Furniture Repair & Upholstery Services in Austin
Repairing or reupholstering a quality piece of furniture almost always costs less than replacing it with something of equal quality. Austin has a solid network of furniture repair specialists and upholsterers.
Upholstery Shops
Austin Custom Brass & Upholstery has been operating in Austin for years. They handle everything from simple re-covering to full frame repairs. Turnaround is typically 3-6 weeks.
ML Upholstery on East Cesar Chavez is popular for residential work. They’re known for clean work and reasonable pricing relative to the quality.
Upholstery Cost Estimates
Pricing varies based on the piece, fabric choice, and current workload, but here are rough ranges for Austin:
- Dining chair seat recover: $75-150 per chair
- Armchair reupholster: $600-1,200
- Sofa reupholster: $1,200-3,000
- Sectional reupholster: $2,000-5,000+
- Fabric costs: $20-100+ per yard (you’ll need 7-15 yards for a sofa)
Custom fabric adds significantly to the total. Consider using the shop’s in-stock fabrics or sourcing from discount fabric outlets.
Wood Furniture Repair and Refinishing
South Austin Woodshop handles repairs and refinishing on wood furniture. Good option for dining tables, dressers, and desks that need structural work or surface restoration.
Austin Furniture Repair does both in-shop and on-site repairs. They handle everything from wobbly chairs to water-damaged tabletops.
Common Repairs and Costs
- Chair regluing (loose joints): $50-150
- Table refinishing (strip and restain): $200-600 depending on size
- Drawer repair (runners, slides): $50-100 per drawer
- Veneer repair: $100-300 depending on extent
- Scratch and dent repair: $50-200
When to Repair vs. Replace
Repair makes sense when:
- The piece has solid wood or quality frame construction
- The item has sentimental or vintage value
- A comparable new piece would cost more than the repair
- The damage is structural (joints, springs) rather than aesthetic
Replace makes sense when:
- The piece is made of particleboard or MDF
- The frame is cracked or warped beyond repair
- Repair costs exceed 60-70% of replacement cost for a comparable item
- The piece was inexpensive to begin with
Finding the Right Shop
Ask to see examples of previous work, especially on pieces similar to yours. A good upholsterer will be upfront about what’s realistic and what isn’t. Be wary of shops that quote without seeing the piece in person. The condition of the frame and existing materials matters.
Lead times in Austin typically run 3-8 weeks for upholstery work. Plan accordingly, especially if you’re working around a move or renovation timeline. If the math doesn’t work out for repair, our guide to the best furniture stores in Austin can help you find a replacement.