La-Z-Boy reupholstery typically costs $600-$2,400 for a recliner and $1,500-$5,000 for a sofa, depending on size, fabric, labor, and repairs. A local upholsterer’s quote can rise when the furniture has a complex reclining mechanism, damaged frame, or premium leather.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recliner reupholstery | $600 | $1,300 | $2,400 | Fabric and standard labor; repairs extra |
| Two-seat sofa | $1,500 | $2,800 | $4,500 | Varies with fabric and cushion count |
| Three-seat sofa | $1,800 | $3,500 | $5,000 | More for leather or extensive repairs |
| Fabric | $25 per yard | $60 per yard | $150+ per yard | Upholstery-grade fabric; specialty textiles cost more |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for an independent upholstery shop, standard fabric, ordinary access, and no major frame or mechanism replacement.
What La-Z-Boy Recliner and Sofa Reupholstery Usually Costs
For a typical La-Z-Boy recliner, expect a total of $600-$2,400, with many standard fabric jobs landing near $1,300. A small chair or uncomplicated rocker recliner may fall at the low end; a large power recliner with multiple panels, attached headrest, and cushion repairs is more likely to approach the high end.
A La-Z-Boy loveseat commonly costs $1,200-$3,200 to reupholster, while a sofa often runs $1,800-$5,000. Sectionals can exceed $5,000 because each seat, corner, chaise, and cushion adds upholstery labor and material. Prices assume replacement of the visible upholstery rather than a full rebuild of the furniture.
For a common fabric recliner, budgeting about $1,000-$1,700 is a practical starting point. Quotes depend on whether the shop can reuse sound padding and frame parts, as well as the exact model and fabric choice. Older or discontinued designs may require extra time to pattern and fit the new covering.
The brand name alone does not set a standard reupholstery price. Independent shops generally quote by the furniture’s construction and condition. Buyers can ask a La-Z-Boy store whether it offers a service referral or model-specific support, but should compare that response with local upholsterers’ written estimates.
How Fabric, Labor, and Repairs Shape the Quote
A reupholstery estimate combines fabric, skilled labor, and any work needed beneath the cover. Upholstery work is labor-intensive: the shop removes old material, labels and uses it as a pattern where suitable, cuts new pieces, sews seams, and refits the cover around the furniture’s contours and mechanisms.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | $25-$150+ per yard | Grade, pattern matching, stain resistance | Per yard |
| Labor | $400-$1,600 | Seat count, seams, recliner access | $50-$100 per hour |
| Foam and batting | $75-$450 | Number of cushions and foam density | Per cushion or job |
| Frame or spring repair | $100-$600 | Loose joints, broken springs, access | Per repair |
| Pickup and delivery | $75-$300 | Distance, stairs, furniture size | Per round trip |
Fabric quantities vary considerably. A recliner may use roughly 8-14 yards, while a sofa may require 14-22 yards; large patterns can need additional yardage to align stripes or motifs. A shop may supply fabric at retail pricing or accept customer-provided material, sometimes with restrictions or a separate handling charge.
Labor and fabric together usually account for most of the total, while hidden repairs create the widest quote surprises. Ask whether the price includes cushion foam, removal of old upholstery, tax, transportation, and a warranty. A labor estimate may be expressed as , but many shops quote the entire job rather than billing by the hour.
Why Recliner Size, Fabric Grade, and Mechanisms Matter
Furniture dimensions and construction are major price drivers. A compact manual recliner with a simple back can cost several hundred dollars less than an oversized power model with a separate footrest, headrest, and multiple moving panels. If a recliner has a lift or power feature, upholstery labor may require careful handling around wiring and mechanical parts.
Fabric choice changes both material cost and work time. Basic upholstery fabric may cost $25-$50 per yard, midgrade options often cost $50-$100, and premium performance fabric or leather can run $100-$250 or more per yard. Leather is priced and measured differently by hide, and matching color or grain across panels can increase material needs.
Two specifications worth checking are fabric price per yard and the shop’s included fabric allowance. A quote that includes $40-per-yard material is not directly comparable with one that allows $90-per-yard fabric. Patterned fabric may also require 10%-20% extra yardage for matching, particularly on large cushions or visible seams.
Condition matters as much as appearance. Sagging cushions may need new foam, and a worn seat deck, broken spring, loose frame joint, or damaged recliner linkage can add $100-$600 or more. Shops often cannot confirm concealed damage until the old cover is removed, so the estimate should explain how additional repairs will be approved and priced.
How Many Shop Hours a La-Z-Boy Reupholstery Job Takes
A standard recliner can require roughly 8-16 labor hours, while a sofa may take 20-40 hours. Intricate channeling, tufting, skirt details, patterned fabric, and power-recliner construction add time. At an effective shop rate of $50-$100 per hour, labor can represent $400-$1,600 for a recliner and $1,000-$4,000 for a sofa, although packaged bids may not show labor separately.
Turnaround is commonly two to eight weeks, depending on the shop’s queue, fabric availability, and repair needs. A special-order textile or a busy season can extend that schedule. Pickup and delivery may be included locally, charged separately, or unavailable for customers outside the shop’s service area.
Get the expected completion window and any storage or pickup charges in writing. Before transport, measure doorways, stair turns, and the furniture’s overall dimensions. A large recliner may be difficult to move without disassembly, and extra handling can add roughly $50-$200 when access is tight.
Shops may charge a diagnostic or estimate fee of $25-$100, sometimes credited toward the completed job. Minimum charges can apply even to a small repair or a single cushion because setup, cutting, and sewing take substantial time. Confirm whether the estimate is free and whether it covers inspection of the reclining mechanism.
Reupholstery Versus Replacement or a New Slipcover
Reupholstery can make sense when the frame is sturdy, the furniture fits the room, and the owner wants to keep a familiar model. It is less attractive when the quote approaches the cost of a comparable new chair or sofa, particularly if the frame, springs, and mechanism also need work. New La-Z-Boy furniture prices vary widely by model and promotion, so compare current local purchase quotes rather than relying on list price.
A fitted slipcover or professionally made cover can cost about $150-$800, depending on size and fabric. It is usually less expensive than full upholstery, but may shift on a reclining chair, cover controls, or fit poorly around moving sections. A repair to one damaged panel or one cushion may cost $150-$600 if the rest of the upholstery is in good condition.
Compare the reupholstery estimate with the price of a replacement that matches the furniture’s size, comfort, and features. If the upholstery quote is more than half the replacement price, the frame and mechanism should be assessed carefully before proceeding. A repair-and-cleaning option may be preferable when fabric damage is limited and the structure remains sound.
DIY upholstery kits may appear cheaper, but recliners have fitted panels and moving parts that make installation difficult. A kit can run $100-$500 or more for materials, without labor or guaranteed fit. DIY is most realistic for a removable cushion or simple cover; complex recliner work can result in stretched seams, restricted movement, or costly correction by a professional.
Three Example Quotes for Different La-Z-Boy Projects
These sample budgets illustrate how the same brand can produce very different bills. They assume an independent shop, ordinary access, and no major frame replacement. Local rates and fabric allowances can shift each total.
| Project | Scope and material | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual recliner | 10 yards at $45 per yard; minor batting | 10 hours at $65 per hour | $1,200-$1,500 |
| Power recliner | 13 yards at $85 per yard; one cushion refreshed | 15 hours at $80 per hour | $2,000-$2,700 |
| Three-seat sofa | 20 yards at $65 per yard; three cushions refilled | 30 hours at $75 per hour | $3,300-$4,300 |
The manual recliner example includes about $450 in fabric and $650 in labor before smaller supplies, pickup, or tax. The power recliner has a higher material allowance and more fitting work around its mechanism. The sofa example reflects additional yardage, sewing, and cushion work; ornate trim or patterned fabric could push it higher.
Use itemized examples to check that each quote covers the same work and material grade. A low total may exclude new foam or delivery, while a higher quote may include repairs and a better fabric allowance. Ask the shop to list any likely extra charges and to obtain approval before exceeding the quoted amount.
How U.S. Region and Delivery Distance Affect Upholstery Prices
Labor rates and business overhead vary by location. In large coastal metros and high-cost cities, upholstery quotes can run about 15%-35% above a typical national-market estimate. Smaller cities and rural areas may be 5%-20% below, although fewer nearby shops can limit competition and increase delivery distance.
For example, a $1,300 standard recliner job in a mid-priced market might be quoted at roughly $1,500-$1,750 in a high-cost metro, or $1,050-$1,250 in a lower-cost area. These are directional comparisons, not fixed regional price lists. Local fabric availability, shop backlog, and travel charges can outweigh the broad regional difference.
Compare at least two or three quotes from shops that regularly handle recliners. Use the same model, fabric grade, cushion scope, and pickup terms when comparing. A shop farther away might offer a lower labor price but add $100-$300 for transport, making the final difference small.
Sales tax may apply to upholstery labor or materials depending on state and local rules. Quotes may also omit disposal of old fabric or charge for unusually bulky pickup. Confirm whether tax, delivery, and removal are included, especially when comparing a shop quote with an estimate from a furniture store.
Which Scope Choices Can Lower the Reupholstery Bill
Keeping the project focused is one of the clearest ways to control price. If only a cushion or arm panel is damaged, ask whether a matching repair is practical before replacing every cover. Exact fabric matches may be unavailable on older La-Z-Boy models, so request a close-match swatch and compare the appearance before authorizing partial work.
Choose a durable midgrade fabric rather than selecting a premium textile solely for its label. A $45-per-yard option instead of a $100-per-yard fabric can reduce material expense by several hundred dollars on a sofa. Solid colors or small-scale patterns can also reduce waste and sewing time compared with large repeats that need careful alignment.
Ask for a base quote and separate prices for optional foam, repairs, fabric upgrades, and delivery. This makes it easier to distinguish essential work from improvements that can wait. Do not skip necessary structural repair simply to lower the initial total; a fresh cover over a failing frame can lead to another major expense.
Prepare accurate photos and the model name or furniture tag before requesting estimates. Clear images of the front, back, cushions, damaged areas, and recliner controls help shops judge scope. If the furniture is easy to transport, customer drop-off may save a delivery fee, but confirm the shop’s handling and storage arrangements first.
Schedule around the shop’s normal workload rather than requesting rush service. Rush or priority work can add roughly 10%-25% when available, and fabric orders may still control the timeline. Compare written estimates for fabric grade, yardage allowance, labor scope, repairs, tax, and warranty—not only the headline total.