How much will it cost?

It is very difficult to offer an exact estimate. The cost will depend upon, to name only a few variables: the type of furniture you would like restored; the extent and nature of the damage; the materials that will be required to restore it and the amount of time it will take to complete the task.

Professional restorers can produce an accurate estimate on request. It is worth noting that it is common for restorers to charge you for the completion of an estimate. Whilst this might seem unreasonable, bear in mind that you are paying for a professional opinion, which will probably consist of advice about how to fix the problem yourself, or a suggested course of action and an estimate of how much this would cost. When you first contact a restorer, ask if they apply such charges for estimates.

What specifically do professional restorers do? Is there any way I could save myself some money by doing it myself?

Professional furniture restorers are trained to offer advice about whether or not furniture can be effectively restored, and, if so, what the best means of achieving this is. Some of the services restorers offer are:

Upholstery work

This can include repairs to the frame, replacement of broken springs, re-stuffing and recovering chairs. Chairs and arm-chairs can often be made functional, even if they are in quite poor condition. If repairs to the frame are necessary, this is usually done prior to work on the upholstery.

Re-upholstering is a more difficult process than it might seem. Professionals are not only concerned with restoring the piece to working order, but also with preserving the character and style of the furniture. Restorers will usually try to preserve the stuffing by cleaning and reusing it if it is the original. Otherwise, they will try to find a close match. They will also attempt to preserve the original fabric, and find a close match if the original cannot be repaired. As this is such a skilled process, it is perhaps unrealistic to consider undertaking major repairs yourself.

Whilst it might be possible to remove small stains yourself using fabric stain removal chemicals that can be purchased in DIY stores and supermarkets, you ought to think carefully about attempting this on a valuable piece of furniture, as you might make the problem worse and make the task even more difficult for a professional later on. See our Upholsterer guide for more information.

Cleaning delicate antiques

If a surface is damaged or unfinished, it is often best to have it professionally cleaned to ensure that the correct cleaning substances and the correct tools are used, minimising the chance of damage occurring during the cleaning process. However, whilst it might be better to entrust particularly valuable or delicate antiques to a professional, it is possible to complete the routine cleaning of many pieces yourself.

You can carefully dust your own furniture by following the tips given above. A lacklustre appearance is often attributable to a waxy build-up which accumulates as result of cleaning products leaving a residue over time. It is possible to remove this yourself using a cleaner which dissolves wax and polish. Such cleaners can be easily purchased in DIY stores. Use a soft cloth to apply the cleaner. Wire wool can be used to remove residue which is more difficult to shift.

Structural repairs

Restorers can also repair loose joints and replace parts of furniture which have been displaced or are damaged. Even if you are skilled at DIY and would not hesitate to repair less valuable furniture yourself, it is worth hiring a professional for structural repairs on antique furniture. Professionals have the knowledge and experience to restore furniture to working order whilst still preserving the style of the piece.