Boat Upholstery Cost: What Drives the Price

1. Number and size of pieces

A pair of helm seats is a very different job from a full cockpit of bolsters, sun pads and backrests. Larger pieces use more material and take longer to pattern and sew.

2. Shape and detail

Flat rectangles are quicker than seats with multiple panels, contours, piping, two-tone designs or decorative stitching. Pillow-top and pleated looks take the most time.

3. Foam and bases

If the foam is waterlogged or the plywood base is rotting, they should be replaced along with the vinyl. That adds material and labor, but skipping it means the new upholstery fails early.

4. Materials

Marine vinyl comes in a range of grades. Higher grades hold up better to UV and wear. Specialty finishes and textures cost more.

5. Access and removal

Seats and cushions that unbolt easily are faster to work on than pieces that require taking apart consoles or hardware.

Ways to save

• Repair instead of replace when only one panel or seam is damaged.
• Do it off-season. Fall and winter scheduling is easier than the spring rush.
• Bundle work. Doing seats and cushions together often costs less than separate jobs.
• Keep your frames. Reupholstering original seats usually costs less than new factory seats.