Replacing Interior Fabrics - Feedback

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oneillch

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We have a 1994 Silverton convertible and the upholstery was very dated. I recently recovered all the upholstered trim that framed out the salon windows, island berth and dinette (not the dinette seats) and have been told by my "boat" neighbors that they thought it was done by a professional.

I am considering taking this on as side work, however; I would appreciate some feedback. Is this something that you would consider doing on your boat and if so, what would you consider paying for the labor to do so (cost of material not included).

Thanks for your response!

Lady C
 
I don't what goes into the upholstery process except my checkbook. IMO they are all too expensive, but it is a supply and demand business.

Most jobs I have had done were priced by the job, in writing, with a specified finish date. Money was paid upon completion of the job.

I too have considered doing what you are considering moreso for canvas. More for therapy than anything else. In your case, I would ask around for friends who would like to be guinea pigs donor boats and charge for material only (if that) until you got proficient. Who knows, it may be like owning an early Picasso!
 
my '94 34 C needs to be done, but I have no idea what the job is worth. what do you think? From what I see, the labor involved is probably more about removing and re-installing the fabric covered parts as opposed to the actual recover. Is that correct?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

my '94 34 C needs to be done, but I have no idea what the job is worth. what do you think? From what I see, the labor involved is probably more about removing and re-installing the fabric covered parts as opposed to the actual recover. Is that correct?

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You are correct. And you are in a better position (USN) than most of us. There's still a lot of stitching that goes on in a ship...It may be contracted out or not, but it still has to happen. The ships Bos'n or Pork Chop would be able to steer you in the right direction.
 
I've refurbished two small cabin cruiser within the last eight years. On the 20' Sunrunner, I could reuse all the backboards and most of the foam. On the 24' Classic I did, all the wood, the screws, the brackets, the hardware, and the foam had to be replaced. I loved doing it, but it involved carpentry, sewing, stapling, and a great deal of shopping for materials. You need the right tools (a Ziptool was a great help and an old electric carving knife I had bought at a yard sale was great on the foam), skill, and patience. You also have to sometimes be a detective, trying to figure out how each of the seats and other panels are attached. If you've got them, them go and do it. Good luck. Hy
 
Well, having been through this process I have a couple of thoughts. We re-upholstered everything but the ceilings in the cabins. We had "materials included" bids ranging from as high as $13,000 down to $2,500. It was crazy.

We ended up buying some Sunbrella materials we liked ourselves and then hired an inland furniture upholstery shop. My guess was the rate hit about $30 per hour for their work. Although we had to disassemble everything and take it inland, the savings was great. I think the entire project was around $2,500 to $3,000 plus materials when complete. The only work I had to do myself was the base of the stationary portion of the salon sofa.

I wouldn't do any work for free, but I would use the early work to test my prices. Just be fair and realistic. For a lot of guys paying for this work; the money is important, but often isn't the biggest issue. They want you to show up on time, do a great job and finish as scheduled. Nothing frustrated me more over the past couple of years than being stuck at the dock because someone I hired hadn't finished and I had scheduled a trip.

As far as the canvas goes, I wouldn't let anyone but an experienced canvas shop with local references and work examples I can go see touch my canvas.
 
my '94 34 C needs to be done, but I have no idea what the job is worth. what do you think? From what I see, the labor involved is probably more about removing and re-installing the fabric covered parts as opposed to the actual -recover. Is that correct?
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Gregory S,

You are correct. This entire project was "no sew." Basically it required removing the panels and wrapping them with fabric, almost like a gift package. On the panel sides that faced the window, I made sure that all raw edges were underturned and that the staples were aligned with the panel edges and evenly spaced.

I bought new fasteners where needed and used commercial grade velcro to attach the rest of the panels in place. The fabric on the trim panels (strips below the windows)were pleated and that was so the fastening screws could be hidden. I matched it on the first section, but didn't like the way the fabric layed so I just covered all the trim panels like every other panel and attached them with velcro.

Not a tough job, but you do need a large surface to layout the fabric and panels. I used my dining room table, so "family" dinners had to wait until I was finished.

Lady C
 
thanks, have thought about doing this myself but just paid my engine re=build bill!
 
thanks, have thought about doing this myself but just paid my engine re=build bill!
 
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