I haven't had it done, but in general it seems that you can expect to pay about what a new couch would cost. You want to be sure that your couch is well-made and solid, so that it is worth the cost. Of course, it also depends on the fabric and type of work involved - more details like tufting, etc means more expensive.

I know my mom had a couple of wingback chairs that she wanted recovered when they were moving. That was 17 years ago, and it was going to be somewhere between $300-400 per chair before fabric. They were not antiques, tho nicely made, and had no skirts. She decided it was cheaper to get new chairs.

OMG! That's incredible! I was thinking it would be about $400-500 for labor. I was going to shop for fabric at a local outlet. I had no idea it would be so expensive.

I just had mine done.The labor was $700.00 and with fabric it came to $1100. I did not need new cushions and did not make any style changes. I live in the middle of the country and so perhaps labor is cheaper here than it would be on either coast.
My sofa is a Henredon and so it is a really good quality , heavy frame. I priced getting a new Henredon and it would have come to roughhly 2300.
I would think twice about having a mid priced sofa upholstered. You could probably buy a new one for almost the same price.

Chloe: I was thinking about reupholstering our mid-priced sofa and, as it turns out, we bought a new one for the same price--about $1200--so bamagirl, yes, I would definitely not reupholster unless the piece is a very fine one.

I reupholstered my couch about 15 years ago (and I still have it). While I know the basics of sewing, I would not say I am particularly good at it. It was a lot of work, (and I'm in no hurry to reupholster another one!) but not beyond the scope of anyone with a little fabric experience. You do need to have a space to work in, like a spare bedroom or the basement, and a good staple gun. I checked out a library book to learn how. I recycled the cushion zippers, and the welting cord, and used the old upholstery as a pattern for the new. I think I spent about $100-150 on fabric, some extra batting and those long strips with tacks in them to put the back on.

Mildredpots, I'm glad you shared your experience. I have barely any sewing experience, but I'm wanting to reupholster an old rocking love seat that belonged to my Grandmother. It's in good shape, but the fabric is a hideous pattern and very rough feeling. There are no cushions so I think I can manage doing the job.

I'm going to head to the library next week!

I agree w/ the others. If it's not a really good piece of furniture I'd donate it and just buy a new one. I've recovered a chair & made a slip cover for a couch and I still wouldn't do it for a piece for my best room. Not to say I'm not going to try again, I've got 3 old couches begging for me to do something to them! (I really need to learn how to get rid of things! LOL)

I just had my sofa and matching upholstered chair done for $1200 and felt like I got a deal. I supplied all the fabric and braid trim. I only paid $600 for my fainting couch with me supplying the fabric, but it's a very simple job as far as the fabric goes, with no sewing -- though it did have a few diamond tufts in the small oval on the back. I'm in WA and I'd imagine prices vary by where you live.