviews. Volume, recency and specifics beat a handful of vague ones.
• Fabric range and advice. The right fabric for your use (rub count, kids, pets, sunlight, commercial fire ratings) matters as much as the look.
• Fire-grade foam and materials. Ask that new foam meets Australian standards, and that commercial fabrics carry fire certification.
• Workmanship warranty. A maker who stands behind the work will warrant it.
• Deal direct with the maker. Clearer advice, fewer miscommunications, real accountability.

Dylberry Design, a family workshop in Eltham North servicing Melbourne, is built to meet this checklist: a full in-house team, around 100 years of combined craft, fire-grade foam, and quotes from a photo. The point is the pattern, so apply the checklist to whoever you shortlist.

The process

What to expect

• Quote. Many workshops give a free indicative quote from clear photos, before you cart furniture around.
• Assessment. In-person inspection of frame, springs and structure, which may adjust the quote.
• Fabric selection. Chosen with guidance on durability and suitability.
• Strip and rebuild. Old cover off; webbing, springs and foam repaired or replaced as needed.
• Re-cover and finish. New fabric cut, sewn and fitted, with detailing like piping or buttoning.
• Return. Turnaround usually runs a few weeks depending on workload and fabric lead times.

Commercial vs domestic: commercial work (cafe booths, restaurant banquettes, venue seating) needs fabrics and foams that meet fire-safety standards, high-durability materials, and often tight fit-out deadlines, and is usually priced per lineal metre. Choose a workshop that does commercial seating regularly and understands compliance.

Good to know

Upholstery questions