At a Glance:
Furniture Repair Costs Are Not Cheap
Not All Furniture Repairs Are the Same
Furniture Repair Comes with Risks
Repairing vs Replacing Furniture
Many homeowners turn to furniture repair in hopes of preserving a treasured piece they can’t bear to part with or getting more mileage out of a piece of furniture. Whatever your motivation, it’s important to understand furniture restoration prices and what the process entails before making the jump. While furniture repair is a great alternative to purchasing new furnishing, it isn’t always easier—not to mention, it comes with risks and costs you time. If you’re wondering “How much does furniture repair cost?” and similar questions, follow along as explain the pros and cons of furniture restoration, how you can protect your furniture, and where to go when it’s time to replace a beloved piece.
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Shop In-Stock FurnitureFurniture Repair Costs Are Not Cheap
The cost to repair furniture might surprise you. According to Angi, furniture repair costs between $355 and $91, with a national average of $627. Fixr quotes slightly higher furniture repair rates, ranging from $400 to $1,200 and averaging at $800. Overall, the cost depends on the type of furniture, the refinishing method, and labor costs.
One major factor that affects the cost of furniture repair is the extent of the damage. There’s a range of cosmetic repairs like spots on wood, minor cracks, tears in upholstery, or dents and scratches on wood as well as structural repairs like damaged sofa frames, cracked wood, broken springs, or extensively torn fabric. Each repair will have its own unique cost.
Let’s dive into how much furniture repair costs for living room, bedroom, and dining room furniture respectively.
Living Room Furniture Repair Costs
The cost of living room furniture repair varies based on the furniture piece that needs repair and the extent of the damage. A broken sofa leg does not cost much whereas a full spring replacement for a sofa may cost $40 to $50 and a full spring replacement for a recliner or sofa may cost $200 to $350. Repairs like these are worth it because they’re much less than buying a new sofa or recliner.
Furniture upholstery repair is where the costs begin to rise. Cleaning furniture upholstery costs $120 to $240 on average and $50 to $4,000 to replace it altogether. If a piece already has some wear and tear, it’s better to invest in a new chair at that point. Similarly, full sofa reupholstery costs around $1,800, and it may be wiser to put that toward a new sofa instead.
✍ Quick Stats:
- How much does it cost to repair a sofa? $220 to $2,500
- How much does it cost to repair a chair? $50 to $300
- How much does it cost to repair a recliner? $200 to $400
Bedroom Furniture Repair Costs
Refinishing wood bedroom furniture or repairing broken pieces are common bedroom furniture repairs. Again, the cost of bedroom furniture repair depends on what fix is needed. In general, it costs between $300 to $2,000 to refinish a bed or dresser, so if you have more than one piece to repair, things can get pretty costly pretty quickly. If you have wooden bedroom furniture, repairing nicks dents, and scratches typically costs between $175 to $360, while refreshing an old furniture finish costs between $500 and $1,000.
Dining Room Furniture Repair Costs
The most common repairs in the dining room involve damaged wood, broken chair legs, and refinishing wood furniture pieces. Refinishing a large dining table may cost $1,200 to $2,300, while gluing a small split or repairing a broken chair or table leg is much less expensive (in some cases, owners can even DIY these fixe for $10 to $50). Dining chairs typically cost $125 to $200 for a major repair, and a dining set will likely cost between $1,000 to $3,000, or roughly the price of a new dining set.
Not All Furniture Repairs Are the Same
The average furniture repair cost depends on what material you’re repairing.
According to Fixr:
- Leather furniture repair costs anywhere from $30 to $750 per leather hide.
- Wood furniture repair costs between $100 to $500 for minor to major damage.
- Furniture upholstery repair can cost as much as $3,500.
Leather Furniture Repair
Repairing bonded leather is generally less expensive, costing between $100 and $300, but the results may be short-lived depending on the grade of leather used. Restoration typically involves patching or recoloring, but because bonded leather is made from leather scraps bonded with adhesive, it’s more prone to damage and harder to fully restore.
Genuine leather restoration is more costly. The process often involves cleaning, re-dyeing, and repairing scratches or tears. Since genuine leather is more durable and high-quality, repairs tend to be more effective and long-lasting.
Learn more: Is a Leather or Fabric Sofa More Cost-Effective?
Wood Furniture Repair
Restoring composite wood furniture is generally less expensive, ranging from $50 to $200. Repairs may include re-gluing loose parts or refinishing surfaces. However, composite wood is less durable and more prone to damage than solid wood furniture, so the restoration might not be as effective or long-lasting as with solid wood.
Solid wood restoration can be more expensive, typically costing between $200 to $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of wood. Restoration may involve refinishing, repairing cracks, or replacing parts. Solid wood is more durable and valuable, so investing in professional restoration can significantly enhance the furniture's lifespan and appearance.
Good furniture repair is a labor of love that can take weeks to finish. For starters, finding a reputable repair shop may take a few days to a week, especially when comparing quotes or waiting for recommendations. Once you select a shop, arranging for delivery or pickup of the furniture can add another few days. The actual repair process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on the complexity of the work, the shop's workload, and the availability of materials. After the repair is complete, there may be additional time required for the final inspection, payment, and arranging the return of the item.
The process can be time-consuming, meaning customers can be without their furniture for weeks, which can be inconvenient, particularly if it's a frequently used piece.
Furniture Repair Comes with Risks
There's always a risk that the repair might not restore the furniture to its original condition, or the results may not meet your expectations, especially with older or heavily damaged items. Despite these tradeoffs, repairing furniture can be worthwhile for preserving sentimental value or maintaining high-quality pieces.
Here are three common risks that come with furniture repair:
🚩 Risk of More Damage
One of the significant risks in furniture restoration is the potential for further damage, especially if the job is performed by someone lacking the necessary skill or experience. Inexpert handling can result in irreversible harm to delicate materials, structural components, or intricate details, ultimately diminishing the value and usability of a piece.
🚩Inability to Find Identical Materials
Another furniture restoration challenge is sourcing identical materials—particularly for older or custom furniture pieces. Matching fabrics, wood grains, or finishes can be nearly impossible, which may result in a repair that doesn’t fully blend with the original design. This can affect the aesthetic appeal and authenticity of the restored furniture.
🚩Susceptibility to Frame Damage in Older Pieces
Older furniture is often more fragile. During restoration, these pieces are at risk of developing further structural issues, such as cracks or warping. Even well-intentioned repairs can stress an already delicate frame, leading to additional costs or even rendering the piece irreparable.
Repairing vs Replacing Furniture
Wondering whether you should repair vs replace furniture? We’ve already mentioned a few instances where investing in a new piece might be worth it, and here are several more:
| Furniture Repair | Why Replace? |
|---|---|
| Broken Framework | If a furniture’s structural framework is severely damaged or broken, especially in cases where the material has become brittle or warped, replacement is often more practical and cost-effective than repair. |
| Fire Damage | Furniture that has been exposed to fire can suffer from extensive damage, including charring, odor retention, and compromised structural integrity. The cost and effort to repair damage from fire often outweigh the benefits, making replacement the better option. |
| Water Damage | Water can cause significant damage to furniture, such as warping, swelling, or mold growth, particularly in wooden furniture. In many cases, the damage is too severe to repair effectively, and replacement is advisable. |
| Broken Springs | With upholstered furniture, broken springs can be costly to replace and may indicate that the overall structure is nearing the end of its lifespan. When multiple springs are damaged, it’s often more economical to replace the entire piece. |
| Extensive Upholstery Damage | When furniture upholstery is extensively worn, torn, or stained, especially in combination with other structural issues, the cost of reupholstering might approach or exceed the cost of new furniture. |
How to Protect Your Furniture
At Colder’s, we offer service plans to give you peace of mind and protect against unexpected damage. We can help keep your favorite pieces in pristine shape and cut down on unexpected costs. Colder’s 5-year appliance service plan offers protection and convenience. Our service plans include a repair or replacement guarantee. That means if we can’t repair a product, we’re happy to replace it with a product of like kind.
For furniture that you already own, keep reading for tips on how to preserve wood, leather, and upholstered furniture.
Click the ➕to learn more:
➕How to Preserve Wood Furniture
- Keep wood furniture away from direct sunlight to prevent fading, warping, or cracking caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays.
- Dust wood furniture regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove particles that can scratch the surface, and polish the wood with a quality furniture wax or oil to maintain its luster.
- Use coasters, placemats, and protective pads to prevent water rings, heat damage, and scratches from daily use.
➕How to Preserve Leather Furniture
- Clean leather furniture with a damp cloth and a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner designed specifically for leather to avoid drying out or damaging the material.
- Condition the leather every 6 to 12 months with a leather conditioner to keep it supple and prevent cracking or peeling.
- Keep leather furniture away from direct sunlight and heat sources, such as radiators or fireplaces, to avoid fading and drying out the leather.
➕How to Preserve Upholstered Furniture
- Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly using a soft brush attachment to remove dust, dirt, and debris that can cause wear and tear over time.
- Rotate and fluff cushions frequently to ensure even wear and prevent sagging, which helps maintain the furniture's shape and comfort.
- Use fabric protectors or slipcovers to guard against spills, stains, and fading, especially in high-traffic areas or households with pets or children.
Shop Furniture at Colder’s When It’s Time to Replace
Our furniture selection at Colder’s includes pieces for every room of your home with a diverse catalog of design style for every taste .
- Check out our living room selection to find sofas, loveseats, sectionals, living room chairs, ottomans, occasional tables, TV stands and entertainment centers, and theater seating.
- Furnish your bedroom with our stylish beds, dressers, chest of drawers, nightstands, vanity tables, or bedroom collections.
Learn more: Tips for Keeping Your Sofa Looking New
The furniture pieces we style our homes with are more than decoration. They carry memories, so letting go of the sofa, bedroom set, or dining room table isn’t always easy. Luckily, furniture repairing can help homeowners get a few more memories out of their favorite pieces, but sooner or later, the time to replace furnishings will happen. When that time comes, make new memories with the beautiful pieces of furniture found at Colder’s. We’ll even help you set up a protection plan to keep your new purchases protected. Visit one of our Milwaukee furniture stores today to learn more!
FAQ
Can you repair bonded leather furniture?
Bonded leather can be repaired, but the repairs are often temporary and may not restore the furniture to its original condition. Over time, bonded leather tends to peel and crack, so while minor fixes can extend its life, they may not fully prevent further deterioration.
Where can I donate furniture that needs repair?
You can donate furniture that needs repair to organizations like Habitat for Humanity's ReStores, local thrift shops, or community-based charities that accept items for refurbishing. Some nonprofit groups also specialize in repairing and distributing furniture to families in need.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing for your home needs!
Shop Furniture at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you weigh the options between furniture repair and purchase, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: How to Clean Furniture [and Preserve It for Years to Come]
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