The kids kick off their shoes; the dog races through the house; someone sets a hot cup on the coffee table. Sooner or later, every piece of furniture picks up a few bumps and marks — or even more serious damage. Repairing furniture to a high standard is a skilled task usually best left to professionals. ImproveNet lets you get free quotes from experts in your area, but before getting started, spend time learning the potential costs involved. Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by ImproveNet members. We are still gathering data for this location.Try changing location below or Most homeowners spent between:$125To$179 Number of Cost Profiles Most homeowners spent between: We are still gathering data for this location. See specific cost in your area Enter your zip code to get started Types Of Furniture & Their Repair Prices Furniture Repair Vs. Reupholstery Furniture Repair Vs. Refinishing Furniture Repair Vs. Replacement
DIY Or Hire A Pro? The cost of repairing a piece of furniture depends on a wide range of factors, including the type of furniture, the nature and severity of the damage, your geographical location and whether or not you employ a contractor. Homeowners usually pay anywhere from $107 to $252, with an average of $166, which covers the cost of labor and materials when hiring a professional. Small repairs cost as little as $50, while larger repairs cost $400 or more. For minor repairs, it may be possible to complete the repair yourself, in which case the only costs are tools, materials and time. However, it's usually better to leave major repairs to professionals to ensure a good job, especially if the furniture is an antique. It may be more cost effective to purchase a new item, unless the damaged furniture is rare, or a unique handmade piece you can't replace easily. The more frequently you use a piece of furniture, the more likely it is to require repair. For example, a dining table you use every day has more chances to pick up scratches and dents than the wardrobe in your guest bedroom.
Dining Tables: Most families use the dining table regularly at meal times, and the table may also serve as a useful work surface for the kids doing their homework or for unloading groceries. Surface scratches and dents are quite common, but are relatively easy to fix with a scratch repair kit for $5 to $20. A broken table leg requires carpentry skills and a piece of matching lumber. Expect to pay a professional $25 to $30 per hour for the repair. Cabinets: Kitchen cabinets and freestanding units are also susceptible to surface scratches through regular use, and the repair kits range from $5 to $20. Replacing the glides for a broken drawer costs around $20 and is a simple repair that most people can do themselves. Employing someone to replace a single cabinet door ranges from $268 to $390, depending on the type of material and the fixtures. Sofas & Upholstered Furniture: Tears in the fabric are a common fault with upholstered furniture. Professional labor costs for reupholstering ranges from $40 to $55 per yard of material.
Fabric ranges from $25 to $70 per yard. In some cases, cleaning the upholstery may restore its original look. Reupholstering furniture usually requires the services of a professional, and is one of the most expensive types of repair. It involves a lot of time and materials, and usually involves removing the furniture to an offsite location to complete the work. Costs depend on the size of the furniture and the type of fabric, but usually range from $150 to $1,500, with an average of $660. Refinishing a piece of furniture usually involves removing the existing finish and then applying new varnish or paint. Costs vary significantly, based on the size of the furniture, and whether you are removing the existing finish or just touching up a few marks in the paint. For example, the cost to refinish a large dining table is $1,200 to $3,200, while the cost to refinish a small end table is $250 to $350. Repairing anything other than minor repairs is often a costly endeavor, and it's worth considering whether it's better to replace the furniture rather than repairing it.
Reupholstering a sofa costs as much as $1,500, but you might be able to purchase a brand new sofa for less than $1,000, and use the money you saved to purchase fabric protection. In many cases, it's only cost effective to repair furniture if it's a built-in unit, such as a kitchen cabinet, or it's a very expensive, rare or antique piece. Tackling furniture repair as a DIY project has the potential to significantly reduce the total cost, as the only expense is purchasing the necessary tools and materials, and then the cost of your own time. However, while it may be possible to repair a minor scratch so that it's almost invisible, major repair work requires considerable woodworking skills and specialist tools. Getting a quality finish that matches the rest of the piece may be difficult without the proper training, and there is also the risk of injury while using power tools or chemicals. For many people, hiring a professional contractor is a better option. Such experts have all of the necessary tools and skills to complete the job quickly, to a very high standard.
Professionals may also have a workshop, making it possible to repair your furniture offsite, thereby minimizing the amount of disruption to your home life. Wood is a common material used for home improvements and home furnishings, and some of the most common household repairs involve removing marks, stains and scratches from the finish on these wooden items. Some repairs are easy DIY projects, if you have the correct tools and materials; however, if you’re concerned you may cause additional damage to the furniture, consult with a professional first. Water Marks: White rings on a table surface, left by wet glasses, are easy to remove by rubbing with a soft cloth and a very small amount of denatured alcohol. Minor Chips: Some wooden furniture has a glossy protective finish, and this finish may chip if you drop something on it. If the wood underneath isn't damaged, it's possible to fill the chip with some clear nail polish or specialist surface repairer. When the polish is dry, sand it with very fine sandpaper, and then buff with auto polish and a soft, clean rag.
Gouges: If something takes a gouge out of your wooden furniture, sand the rough edges and then fill the gouge with a wax stick of the correct color. Level the top of the wax with a plastic scraper, and remove excess wax on the surface of the furniture. Finally, apply some paste wax to the repair and surrounding area. A high quality repair for any type of furniture requires time, skill and specialist tools and materials. In some cases it may be possible to do the work yourself, but to ensure a good job, it's usually better to find a pro. Luckily, we made it easy to find reliable contractors in your area. Last updated on Jan 17, 2017 Top Articles on Repair Furniture Incorporating Mid-Century Modern Décor In Your Home An old, retro style is making a huge comeback. See a few ways you can incorporate mid-century modern décor throughout your home. Vintage Décor Ideas For Every Room Do you love vintage décor but aren’t sure how to incorporate it in your home?