Seats

[SteveA]

Job I started today - 2 arm chairs.  Change the fabric from the beige to the green w/french natural nails all the way around.  When I took the old fabric off I could see the pull was folded under where it was stapled on the top of each rail.  I didn't try to copy that - I just pulled the fabric down - stapled it and cut away the extra.  I had to deal with loose threads so I put some liquid called fray control.  The nail heads are more difficult to cover the frayed edge than double welt but the fray control should work out ok.  Next time I need more courage to do it the other way. 


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I'm hoping to find the old nail holes with the new decorative nails and that will make this job a lot easier.

SA

[MinUph]

Yes folding the fabric is best and not all that hard. Pin tack it wit staples as you go and pull them when nailing. Finding the old holes will be a challenge :)

[gene]

When you fold it under you don't need gimp or tape to cover the raw edge before you put on the decorative nails. Liquid frey check was a good idea.

I too use the temp staples to hold the fabric.

gene

[kodydog]

I like the look of gimp under brass tacks. Talking the customer into the extra expense is another story.

Folding the fabric under takes just about the same amount of time.

Trying to find those old nail holes will be near imposable. And likely those old holes are walered out any way, meaning they will no longer hold the brass tack tightly. I generally try to miss the old hole and hit solid wood.

On those tacks that just have to hit a certain place, but the wood will not hold, I add a little wood glue to the shank. When it dry's it holds tight. 

[SteveA]

The fray check did OK but if I had to do it again I would fold the fabric under.  I just thought trying to keep the fold even and adjust the pull so the waterfall edge doesn't look puckered was going to give me fits.  Turns out the fray gave me more fits.  After  the work it occurred to me that I could have left a 3/16 tab along the edge and just folded it over the staples creating my own gimp.  The reverse fabric color was a little darker but it still would have looked better than fray.  I also dented the wood in a few places while taking out the old nails - once I saw what the tool was doing I got real cautious for the rest of the removal..
All toll 4 hours plus per chair and almost half a box of nails - customer didn't ask for a price but I'm thinking $ 200.00 / chair.  What do you think about that price ? 

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[MinUph]

Personally I think the price is high. $100.00 each is pushing it. But that depends on you and your customer.

[kodydog]

That's a bit much here in North Florida. But in NY, sound about right. Nice job on those chairs Steve.

[SteveA]

$ 100 per chair even for Florida sounds low.  Here's what I was thinking.  Even though I'm slow at upholstery I didn't charge for the extended time it took me compared to a veteran. 
Customer didn't go through a decorator which would have cost them 350.00 - 400.00 per /chair  when they added on for commission, fabric up charge,  + a piece of the trucking.

  Removing all the nail heads, the old fabric, laying out the new fabric, front to back - side to side - there was a slight grain to follow, cut around four posts and put all the decorative nails back some touch up that I caused and vacuum marks that the customer might think I did - plus pick up and delivery. 200.00 sounded fair to me.
 
The chrysler dealer here gets 209.00 per hour for labor.  A heating / air guy or plumber charges $ 175.00 to ring your bell. Refinishers here are looking for $ 100.00 an hour.
 
At $ 100.00 per chair  less 10.00 per chair for nails - and a veteran upholster needing under two hours labor - there still isn't much left - is there ? 

And if someone gave you 50 of those chairs to do would you drop down to $ 80.00 ?
I think I'll come in more like $ 150.00 per chair but not much left after operating expenses - I don't want to over charge
SA

[kodydog]

I get you don't want to over charge. We all want to charge a fair price.

The cost of living in North Florida is much lower than NY. Mostly due to taxes and labor union wages. Look at how much it costs to fill your car. I filled my tank last week at $2.15/gallon. Heating my house last month cost around $150. NY taxes everything. Tires, food, income, the list goes on. On top of that NYC has their own income tax. Florida does have property and sales tax. But I'm guessing both are lower then NY. Real Estate is very reasonable in North Florida. The other side of the coin is South Florida and its a whole other ball of wax. 

In Florida Mechanics, Plumbers, Electricians and others do not have to join a union to get a job. We are a right to work state. We had the intake manifold replaced on our van at the dealership. They had the van 6 hours and charged $1000. If the parts were $100, that's about $150/hr. for labor. We had a well guy come to the house. His rate was $30 per quarter hour. That seemed high to me but we had him do it, we needed water.

I know its hard to believe but the cost of living is that much lower here then NY. That's why I say your price sounds reasonable for where you are.