Going rate on reupholstering buckets

Discussion in 'Interior City' started by tt455, Jul 12, 2022.

  1. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    So I have good set of bucket seat cores and a rear seat that need recovering for my 69 442 project. The seats will need to be stripped, cleaned, and painted. The rear seat will need new foam which has to be made. This will mostly be labor as I have new covers, front bucket foams, plastic backs, aprons, headrests, and all hardware.
    I'm waiting to hear back from the shop for an estimate, what kind of number do you think I'm looking at, remember I'm in ny.
    Originally I wanted to try to do this myself, but my retirement has to wait and I'm back to work with no time.
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    2500 on the buckets

    Edit- you said you have all the materials for the front buckets. I would get new bottom seat springs too if you haven't.

    With materials I'd say 1500 on the buckets for labor
     
  3. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    If that number kills you, then do them yourself.. That particular seat is one of the easier to recover, as long as you have the correct cover from Legendary Interiors, and the correct foam from American Cushion industries.

    Beware there is often specific foam for some models, this is true for the 69-70 Buick seats, if you use 71 up foam, they don't look right. So be aware of that.

    Watch some you-tube videos on replacing the covers on a GM Stratobucket seat.. then get yourself a hog ring kit with pliers, and a good side cutter, and go to town.

    I have done several sets.

    JW
     
  4. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    I was figuring about 1500 to 2500 for all 3 seats.
    Jim I just don't have time right now, and I'd like this done professionally anyway. Thanks for the input. The seats are from a 69 GS, but I'm second guessing the foams. I have to double check on those.
    I should hear back today on the price.
     
  5. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    The last set I did for a 70 GTO i charged 250 bucks.

    These are incredibly easy to install. Most guys are terrified of upholstery work but there is no need to be. Its very easy and the covers are very forgiving. I've done several sets over the years..
     
  6. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    Agreed . I just did the seats for my Opel GT . Including the seat back on the passenger side and the seat cushion on the drivers side . Total time 5 hours including remove and re-install of the seats in the car . I had hog rings and pliers already
     
  7. 2dtrak

    2dtrak Gold Level Contributor

    Just paid $1100 for front and rear 70 seats. I provided everything including the foam and upholstery kits. All new hardware , sand blasted the cores and painted them. I know it seems high but I didn’t want to mess w them and I have way to many irons in the fire
     

    Attached Files:

    Smartin, Utah455 and tt455 like this.
  8. 2dtrak

    2dtrak Gold Level Contributor

    Legendary quoted me 8-12 weeks on their foams. I ordered the exact foams from henshaw chevelle parts through the manufacturer of foams. Had them in 2 weeks I thought the upholstery shop had a source but I should of ordered them when I ordered the upholstery
     
  9. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    $300 per seat is what I paid in the past
     
  10. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    That seems reasonable, I expect to pay a bit more because I just handed them the seats and will have them strip the old covers off, blast and paint. I bought the hog rings and pliers, watched the video's and was ready to tackle this, but like I said just don't have the time.
     
  11. Utah455

    Utah455 Platinum Level Contributor

    I've never done seats before or anything like this before and did my own. Like others said, watch the video's on Legendry's Websites. I ordered almost everything, all the vinyl seat covers, foam, installation kits with the cotton & burlap, door cards, rear arm rest covers, headliner, sail panels, package tray, plastic seat pieces and it was about $3200 and free shipping. Did not order springs, armrests and hardware.

    Tear down, wire wheel springs, quick coat of paint, fix some springs on the front bottoms and put back together took me about 20 hrs for each front seat (40 total) and about 2o hours to do the back seats. Again, my first time and doing it in stages over the course of 10 days per seat.

    I did have to cut the slots in the top section of the foam piece.
    Driver Seat1.jpg Driver Seat2.jpg Driver Seat3.jpg Driver Seat4.jpg Driver Seat5.jpg Driver Seat6.jpg Driver Seat7.jpg Passenger Seat1.JPG Passenger Seat2.JPG RearSeat1.JPG
     
    Dano, 12lives, tt455 and 2 others like this.
  12. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Think Jim nailed it! I did a frame off restoration on my 68 Corvette myself except paint (took time, commitment, and patience) If time is not on your side because of health reasons or other obligations or not comfortable doing it, I get. The trouble with some vendors there rates are high, the more you do yourself the less the procedure costs. Like Jim said it is not bad if you pick all the right materials and tools.
     
  13. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Runs $500 labor to cover all 4 down here
     
  14. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    Picked up my buckets and rear seat today. I'm very happy with the results.

    689457AD-8E15-4642-9B5A-61DDCC0B2F82.jpeg C21A3DD8-2591-4C07-91B7-CEB1CD401519.jpeg 2F4F5A3C-276D-4417-940D-5C9021380149.jpeg

    D631AA84-0DA0-4B74-A548-A670865CC51B.jpeg 49E1BCD8-0538-4645-B8A1-348ADC3EE834.jpeg 1E598769-B878-49ED-8128-A24151C03194.jpeg
     
  15. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    What was the final bill?
     
  16. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    X2!!
     
  17. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    Jason you where just about spot on. Labor on the front buckets where $1600 but that included drivers bottom spring, the others where fine. The rear labor was $600 and that included them fabricating the foam and they supplied all the burlap, hog rings, and what ever else it needed. So total $2200 cash no tax.
     
  18. Utah455

    Utah455 Platinum Level Contributor

    Was that with you supplying the new vinyl covers and them tearing down olds seats?
     
  19. tt455

    tt455 T Bone

    Yes, exactly. They also stripped and painted the frames.
     
    Utah455 likes this.
  20. Utah455

    Utah455 Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks! Just thinking if it took me 60 hours to do my buckets and rear seat, a couple times lol, then that’s what it cost me. My labor rate is bad :)

    I will say it was a PIA, never did it before, but I had fun watching videos and learning to do it. Sooooo many hog rings were wasted. Lol. But it did take me a few months to complete everything. 2 hrs here, 2 hrs there, etc.
     
    Max Damage likes this.

Share This Page