Leather Upholstery and Surface Restoration Guide

Scope of Works

• Assessment & colour‑match – inspect rips, scratches, fading and collapsed foam; mix pigments to sample.

• Deep clean & degrease to ensure fillings and dyes bond to the leather surface.

• Structural fixes – insert backing cloths, re‑pad cushions, tighten loose frames if needed.

• Fill, grain‑stamp & sand tears, holes or worn bolsters; recreate texture.

• Re‑dye / recolour panels or whole seats with airbrush or hand‑pad; blend into surrounding areas.

• Top‑coat, seal & buff for an even sheen and added UV/abrasion protection.

• Tidy site & issue care sheet; remove old padding, off‑cuts or failed DIY repair films.
  

Typical Cost (inc. VAT)

Time on Site

Typical 1 – 3 hours for a single tear or colour‑blend on one seat; half‑day for multiple panels or deep colour change; full day if both sofa and chair need foam rebuilds or pickup/return.

Questions to Ask Your Trade

1. Which colour‑matching system will you use to replicate my leather shade?

2. Is your quote fixed‑price or hourly once on site?

3. How long before I can sit on the furniture after top‑coat cures?

4. What warranty covers peeling, cracking or colour fade?

5. Will you re‑seal adjacent seams to stop future splitting—and is it included?

6. Do you hold a waste‑carrier licence for any removed padding or covers?

7. Can you show before‑and‑after photos of similar full‑grain sofa restorations?
   

How to Avoid Surprises

• Clear a 2 × 2 m workspace and protect nearby carpets.

• Provide ventilation—open windows or run an extractor for solvent fumes.

• Reserve parking close to the door for compressors and heat‑gun kit.

• Send daylight photos upfront so the technician brings the right pigments.

• Keep pets & children away until sealants cure (2–4 hours).

• Agree on sheen level (matt, satin or gloss) before work begins.

All figures are rounded 2025 GBP values and already include 20 % VAT.