Thad;
If I were you I would check around a number of
different upholstery shops in your area and see about an estimate. If your
original seats are intact enough for an upholsterer to make a pattern it will
cost you a lot less in labour. In my opinion $900 a seat is too much money from
a mail order outfit considering that all he is doing is sewing the covers
together. Since he is not supplying the materials, padding, or installing the
covers on the seat frames you are only getting half the job done for that amount
of money.
One thing to remember is that your seats are not
totally covered with leather, only the faces. The outside back, and possibly the
front skirt, are covered in vinyl. Leather is normally sold by the hide and the
average hide makes up over twenty square yards in area. It is likely that one
hide will be more then enough for both seats, the armrests, and even to replace
the vinyl. In case you are wondering the average hide retails for
around $4-$500 depending on how many square feet it
encompasses.
I figure that for both seats you would also need
about $150 or more of padding material as well.
When you go for estimates ask them how much the
job would cost if they supply the leather or if you supply the leather, get
them to include the padding in both. The labour should not be any more
then $600 a seat, and you already know what a hide should cost. One way to
shorten your search is to get in touch with your local old car guys and find out
whom they would recommend. More often then not they will recommend the
best upholterer with the most reasonable price.
Best Regards
Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side Taillight Bezel and other trim
parts.
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