How long would this take you experienced folks

[cthomps]

Me again.  I called a guy about renting a space to work, and ended up looking at 16 restaurant booths to upholster! (I really don't know how this happens.)  :o  There are 8 seats, 7 backs, and one curved seat.  He wants the button tufted seats backs to be changed to match the solid ones.



tufted booth to...



smooth back...

I can do the math for the bid, but since I have not done this before, I do not know how long it "should" take me. So if someone with experience, could let me know how long it would take you, I would appreciate it.  I am still learning here, and I don't want to charge my customer for my education.  Also, there are two others bidding for this job.

I hope I did the photos correctly.  Thank you.  Carol

[kodydog]

Hi cthomps. My first advice is don't let the restaurant owner influence your estimate by telling you he is getting other bids. They all say this. And do you really want to be the lowest bidder in town?

Are you replacing the foam or just filling the tuft holes with padding. If its the latter I would also add a layer of Dacron.

I would charge one hour for each seat and one hour for each back. No it won't take you this long to do each piece but will help pay for all the extra charges we conveniently forget to add. If you charge $40 an hour it is still a good deal for the restaurant owner.

Also add a charge for each trip because just as soon as you give them the estimate they will ask you if you can do it over a 4 week time schedule.

Also getting paid upon delivery is a good idea. I did 3 booths last month for a small chain here in North Florida. When I finished I got paid. Drove buy today and they are gone. Closed lock, stock and barrel.

Good luck. Hope you get the job.

[cthomps]

Thanks.  Since I do all kinds of sewing, I usually always have work.  Design, production, product development, alterations, etc.  I just really like doing upholstery. Party dresses get pretty boring! I am usually not the lowest bid. I don't want to set that standard and I usually get the work.  I just didn't know how long it would take a more experienced person.  I'm just trying to be fair while I gain experience.  I'm sure I will have more questions if I get the bid.

Would you fill the tuft holes, or replace the foam?  The restaurant was built in the early 90's  and I think the tufted booths are original.  I guess I could bid it both ways and let the owner decide.  Your thoughts?

Thanks for the quick response.  Carol  ps.  I LOL when you suggested it would take me less than an hour.  I appreciate your confidence!

[kodydog]

Would you fill the tuft holes, or replace the foam?  The restaurant was built in the early 90's  and I think the tufted booths are original.  I guess I could bid it both ways and let the owner decide.  Your thoughts?

Totally up to the owner. My guess is they will want to save money. Your idea is a good one.

[sofadoc]

Personally, I'd rather replace the foam than spend a lot of time filling in the holes.

Also, I try to arrange doing the backs onsite after hours. I'd rather stay up late (or come in really early) than haul them back and forth to the shop 1 or 2 at a time.

I pre-sew all the fitted seat covers at the shop,  pick up the seats at closing (as many as I can do before they get busy the next day) and bring them back the next morning.

Sure, it's a pain working the "graveyard shift" for 4 or 5 nights, but I'd rather do that than make umpteen trips during the day (especially when someone is always sitting in the very booth that you want to pick up.

[cthomps]

Oh I forgot to mention that the restaurant has been vacant for a year.  It will be a new place opening in July. Repaired upholstery is part of the rental agreement.  It is only about a mile from my studio.  Hopefully I can tear down on site, sew at home and replace on site.  I also think it would be better to replace the foam, but I am guessing he will go the cheap route.  Thanks for the input. 

[Peppy]

I would cut new foam. I'd tell the customer that the labour to fill the holes would be close to a new sheet of foam, but he be throwing good money after bad using the old stuff.

[kodydog]

I'm looking at the photos and thinking this is not a high class joint where the owner has bottomless pockets.

If this were somebody's home I would defiantly say, yes replace the foam. But we all have dealt with restaurant owners before and know they usually deal with the bottom line.

I'm thinking stuffing the holes with cotton and covering the foam with a layer of Dacron will be more cost effective. Opposed to replacing with a $30 sheet of foam. And in my opinion will take more labor as well.

I'm open to comments.

[cthomps]

I'm thinking stuffing the holes with cotton and covering the foam with a layer of Dacron will be more cost effective. Opposed to replacing with a $30 sheet of foam. And in my opinion will take more labor as well.

I have known the owner for a very long time, and yes he is very "thrifty" :D.  I think I will bid it both ways.  Thanks everyone.  I will let you know how it goes.

[bobbin]

Interesting discussion.  Personally, I prefer the tufted backs, but that doesn't matter!

I like the way you guys think... Now for a few questions:
1.)  When you tuft a booth seat is the foam normally drilled out to provide a "hole" that makes the tufting easier? how big is the hole that's created and how do you do it?
2.)  After you steam out the original foam how do you go about filling in the hole?  Is there a thing-y attachment that allows you to make "plugs" out of foam that you could jam into the hole before slapping a layer of batting over it?
3.)  If it's "down and dirty" do you just use whatever suitable "filler" you have and then pad it out and "move on" with the re-cover?

[sofadoc]

Here's a tool for drilling out holes in the foam:
http://doublerocktools.com/index.html

And you can use it to make "plugs" if you want to (Donut holes for upholsterers).

On previously tufted wing chairs (when I'm eliminating the tufting), I steam the holes out, stuff them with cotton or foam plugs, and top it off with a layer 1/2" foam and a layer of polyester.

When doing a tufted job, I use a razor blade to cut slits in the foam from hole-to-hole. Then I can tuck the material into the slits.

[bobbin]

So Sofa., you don't drill out "plugs" for the tufting? instead, you slice through the foam so there is no overall loss of foam?  Very smart! it also allows the next sorry fool to simply steam the foam out, bat it out, and get about "biness". 

As we say in New England, "Wicked smaHt". 

[kodydog]

Bobbin, I think you misunderstood (or maybe I did). He (we) do drill a doughnut hole (plug). Then cut a slit from one hole to the other diagonally to make the diamond pattern. On the bottom and top holes cut a vertical slit. Straight up and down to the edge of the foam. This makes a very neat tuft.

Sofas tool is very cool. I use my smallest button cutter and by hand work it back and forth to cut the hole. But then Sofa is the King Of Unique Tools.  :)

I love your New England accent.  :D

[sofadoc]

Bobbin, I think you misunderstood (or maybe I did).

No, you didn't misunderstand Kody. That's what I was talking about. Thanks for phrasing it better.

Before I had that hole cutting tool, I used to duct-tape a #22 button cutter to the chuck of a cordless drill, and spray the cutter and the foam with silicone. It really works just about as well.

I love your New England accent.  :D

How do ya like my drawl, yawl?

[cthomps]

Well I learned a lot from all of you, but I didn't get the bid.  No worries, I have plenty of work.  Thank you all for your input!

Carol