Dining Chair Reupholstery Cost in Montreal: What Sets the Price

Dining chairs take more abuse than almost any other seating in the house: spills, crumbs, scraping chairs in and out and daily sitting. When the seats go flat, stained or shiny, reupholstering is usually far cheaper than buying a new set - and the frames in older chairs are often better built than what you can buy today. The question we hear most is simple: what will it cost? We do not publish a fixed price list, because it genuinely depends on your chairs. Here is what moves the number, so you can estimate it yourself before you send us photos.

1. The biggest factor: drop-in seat or fully upholstered?

This one question changes the price more than any other. Look at your chair: can you unscrew the seat from underneath and lift it out?

If you are not sure which you have, a photo is enough for us to tell.

2. How many chairs: sets of 4, 6 or 8

Dining sets are the most common job we do. We quote chairs individually, and the per-chair rate drops as the set gets bigger, because the setup (matching fabric, cutting patterns, finishing) is shared across the whole set. That means reupholstering six chairs costs less per seat than doing one, and doing the whole set at once also guarantees the fabric and finish match - something that is hard to achieve if you recover chairs a few at a time over the years. The same logic applies to restaurant banquettes and larger projects.

3. Fabric: the part you control

Fabric is the second-biggest lever. For dining chairs we usually recommend something wipeable and tightly woven: performance fabric, faux leather or genuine leather in mid-to-dark tones that hide the odd spill. A drop-in seat uses well under a yard of fabric per chair, so even a premium cloth can be affordable on slip seats; a fully upholstered chair needs noticeably more, which is where fabric choice starts to add up. Patterns that have to be matched also use more cloth. Our upholstery fabric guide explains durability ratings and what to avoid, and you can supply your own fabric (customer-supplied, or COM) if you have found one you love - just check the width and abrasion rating with us first.

4. Foam, webbing and what is under the fabric

The cover is only part of why a seat feels tired. If the foam has collapsed or the webbing has sagged, new fabric over old padding will look good for a few months and then go flat again. Replacing the foam is a small addition to the quote and makes the chair feel new. We tell you what we find when we inspect your chairs, and itemise fabric, foam and labour separately in a written estimate so there are no surprises.

5. Loose joints, wobbles and tired wood

Dining chairs are racked daily, so wobbly legs and loose rails are common. Re-gluing joints while the chair is apart is far cheaper than doing it later, and our furniture repair service handles it. If the wood finish is scratched or dull, we can also strip and refinish it - see furniture refinishing in Montreal - so the whole chair looks new, not just the seat.

6. Is it worth it? Reupholster or replace

As a rule of thumb, solid-wood or well-built frames are worth recovering; flimsy particleboard chairs usually are not. Sentimental sets, inherited pieces and chairs that match a table you love are almost always worth it. Our is it worth reupholstering? guide walks through the decision, and the full reupholstery cost guide covers sofas, armchairs and headboards too.

7. How the quote and timeline work

Send photos and the number of chairs through our quote form (or call (514) 481-2652). We confirm the chair type, agree on fabric and send a free written estimate. Dining chair sets are often finished in 1 to 2 weeks after the fabric is confirmed, and we offer pickup and delivery across Greater Montreal. You can also visit the studio at 2535 Boul. Cavendish in NDG to touch fabric samples. See our dining chair service page for examples.

Dining chair reupholstery FAQ

How much does it cost to reupholster dining chairs in Montreal?

It depends mainly on whether the seats are drop-in or fully upholstered, how many chairs are in the set, the fabric you choose and whether foam or frame repairs are needed. Drop-in seats are the most economical; fully upholstered chairs cost more per chair. Atlas gives a free written estimate with fabric, foam and labour itemised.

How much does it cost to reupholster 6 dining chairs?

Six chairs is one of the most common jobs at Atlas, and the per-chair rate is lower on a set than on a single chair. The total depends on seat style and fabric, so send a photo and the count for an exact free quote.

Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new dining chairs?

For solid, well-built frames, reupholstering is usually the better value and keeps a set that matches your table. Cheap particleboard chairs are often not worth recovering.

How long does it take to reupholster a set of dining chairs?

Dining chair sets are often completed in 1 to 2 weeks after the fabric is confirmed, depending on the set size and the workshop schedule.

What is the best fabric for dining chairs?

Tightly woven performance fabric, faux leather or leather in mid-to-dark tones. They wipe clean and stand up to spills and daily use. Avoid pale, loosely woven fabrics.

Can you replace the foam and fix wobbly chair legs at the same time?

Yes. Atlas replaces tired foam and re-glues loose joints while the chairs are apart, and can refinish the wood so the whole chair looks new.

Get a free quote for your dining chairs

Send us a photo of one chair (a shot from the side and one of the underside helps), tell us how many are in the set and whether you have a fabric in mind. We reply within 24 hours with a free, no-obligation written estimate, and we pick up and deliver across Greater Montreal. Family-run on Cavendish since 1967.