Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can I visit you?
Yes, definitely! We have a spacious Showroom where you can view over 1,000 Upholstery Fabrics and try out all our different foam grades if you wish. Please see our ‘Visiting Us’ page for more details.
Q Is it less expensive to have my furniture re-upholstered than just buy new?
That depends! If your furniture can be replaced very cheaply then it’s likely that re-upholstering it will cost more.
However, if your furniture is of a good quality and has many years use left in it, then customers often feel it is worthwhile having it professionally re-upholstered, rather than sending it to landfill!
Q Do you cut foam on site?
If you would rather pay more and have foam cut-to-size for you, then that’s no problem. Please note that any foam cut-to-size that you require other than small quantities of simple squares/rectangles will normally be cut off-site, so will be ready for collection within 2-3 working days.
Q Can you refill cushions from my chair and sofa?
Yes, we certainly can! We can professionally refill your cushions and we also have considerable experience in converting feather or fibre filled cushions to foam.
Q Can you re-upholster Period furniture?
This all depends on the particular furniture you have. If the item is small enough for you to bring in then we can advise you. Or alternatively if you have an image or two of the piece, then this will usually enable us to discuss your options.
Q Do you carry out ‘Traditional’ upholstery as well as ‘Modern’?
‘Traditional’ upholstery is a separate speciality that uses traditional materials like horsehair and hand stitching etc. We don’t work in that way, but instead we use modern materials. Many customers are very happy to have ‘Modern’ fillings etc used even on their period furniture, as the fillings are unseen.
Q I’ve got a study chair in real leather, would you be able to re-upholster it again in real leather with the studding and buttoned back?
Certainly. As well as 1,000+ fabrics on display in our Showroom, we also have real leather hides available in a variety of colours.
Q Do you do upholstery work for commercial premises, or only domestic?
Yes, we have a lot of experience working on furniture in pubs, clubs, offices, schools, holiday parks, reception areas etc. Just contact us or pop into our Showroom and we’ll be pleased to discuss your requirements.
Q The cushions on my sofa seem to be ‘fixed’. Can they still be refilled?
Yes, our Mobile Furniture Technicians can do this work on your furniture, in your own home.
Q I have my own business, would it be possible to open a trade account with you?
Absolutely! Just drop in or contact us for details.
Q What is the process of re-upholstery, and can you tell me what is included in the price?
We will explain your options and invite you to choose a fabric. We’ll then give you a fixed Quotation, NOT an ‘Estimate’. Unlike some upholsterers who upholster over the top of your original fabric, we instead strip off all your old fabric, back to the bare frame.
We then fix any broken springs, replace any worn webbing and fix any problems with the wooden frame. ALL THIS IS INCLUDED IN OUR QUOTATION, so you will not be in a position of having to pay extra for anything that needs replacing, as often happens with vague ‘Estimates’.
We then professionally upholster your cherished furniture using high quality wadding and lining and in your chosen fabric. When complete we always look forward to the ‘Wow!’ reaction when you first see the finished result!
Q We have a set of Ercol chairs and would like new complete cushions for them, is this possible?
Yes, we specialise in making complete new cushions for Ercol furniture, or just new covers only, if you were happy with the comfort of the existing cushions.
Please click here to go to our dedicated Ercol cushion site.
Q What are your opening hours?
We’re open 9.00am - 1.00pm and 1.30pm to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Q I think a spring may have broken on my furniture, can you help?
Yes, our Mobile Furniture Technicians can do this work in your own home.
Q Can I place an order for foam over the telephone?
Yes you can. Once we know what you’re intending to use the foam for we can give you various options and prices over the phone.
Q Do you provide a delivery service?
Yes, depending on what it is that needs delivering, and where you are located we will either deliver ourselves or use one of the 3 carriers who collect from us every afternoon.
Q Do you make garden cushions and do they come in water repellent fabrics?
Yes, we make brand new bespoke garden furniture cushions to any size and shape. Alternatively, we can often recover your existing cushions if you have them. We have a specialist division within our business, called The Outdoor Cushion Co. Click here to go to the dedicated site, or pop into our Showroom to discuss and see our different Outdoor fillings and hundreds of Outdoor fabrics.
Q Do your fabrics and foam comply with fire regulations?
Yes, all our foam and upholstery fabrics comply with the relevant fire retardancy regulations.
Q If we place an order for my three-piece suite to be re-upholstered, do you have to remove it all from my home address at the same time?
No, we can happily discuss with you whatever arrangements will cause you the least inconvenience. This includes taking only some of your pieces away initially and then taking the remainder later, once we have delivered your completed items. We can even lend you pieces of furniture for you to use while we complete the your work.
Q How long does a re-upholstery job take?
This all depends on what it is we are doing for you. We work very closely with you to plan a timescale that fits in with both you and our work schedule.
Q My dining chairs are looking quite tired, can you help?
Yes, we can re-upholster all types of dining chairs in a massive choice of fabrics. We can even loan you some dining chairs while we are working on yours!
Q My mum has back trouble and is looking for more support in her chair, can you help?
Depending on her type of chair we are often able to come up with ways of improving the support.
Q If I bought some fabric from elsewhere, would Bristol Upholstery still re-upholster my chairs?
We have no objection to using your own fabric, however we would always suggest you let us see a sample and check its suitability before you purchase it. You should also confirm that it meets the relevant Fire Retardancy Regulations.
Q What do I need to do if I want new foam in my cushions?
If you are able to call in to our Showroom then ideally please bring in one complete cushion with its inner in its cover, and the covers only, of any other identical cushions from the same suite.
We can gladly explain the different options open to you and you can try out all our different foam grades for comfort. If you’re not able to visit, then that’s no problem, please see below.
Q If I want a bespoke piece of foam cut, what do I do?
If the item is straight sided, then simply giving us the sizes is fine. If it is curved then we would normally need a template, this can be made in paper, wood, polythene etc.
Q Can I get fabric samples?
Yes, we can obtain samples of all our 1,000 + fabrics direct from the suppliers for you.
Q How do I get a quote for re-upholstery?
If you are able to visit our Showroom, then please bring some images of your furniture so we can explain options and costs and you can browse over 1,000 Upholstery fabrics. If you are unable to visit, then please initially email us with some images of your furniture, then we will gladly come back to you and explain options and costs.
Q What foam is available same day?
We have a wide selection of trade foam sheets always in stock, in various thicknesses, for you to buy and take away at TRADE PRICES! They are in easy-to-use sizes of: 203cm x 122cm (80” x 48”) or 101cm x 122cm (40” x 48”) and can be easily cut yourself at home with a carving knife. We also have off-cuts in various sizes often available.
Q Can I choose a mix of fabrics to have my furniture re-upholstered or does it have to be the same one.
Yes, if you wanted us to use two or three different then that’s not normally a problem.
Q Can you collect and re-deliver my furniture?
Yes, depending on where you live. If you’re based a long way from us then we can usually still work with you but it might mean you arranging for your furniture to be delivered to us.
Q I live nowhere near Bristol, can I still have my cushions re-filled?
Yes, if you’re not local to us we can collect from you. If you contact us initially, we can explain the process to you, send you our special packaging and then arrange for our courier to collect from you. Please click here to go to our dedicated Cushion Refilling site.
Q Can I keep my old cushion fillings?
Once we have completed our work for you then we would happily be able to return your old cushions to you.
Q Do you make or re-upholster head boards?
Yes to both! We can re-upholster an existing headboard or make a brand new one, and they can be upholstered in a huge choice of fabrics.
We hope the above Frequently Asked questions have answered many of your queries. If not, please give us a call on 0117 937 0172 , call in to our Showroom, or use our 'Contact Us' page and we will be delighted to help.