Sofa Reupholstery Cost in Montreal: What Really Sets the Price
Size, fabric, cushions, foam, springs and frame repair - what moves the price of reupholstering a loveseat, sofa or sectional, from Atlas Upholstering on Cavendish since 1967.
A sofa is the most expensive piece of seating most people own, so it is no surprise that the first question we hear is: how much does it cost to reupholster a sofa? The honest answer is that it depends on the sofa. We do not publish a fixed price list, because a small loveseat with a tight back and a large sectional with loose cushions are very different jobs. Below is what actually moves the number, so you can judge your own piece before you send us a photo.
1. Size and number of seats
Size drives both labour and fabric. A loveseat is the smallest job, a three-seat sofa sits in the middle, and sectionals, sleepers and extra-deep sofas cost the most because there is simply more to strip, pattern and re-cover. Extra pieces such as an ottoman or matching armchair are quoted alongside the sofa, and doing them together keeps the fabric consistent.
2. Style and construction details
Two sofas of the same length can need very different amounts of work. These are the details that add time:
| Detail | Why it matters | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| Tight back, simple arms | Fewer separate panels to cut and sew | Most economical |
| Loose seat and back cushions | Each cushion is a separate cover, often with a zipper and welting | Mid-range, rises with the number of cushions |
| Tufting, channels or piping | Hand work, extra fabric and careful pattern matching | Higher |
| Skirt, pleats or exposed wood | More panels, or wood that may need touching up | Mid to high |
If you are unsure what you have, a couple of photos from the front and the side are enough for us to tell.
3. Fabric: how much and what kind
A three-seat sofa often needs well over a dozen yards of standard-width fabric, and patterned cloth that has to be matched across cushions and arms uses more. That is why fabric is the biggest lever you control: a durable mid-range performance fabric and a premium velvet can sit very far apart on the final quote even though the labour is the same. Our upholstery fabric guide explains durability ratings, pets and sunlight, and what to avoid. You can also bring your own fabric - check the width and abrasion rating with us first so there is enough and it is suited to upholstery.
4. Leather, faux leather or fabric
Genuine leather generally costs more than most fabrics, and it takes more skill to cut and sew, so it raises both materials and labour. Faux leather and performance fabrics sit in between and clean easily, which suits households with kids or pets. If your leather couch is only scuffed or split rather than worn out, a repair may be all you need - see our leather couch and sofa repair service.
5. What is under the fabric: foam, springs and frame
This is the part you cannot see in a photo and the most common reason a sofa quote changes. If the foam has collapsed, the webbing has sagged or a spring has broken, new fabric over tired padding will look good briefly and then go flat. We inspect all of it when the sofa is stripped and itemise foam, springs and labour separately in the written estimate. Loose or cracked frame joints are re-glued and reinforced while the sofa is apart; our sofa repair and furniture repair services handle that, so you are not paying to recover a frame that will fail again.
6. Reupholster or buy new?
Reupholstering makes the most sense when the frame is solid hardwood, the sofa is comfortable, or the piece is sentimental or custom-sized and hard to replace. It is usually not worth it for a lightweight frame that is already coming apart. Our is it worth reupholstering? guide walks through the decision, and the full reupholstery cost guide covers chairs, headboards and more. Setting up a set of dining chairs too? See the dining chair cost guide.
7. How the quote works
Send photos of the front, side and back of your sofa and a note about fabric through our quote form, or call (514) 481-2652. We confirm the construction, agree on fabric and send a free written estimate. The timeline depends on the workshop schedule and when your fabric is confirmed, and we offer pickup and delivery across Greater Montreal, so you do not have to move the sofa yourself.
Sofa reupholstery FAQ
How much does it cost to reupholster a sofa in Montreal?
It depends mainly on the size of the sofa, how much fabric it needs, the style (tight back or loose cushions, tufting, piping, skirt), whether the foam and springs need work and the fabric you choose. Atlas does not publish a fixed price list; we give a free written estimate with fabric, foam and labour itemised once we see photos.
Is it cheaper to reupholster a couch or buy a new one?
For a solid, well-built frame, reupholstering is usually better value than buying a comparable new sofa, and you keep the shape you already like. A flimsy frame with broken joints or particleboard is often not worth recovering.
Does the price include new foam and springs?
Not automatically. New fabric over worn padding looks good for a few months and then sags, so we inspect the foam, webbing and springs and itemise any replacement separately in the written estimate.
Does leather cost more to reupholster than fabric?
Genuine leather usually costs more than most fabrics and takes more skill to cut and sew, while faux leather and performance fabrics sit in between. The right choice depends on pets, kids, sunlight and how you use the sofa.
Can I supply my own fabric for my sofa?
Yes. Customer-supplied fabric is welcome. Check the width, pattern repeat and abrasion rating with us first so there is enough cloth and it suits upholstery use.
Do you pick up and deliver sofas in Montreal?
Yes. Atlas offers pickup and delivery across Greater Montreal, and you can also visit the studio at 2535 Boul. Cavendish in NDG to see fabric samples.
Get a free quote for your sofa
Send us a few photos of your sofa (front, side and back), tell us the style 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.