You love your couch. It fits the lounge perfectly, everybody has claimed a favourite seat and replacing it feels a little like evicting a member of the family. Whether you are in Pretoria, Johannesburg or elsewhere in Gauteng, the same questions affect the quote: size, fabric, structure, comfort and transport.
Size and design complexity affect the price
A simple two-seater needs less fabric and labour than a large lounge suite. Design also matters. Recliners have moving mechanisms that must be carefully removed and refitted. Chesterfield couches require detailed buttoning, folds and finishing. They look beautiful, but they certainly make the upholsterer earn that cup of tea.
Fabric is normally the biggest cost
Popular choices include velvet, woven upholstery fabric, linen, buffalo suede and leather. Basic upholstery fabrics may start around R150 per metre and range to approximately R400 per metre. Premium fabrics from Hertex and other specialist suppliers can reach R1,000 per metre or more.
At Megabrand Furniture, our entry-level fabric options generally start from approximately R200 per metre. A typical two-seater couch may use around 8 to 10 metres, depending on its dimensions, cushions, pattern and design.
What makes upholstery fabric good quality?
Look at the rub count, strength, expected wear, texture, style and visual appeal. You probably remember Grandma's furniture fabric. It survived three generations and several Christmas lunches, but that does not mean you want your lounge preserved in 1978.
Fabric or genuine leather?
The right choice depends on the style, use and budget. High-quality genuine leather is durable and can age beautifully, but it is normally more expensive. Be careful with materials marketed as genuine leather when they combine leather fibres or hide with synthetic elements. They may imitate genuine leather without offering the same quality or ageing characteristics.
The condition inside the couch matters
A couch may look fine outside while hiding broken joints, stretched webbing or damaged springs. We first assess the general condition, then inspect the frame, support, foam and cushions when the furniture is opened. Beautiful new fabric should not be fitted over a structure that is quietly giving up underneath.
Foam, cushions, legs and finishing
Comfort is what we pay for. Collapsed foam may need replacement or additional padding. A new seat cushion can cost around R900, depending on its size, density and shape. Back-cushion filling may also increase the price. Wooden legs may require sanding, staining and varnishing, while replacement feet have their own cost.
A simple two-seater cost example
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Labour and miscellaneous materials | R2,000 |
| Entry-level fabric | R1,600 |
| Collection and delivery | R1,000 |
| Estimated total | R4,600 |
The transport example allows roughly R500 per trip in Gauteng. Your address, furniture size and access may change that. Foam, structural repairs, premium fabric, leather or refinishing will also affect the final quote.
When a couch is more than a couch
For some people, a couch is sentimental. It is like the family piano: it belongs in the house and carries memories. Older couches are often more stable, durable and comfortable than modern mass-produced furniture. That is where the old and new meet: we preserve the strong frame and familiar comfort while introducing modern fabric and finishing.
Premium pieces from brands such as Bakos Brothers or Weylandts, and designer couches that cost a serious amount, should be handled by experienced upholsterers. Poor work can change the shape, damage the construction and reduce the furniture's value.
Need a couch reupholstery quote?
Send clear front, back, side and damage photos, your suburb and preferred fabric direction. We will assess the next step.
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