Re-upholstery cost?

Frayed Knot

Frayed Knot

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Bit of a "How long's a piece of string" question I know, but...

We're looking at buying a new (1980s) 36' cruiser/racer which, among other things, has pretty tired looking upholstery, well due for replacement. Does anyone have recent experience of having similar work done who can give me a rough idea of the cost involved? It's a fairly trad. layout - V/double, 1x settee, dinette & quarter berth.

Any advice gratefully received
 
Last year I was quoted about £1200 for a 6 berth boat - but we don't have any seat backs and the like - adding those could double it
 
April 2012 Prices For Cushions: Rival 41C

Completed the new cushion work in April this year. Cost was £2100. Local upholsterer, not marine type.

Aft Cabin: 2 berths
Pilot Bert: 1 berths
Saloon: Port and Starboard, seats and back rests, side seats and back rests port side only.
Navigation Seat: single sized seat.

Total cushions: 12 pieces, zips, buttons, liner, 2" velcro for cushion backs. No piping or other trim except buttons mentioned.

Price included new foam, covers, measuring at the Marina, Trial foam fit at the marina, delivery and fit at the marina, plus one recut after trial fit. All foam and materials are fire retardant and have labels attached.
 
Frayed Knot said:
Bit of a "How long's a piece of string" question I know, but...

We're looking at buying a new (1980s) 36' cruiser/racer which, among other things, has pretty tired looking upholstery, well due for replacement. Does anyone have recent experience of having similar work done who can give me a rough idea of the cost involved? It's a fairly trad. layout - V/double, 1x settee, dinette & quarter berth.

Any advice gratefully received
Click to expand...

My boat is fairly similar, and I got new upholstery on the existing foam, about 5 years ago, for in the region of £1200. The main cabin is Microcare fabric, with which I'm very pleased. The other berths, which aren't really on display, are PVC to keep down the cost.
If new foam is required, the cost is considerably increased.
A local upholsterer is likely to be cheaper than a marine supplier IMHO, esp if you can take the cushions to the premises.
 
Frayed Knot said:
Bit of a "How long's a piece of string" question I know, but...

We're looking at buying a new (1980s) 36' cruiser/racer which, among other things, has pretty tired looking upholstery, well due for replacement. Does anyone have recent experience of having similar work done who can give me a rough idea of the cost involved? It's a fairly trad. layout - V/double, 1x settee, dinette & quarter berth.

Any advice gratefully received
Click to expand...

As usual, anything pre-fixed 'marine' costs double/more.

You may want to check companies providing upholstery for caravans.
This one (no connection) seems quite reassonable.
 
Frayed Knot said:
Thank you, was that including foam?
Click to expand...
Yes - the foam in ours is so old they would not recover it. For our boat the cost of new foam for all the cushions (say a good quality 4" reflex foam) would come to about £200-£300. I think reasonable fabric would cost about £400-500 - so doing it myself would probably cost around £800. All figures very approximate
 
Frayed Knot said:
Thanks, all. That's really helpful. I'll allow about £2k+ in the budget & as always, avoid the "marine" jokers.

bedouin - unfortunately diy is not an option - can't sew, won't sew!
Click to expand...
Not really an option for me either - but I find it useful to know the cost of the materials to assess whether I am being offered a good price or not
 
Being kinda in the trade;)........I would agree that the small back street upholsterer is likely to be cheaper than a larger well known firm (smaller firm lower overheads).....If you have the existing cushions and just want them replaced like for like, take one to your local upholsterer with the dimensions of the others and ask for a quote......trips to boats to measure up and fit all cost time and money;)

To find a reputable upholsterer try this link http://www.upholsterers.co.uk/....
I used to be a member until I semiretired:D
 
We did our own. Foam was £300ish. Material would have been up to £30m from most suppliers but we have still some good fent length and end of roll guys in Lancashire so bought at £5m. Again my thumbs up for non'marine' supplier.
 
For a Bene 473, think it was 16 cushions, paid £650 for the material (which was stain resistant and fire retardant)
http://www.sekersfabrics.co.uk/seker...roduct/sahara/

(and ended up with quite a bit of the material left over)

and £450 for fitting .
Same foam used, new zips and velcro fitted, and a tweed type backing to allow it to "breath".
Good value I thought, the guy who did the work had absolutely nothing to do with boats.
 
just accepted a quote for mine to be done;
- two 6x2ft quarter berth cushions
- 4 3x2ft(ish) cushions + 1 infill for the fo'c'sle
- new foam + antibacterial/fungal, tough easy clean fabric


£1200 all in, which I don't think is too bad
 
LittleSister said:
EastCoastBernie of this parish does boat upholstery. Usually to be found on the East Coast Forum, though I can't remember seeing her posting lately. Might be worth asking her for advice/quote.

I've no connection and no experience of her work, but I recall others saying they were pleased with it.
Click to expand...
Berths her boat, Beyond Reason, at Levington, Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
 
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