Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Cars  > Upholstery for Cars

Upholstery for Cars Cost


How Much Does Upholstery for Cars Cost?

 
low costCustom Seat Covers: $200-$1,800+ Per Row, Professionally Installedaverage costReupholster Car Seats: $200-$750+, Per Seathigh costCompletely Reupholster Interior: $1,000-$10,000+

A vehicle's interior can take a beating from spills, rips, friction, family pets, harsh sunlight and other damaging elements. An update to refresh or upgrade a vehicle's interior style can range from reupholstering just the seats to redoing everything -- seats, panels, headliner, carpets and more.

Typical costs:

  • Custom seat covers (either from the original vehicle manufacturer or, more typically, from a company specializing in seat voers) are made-to-order to fit a specific seat style in a specific year, make and model of vehicle, and can cost $200-$1,000 or more per row, depending on size, style and material. Installation by an auto upholstery shop (which can include adding batting or foam, or repairing springs if needed) can cost an additional $100-$800 or more, bringing total costs to $200-$1,800 or more per row for professional installation of custom slip covers.
  • Having the car seats professionally reupholstered (not just adding slip covers, but completely replacing the old material with a chosen fabric, adding foam or batting where needed, and repairing springs if needed) typically costs $200-$750 per seat, or about $500-$2,000 for two bucket seats and a back bench seat, depending on local rates; the size and style of the seat; the amount of repairs needed to the springs and padding; and whether the seats are reupholstered in standard cloth or vinyl, or with more expensive materials like leather or high-end synthetics.
  • For example, Jim's Auto Upholstery[1] in Nampa, ID has a minimum price of $400 for a truck bench seat, $500 for a pair of bucket seats, $85 for a single motorcycle seat and $250 for a double motorcycle seat; Kathy's Upholstery[2] in Conway, AR primarily recovers furniture, but advertises a starting price of $300 for reupholstering a truck bench and back (or $150 for only the bench).
  • A complete professional reupholstering of a vehicle -- seats, side panels, sail panels (triangular), headliner, carpets and more -- to create a "showroom" interior starts at about $1,000-$4,000 for basic materials but with leather or high-end cloth it can cost $5,000-$10,000 or more, depending on the year, make and model of vehicle, and what is included.
Related articles: Seat Cover, Auto Detailing, Painting a Car, Window Tinting, Chrome Wheels

What should be included:
  • Reupholstering car seats typically requires removing them from the vehicle; removing the fabric; using it to create a pattern for the new material; checking and repairing the springs and padding as needed; installing the new material; and replacing the reupholstered seat in the vehicle. DetailXperts.net provides an overview of the process.
  • Reupholstering the complete interior requires removing the seats and the other items that are being redone. O'Neal & Sons Upholstery in Florida provides a video demonstration of reupholstering a headliner[3] .
Additional costs:
  • An auto upholsterer might charge $150-$300 or more for a simple repair, depending on location and the extent of the damage.
Discounts:
  • As an alternative, universal seat covers that fit a general size and style of seat typically cost $10-$70 each; they don't look as good as custom covers or reupholstered seats, but they generally covers stains or rips and prevent further damage.
  • A do-it-yourself project is also a possibility. DoItYourself.com explains how to reupholster a car seat[4] for just the cost of the material (and spray paint if parts of the seat frame are corroded). Sunbrite Auto Works in Tampa, FL provides a how-to video[5] for recovering a vehicle's headliner (60"-wide foam-backed headliner material typically costs $10-$20 a yard).
  • If the damage is slight or in a limited area, another way to save money is by repairing the upholstery instead of repairing it. Mobil Oil estimates that do-it-yourself auto upholstery repair[6] takes about three hours for a typical project and costs $150-$200.
Shopping for upholstery for cars:
  • Car upholstery work is typically done by automotive upholstery, boat repair, sail or furniture upholstery shops; some car audio specialty stores also reupholster car seats.
  • Request references from previous customers, and ask to see photos of previous jobs. For example, Wright's Auto Upholstery in North Frankfurt, IN has an online portfolio[7] .
post Post   Comments (10)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
1 bucket 3 bench 15 Passenger Wagon
Amount: $1,950.00
Posted by: CEB in Garden Grove, CA.Posted: September 13th, 2020 07:09PM
Upholstery Material: FabricCar Make: Ford
Car Model: E350 xtl wagonCar Year: 01
Shop: Garcias
This job covers the complete replacement of foam and fabric. Installation of new belt straps x3 benches 1 passenger bucket with wiring.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
All new interior
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: Cole 3 in West columbia, SC.Posted: December 15th, 2019 05:12PM
Upholstery Material: Leather Volvo OEMCar Make: Volvo
Car Model: V70Car Year: 2002
Shop: Ottich Enterprise
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Car seats
Amount: $1,500.00
Posted by: Ronnie Warren in Enterprise, AL.Posted: May 21st, 2019 12:05PM
Upholstery Material: RegularCar Make: Chevrolet
Car Model: MalibuCar Year: 2008
All seats need to be done
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
carpet in a Lexus
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: a user in San Diego, CA.Posted: October 5th, 2017 09:10AM
Upholstery Material: LeatherCar Make: Lexus
Car Model: ES350Car Year: 2007
Shop: Jm's Upholstery
I spoke with his daughter, Brenda, who was rude and nasty. I told her that I was told it would cost $150. She stated, "That wouldn't even pay for the carpet." She further stated, "Good find someone else to do it."
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
OEM LEATHER 63 Riviera
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: Jr Bynum in Baltimore, MD.Posted: March 29th, 2017 05:03AM
Shop: Ben"s Auto Glass and Upholstery
$2500 for seats, carpet, carpet mats, weather stripping, window fuzzies, extra carpet and vinyl for kick panels, side panels, windlass, decal, POR paint, package tray detail, headliner detail, refinish partial door panels-materials. $2500. Installation 5 star rating in my book
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
OEM LEATHER 63 Riviera
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: Jr Bynum in Baltimore, MD.Posted: March 29th, 2017 05:03AM
Shop: Ben"s Auto Glass and Upholstery
$2500 for seats, carpet, carpet mats, weather stripping, window fuzzies, extra carpet and vinyl for kick panels, side panels, windlass, decal, POR paint, package tray detail, headliner detail, refinish partial door panels-materials. $2500. Installation 5 star rating in my book
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Leather
Amount: $2,500.00
Posted by: Mattryan in Cary, NC.Posted: August 8th, 2016 09:08AM
Shop: Jb upholstery
All leather in my car was replaced including the steering wheel
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Seat repair
Amount: $100.00
Posted by: Robert86 in Placerville, CA.Posted: April 25th, 2016 12:04PM
Shop: Bragg\'s upholstery
Drivers seat repair, Beautiful job and cost was WAY less than junk yard or dealership prices!
Dealer quoted 600.00 and junk yard wanted 350.00
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
seat repair
Amount: $250.00
Posted by: jerry johnston in Christiansburg, VA.Posted: February 18th, 2015 02:02PM
Shop: wolfmans auto upholstery NRV
Excellent craftsmanship fair price on the leather seat repair for the Mercedes
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
car headliner
Amount: $175.00
Posted by: Dave Reynolds in Christiansburg, VA.Posted: September 10th, 2014 02:09AM
Shop: ed Wolford upholstery
Great job I got from Ed . The dealer wanted 800+ for the job Ed did it for 175 and it was a perfect job
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With Upholstery for Cars
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Upholstery Material: Car Make: 
Car Model: Car Year: 
Shop:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.jimsupholstery.com/?page=services
  2.  kathysupholstery.com/upholstery-services
  3.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxC83SHwCoI
  4.  www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-reupholster-car-seats#b
  5.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmT72NDtTs
  6.  www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/DIY/Fixing_Leather_or_Vinyl_Car_Sea...
  7.  www.wrightsautoupholstery.com/portfolio/
More Cars Topics
Check Out All Costs for Cars How Much Does a Limousine Rental Cost? How Much Does Valet Parking Service Cost? How Much Do Brakes Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost