UPHOLSTERY LABOR TIME FOR FURNITURE
(APPROXIMATES)

AVERAGE LABOR TIME


Average labor time on the average chair to remove and replace the fabric is appoximately eight (8) to ten (10) hours. To remove and replace a coil spring seat will take approximately two and a half (2 1/2) to four (4) hours. The average chair can easily take eight (8) to fourteen (14) hours labor to upholster.

Average labor time on the average sofa to remove and replace the fabric is appoximately sixteen (16) to twenty two (22) hours. To remove and replace a coil spring seat will take approximately for(4) to eight (8) hours. The average sofa can easily take sixteen (16) to twenty eight (28) hours labor to upholster.

Accessory trim such as double welt, upholstered buttons, fitted skirts, decorative nails, borders, etc. will add labor time to these estimates.

All times indicated in this chart are based on an experienced upholsterer. These times can vary some depending on the experience of the upholsterer and style of furniture being upholstered. The intent of this chart is to give "Approximate" times to help in determining time involved to upholstery furniture. In conjunction with the Overhead How-To and the Overhead Worksheet an upholstery shop can figure what they need to charge for their work to cover their expenses and wages.

STRIPPING/FABRIC REMOVAL


Cambric
Base Welt
Bottom of outer arm and back
Skirt
Outer Arms
Outer Back
Bottom of Inner Arms
Bottom on Inner Back
Back of Inner Back
Back of Inner Arm
Front of Inner Arm
Top of Inner Back
Seat Deck
Outer Wing
Inner Wing
Tack Panels
Decorative Nails
Double Welt
Scroll Gimp
Front Border
Arm Borders
Back Border
Buttons (10)
Legs
Swivel Base
Rocker Base
Clean Up
(removal of tacks & staples left from stripping)
Total Approx. Stripping time
(Depending on style and treatment)		 Chairs

2 1/2 min.
2 1/2 min.
5 min.
5 min.
10 min.
7 min.
10 min.
5 min.
7 1/2 min.
5 min.
10 min.
10 min.
15 min.
10 min.
10 min.
5 min.
5 min. per ft.
5 min.
5 min.
10 min.
20 min.
15 min.
2 1/2 min.
6 min.
15 min.
15 min.
30 min.

1 1/2 to 2 3/4 hrs.

 Sofas

3 3/4 min.
3 3/4 min.
12 1/2 min.
12 1/2 min.
10 min.
17 1/2 min.
10 min.
12 1/2 min.
18 3/4 min.
5 min.
10 min.
15 min.
37 1/2 min.
10 min.
10 min.
5 min.
5 min. per ft.
7 1/2 min.
7 1/2 min.
15 min.
20 min.
22 1/2 min.
2 1/2 min.
7 1/2 min.


30 min.

2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hrs.


Stripping times are approximate. It is assumed that the old fabric is not needed for a pattern. If the fabric is needed for a pattern, double the time fore it's removal. it is assumed that the back up support fabric (cardboard, burlap, scrape) Decorative nails, double welt, gimp, border padding etc. will be replaced.

PADDING REMOVAL



Inner Arm
Inner Back
Seat Deck
Front Edge
Fox Edge
Clean Up
 Chair

20 min.
15 min.
2 1/2 min.
2 1/2 min.
6 min.
15 min.
 Sofa

20 min.
22 1/2 min.
6 1/4 min.
6 1/4 min.
12 1/2 min.
22 1/2 min.


PADDING SUPPORT FABRIC REMOVAL
Inner Arm
Inner Wing
Inner Back
Deck Seat
Clean Up
 10 min.
5 min.
10 min.
10 min.
15 min.
 10 min.
5 min.
15 min.
15 min.
22 1/2 min.


SPRING REMOVAL
Inner Back
Seat
Clean Up
 10 min.
20 min.
25 min.
 15 min.
30 min.
37 min.


SPRING SUPPORT FABRIC REMOVAL
(Webbing, Sagless, etc.)
Inner Back
Inner Arm
Inner Wing
Seat
Clean Up

Seat Removal
Total Approximate Time
 15 min.
5 min.
20 min.
15 min.
15 min.

1 to 1 1/2 hrs.

 22 min.
5 min.
30 min.
37 min.
20 min.

2 1/2 to 3 3/4 hrs.


FRAME REPAIR
Glueing and Repair
 30 min.
 30 min.


STERILAZATION
Spray or Balm
 5 min.
 5 min.


SUPPORT FABRIC REPLACEMENT

Seat
Sagless
Webbing 3/4
Webbing Full
Metal Band

Inner Back
Sagless or Sub
Webbing 3/4

Inner Arm
Sagless of Sub
Webbing

Inner Wing
Sagless of Sub
Webbing
 Chair

30 min.
30 min.
45 min.
1 1/2 min. per ft.


30 min.
30 min.


15 min.
5 min.


10 min.
5 min.
 Sofa

45 min.
45 min.
1 hr. 52 min.
1 1/2 min. per ft.


45 min.
45 min.


15 min.
5 min.


10 min.
5 min.


Spring Replacement
(Klinch-it)
Four (4) way tie with spacer ties
Eight (8) way tie
Stitch spring to webbing of sagless
Spring Unit Repair or Replacement
Zig Zag or "S" spring Replace spring or clips

 15 min. each spring
20 min. each spring
add 3 min. each spring
30 min. per unit
10 min. each
Seat Replacement
Total Approximate Time using Sagless,
7 to 9 springs 4 way tie w/spacers.		 2 to 3 1/2 hrs.


 5 to 8 1/2 hrs.


REPLACE PADDING SUPPORT FABRIC
(Burlap)
Seat Deck
Inner Back
Inner Arm
Inner Wing

 15 min.
15 min.
20 min.
10 min.
 37 min.
22 min.
20 min.
10 min.


REPLACE PADDING
Fox Edge
Floating
Fixed
Front Edge
Deck
Finger Edge
Inner Arm
Inner Back
Inner Wing
 10 min. per ft.

5 min. per ft.
10 min. per ft.
5 min.
5 min. per ft.
22 min.
30 min.
15 min.
 10 min. per ft.

5 min. per ft.
10 min. per ft.
12 min.
5 min. per ft.
22 min.
45 min.
15 min.


CUT & SEW
Chair

Front Edge & Seat Deck
Inner Arm
Fitted Front Panel
Inner Back (tight)
Inner Back (boxed)
Inner Wing
Outer Arm
Outer Back
Outer Wing
Welt (cut & sew)
Pillow Back
Skirt
Borders
Double Welt
Arm Covers
 Plain/Solid
20 min.
10 min.
10 min.
10 min.
15 min.
10 min.
10 min.
10 min.
10 min.

20 min.
1 hr.


20 min.
 Center Match
30 min.
15 min.
10 min.
15 min.
25 min.
15 min.
15 min.
15 min.
15 min.
1 1/2 min. per yard
30 min.
1 hr
2 1/2 to 5 min. per yard
5 min. per yard
20 min.
 Full Match
45 min.
25 min.
15 min.
15 min.
40 min.
20 min.
20 min.
20 min.
20 min.

30 min.
1 hr. 30 min.


20 min.

Total Approximate Cut and
Sewing time - Plain Fabric
1 hr. 30 min. to 3 hrs.


Sofa

Front Edge & Seat Deck
Inner Arm
Fitted Front Panel
Inner Back (tight)
Inner Back (boxed)
Inner Wing
Outer Arm
Outer Back
Outer Wing
Welt (cut & sew)
Pillow Back
Skirt
Borders
Double Welt
Arm Covers
 Plain/Solid
50 min.
10 min.
10 min.
20 min.
35 min..
10 min.
10 min.
15 min.
10 min.

50 min.
1 hr. 30 min.


20 min.
 Center Match
1 hr. 15 min.
15 min.
10 min.
30 min.
1 hr.
15 min.
15 min.
20 min.
15 min.
1 1/2 min. per yard
1 hr. 15 min.
2 hr
2 1/2 to 5 min. per yard
5 min. per yard
20 min.
 Full Match
45 min.
25 min.
15 min.
15 min.
40 min.
20 min.
20 min.
20 min.
20 min.

30 min.
1 hr. 30 min.


20 min.

Total Approximate Cut and
Sewing time - Plain Fabric
2 hr. 15 min. to 4 hrs. 30 min.


MISCELLANEOUS TRIM

Decorative Nails
Scroll Gimp
Upholstered Buttons
Cushion Zipper
Remove and Replace
Cushion Fill with new foam
15 min. per foot to apply
2 1/2 min. per foot to apply
2 1/2 min. to make - 2 1/2 min. to install - total: 5 min.
10 min. per foot

10 min.


REPLACE FABRIC COVER


Seat Deck & Front Edge
Inner Arm
Inner Wing
Inner Back
Outer Wing
Outer Arm
Outer Back
Base Welt
Skirt
Borders
Double Welt
Cambric
Legs
Swivel Base
Rocker Base

Total Approximate Upholstery
Time - Inside and Out
 Chair

45 min.
30 min.
20 min.
45 min.
30 min.
30 min.
40 min.
45 min.
5 min. per foot
2 1/2 min. per foot
15 min.
5 min.
15 min.
15 min.



5 1/2 to 7 1/2 hrs.		 Sofa

1 hr. 15 min.
30 min.
20 min.
1 hr. 15 min.
30 min.
30 min.
60 min.
1 hr. 50 min.
5 min. per foot
2 1/2 min. per foot
30 min.
8 min.





13 1/2 to 18 1/2 hrs.


CUSHIONS (Average 24" x 24")
Square Cushion - welted
Square Cushion - no welt
T Cushion - welted
T Cushion - no welt
1/2 T Cushion - welted
1/2 T Cushion - no welt
Pillow Back
 Cut
20 min.
15 min.
30 min.
25 min.
30 min..
25 min.
30 min.

 Sewing
25 min.
20 min.
30 min.
25 min.
30 min.
25 min.
30 min.

 Total
45 min.
35 min.
1 hr.
50 min.
1 hr.
50 min.
1 hr.

FOR PRICING: Measure the distance around the cushion (all 4 sides - circumference) and divide the total inches into your shop rate. Your answer can be your per inch price for all cushions.


SUPPLIES USED IN FURNITURE
One Average Chair
Burlap---3 to 5 yds.
Cotton---approx. 1/4 to 1/2 roll (8 to 16 lbs.)
Cambric---1 yd
Cements---approx. 1/4 to 1/2 can (4 to 8 ozs.)
Cardboard Tack Strip---approx. 7 to 9 yds.
Curve Ease/Ply-Grip---when used, approx. 6 yds
Dacron---when used, approx. 6 yds
Denium/Decking---1 yd.
Edge Wire---when used, 3 to 5 yds
Foam---when used, (back 3") 6 1/2 sq. ft. (seat 4"/5") 4 sq. ft.
Glue---where necessary
Horse Hair---when used, loose hair approx. 10 lbs.-sheet approx. 10 sq. ft.
Jute Twine---when used approx. 1/2 to 1 lb.
Muslin---when use, approx. 6yds.
Springs---when used - 3 to 9 coil or 3 to 5 no-sag in Back - 5 to 9 coil or 5 to 7 no-sag in seat.
Staples---5 rows of 1/2" - 10 rows of 3/8"
Tacks---1/4 lb of #12 webbing - 1/4lb # 6 - 1/2 to 1 lb. #3 or #4
Tack Strips---when used, 2 to 4
Webbing---Seat - 8 to 11 yds, Back 6 to 8 yds, Arms 2 yds
        Sagless Webbing sub. Seat - 1 yd, Back - 1 1/2 yds
Welt Cord---approx. 15 yds.
Miscellaneous Items---Decorative nails, scroll gimp, double welt cord, down (4 1/2 lbs, per cushion), additional dacron & poly for cushions, sprays & polishes, etc. All are used by the yard or the pound.

A sofa will use approximately 2 1/2 times as much as the average chair.

All of the above amounts will vary from chair to chair, depending upon size, style & treatment (ie. fabric pattern, number of borders, type of skirt-plain or box pleat - number and style of cushions and type of fill, etc.) it will receive when RE-UPHOLSTERED.