pricing in and around Boston

[chrisberry12]

Hi All, I have been upholstering for over 25 years. I am moving to the Boston area. Is there anyone out there that can tell me the going rate for labor on a sofa. Say with three loose seat and back cushions, two arm pillows and skirt. I know it takes 22 yards with small or no repeat. Labor where I currently live is 750 plus fabric. would much appreciate some estimates.

[sofadoc]

Welcome Chris.
I can't think of any furniture upholsterers currently active on the forum who live/work in the Boston area.
Maybe someone will PM you. Publicly discussing the going rate in different regions is always a dicey proposition. Some include supplies in their labor price, others don't. It can be like comparing apples to oranges.

I hope that you'll feel free to share some of your background with us. Always good to meet another couch guy.
IMO, furniture upholsterers (with the possible exception of Gene) are easily the smartest, wittiest, and best looking of all the stitchers on this forum. ;)

P.S. 25 years, is that all? Man, you're still just a pup! ;D

[gene]

Wow! Sofadoc (finally) called me a furniture upholsterer!!! What a wonderful compliment. It's time to raise my labor rates.

I've met many folks who have moved to the midwest from the east coast. P&G executives make up many of them. They all talk about how the east coast is so much more expensive. From what I've heard about other costs, I would certainly raise my rates if I moved to Boston. The only specific example I can remember is someone telling me my labor rates were 1/2 of what is being charged in NYC.

Best of luck on your move.

Gene

[kodydog]

I think Rich lives in the DC area. But like sofa said you'll mostly have to figure this out your self. You'll have to figure what your cost of living and over head are going to be. Like Gene said it could easily be double.

[chrisberry12]

Hey guys, Thank you so much for your time and comments. I Look look forward to more activity here in the future. Do all of you ever meet up and compare notes

[mike802]

Hi Chris I am in Vermont and get a minimum of 950.00 labor for a three cushion sofa.  Skirts, buttons, matching and complicated styles can easily raise that into the 1200.00 range.  I have a lot of second home owners from the Boston and NY. NY area and they dont act surprised by my prices, for whatever it worth.

[chrisberry12]

Thank you Mike, I was thinking around the 1200 range minimum.