The results from the National Upholstery Association’s 2025 Pricing Survey are in, and they show an overall price increase* across all surveyed services that aligns closely with the approximately 10% increase in U.S. services inflation over the past 26 months. While this suggests that upholsterers are keeping pace with the broader economy, the data also offers insight into the underlying pressures and evolving perceptions that may be shaping how professionals set their rates.

One standout finding: pricing for Client’s Own Material (COM) rose from a median of $15 to $25 per yard, a sharper increase that may reflect a reevaluation of service complexity.

We also noted a drop in participation this year—114 responses compared to 218 in 2022. This shift could reflect a range of factors, from survey fatigue to a reluctance to share pricing information. Still, the responses we received offer valuable insight into where the industry may be heading—and why.

Labor Cost Pressures

One likely factor in these pricing changes is rising labor cost.Inflation-driven living costs and the need to attract or retain skilled help (such as apprentices or assistants) are all likely pushing labor rates upward. Additionally, many upholsterers have used this moment to reassess the true value of their time and skill, adjusting their rates to ensure sustainable profit margins.

It’s also possible that this increase represents a broader market correction, with professionals reevaluating whether previous pricing accurately compensated for the time, craftsmanship, and physical demands of the work.

Shifting Perceptions of Value

We may also be seeing a shift in how both professionals and clients perceive the value of custom upholstery work. As interest in sustainable and personalized home furnishings grows, it’s possible that more upholsterers are aligning their pricing with this heightened demand and perceived value.

Continued Interest Despite Long Waits

Although the surge in home improvement projects that began during the pandemic has cooled, demand for upholstery services remains steady. Anecdotally, we’ve noticed that many professionals now report waitlists of 6–12 months. This suggests that even in the face of long timelines, clients are still choosing to invest in custom reupholstery for its quality, longevity, and ability to preserve existing furniture—rather than turning to less durable, mass-produced alternatives.

The Cost of Running a Business

Increased pricing may also be tied to the rising cost of doing business. Expenses like insurance, rent, utilities, and digital tools have all gone up in recent years. With many upholsterers operating as solo practitioners or small teams, it's reasonable to infer that these rising overhead costs are being reflected in their pricing.

Looking Ahead: Potential Tariff Impacts

It’s also worth noting that the 2025 Pricing Survey was conducted prior to the U.S. administration's announcement of new, broad-sweeping tariffs, which have since taken effect and are impacting a wide range of imported goods—including materials commonly used in upholstery. Many upholsterers have already received notices from suppliers warning of cost increases or pricing changes. If these tariffs remain in effect over the long term, we may see further price adjustments across the industry in the months ahead.

Growing Professional Awareness

The industry’s pricing landscape may also be shifting as a result of greater awareness and community support. Thanks to the National Upholstery Association’s resources and educational initiatives, more professionals are engaging in thoughtful conversations about what it takes to run a sustainable business.

We may be seeing the effects of that work now—upholsterers reconsidering long-term sustainability, addressing underpricing, and adjusting their rates to ensure their businesses can support not just day-to-day operations, but growth, retirement, and reinvestment as well.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Pricing Survey results paint a picture of a profession in transition. While we can’t say with certainty what’s driving every shift, the trends suggest a field that is becoming more self-aware, more strategic, and more confident in the value it delivers.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s survey. Your input helps illuminate the evolving dynamics of our trade and supports our ongoing mission to advocate for the craft of upholstery.

Curious to see the full survey results?

All current and past pricing survey results are available at the link below.

Please note: You must be an active NUA member and logged in to access this page.

Pricing Survey Results

Not a member yet? We’d love to have you!

Join the NUA

*For the purpose of this statistic, we used a “basket of goods” approach, adding up the total median price of all services in the January 2025 survey and comparing them to November 2022 survey prices.

By Nicole Neder

Did you know that NUA offers free monthly webinars to members? Check your email to sign up each month, and enjoy a fresh perspective from knowledgeable industry professionals throughout the country.

If you missed the live webinar, as a member, you have a chance to view dozens of past webinars.

-Go to the National Upholstery Association website, then login.

-Click on the Learning & Events dropdown tab. From there you can locate past webinars.

Each webinar is about an hour long. You can learn so much from fellow upholstery professionals.  Take some time to check it out, if you have not already. There is always something new to learn!

Also, feel free to click the button to suggest future webinar topics.

by Nicole Neder

Do you wish you knew then what you know now? Many people do, in many areas of life. That’s why this is a big topic of discussion when upholsterers get together.  We all know we can learn a lot from each other, if we just had the chance to chat more often. I quizzed some of our NUA Officers and members, and they were kind enough to share some gems of knowledge.

This can be an interactive and ongoing discussion, so please feel free to comment in the section below, to keep the insightfulness flowing!

Image caption: Chairs in storage awaiting upholstery. Source: H. Maraldo

From Keaven Willa Hart, President, located in Portland, ME:

• Just say NO! It’s totally okay to not want to do a certain type of furniture, or a specific project. We may feel pressure to accept when someone asks us for a quote, but we don’t have to say yes to everything. Often it is the things we do that give us referrals, and if we say yes to things we aren’t excited about, we risk both getting more of those projects down the line, and the project taking longer/costing us more because we aren’t looking forward to doing it. I think, especially when we first start out, there is a feeling that we have to say yes to everything, because we are worried about having enough work, but our skills will speak for themselves! There will always be more work, so just make sure it’s the right kind!
• Never accept furniture frames until you are ready to get started on them. Having someone’s chairs lurking in your storage is a problem for several reasons; it takes up valuable space, when so many of us don’t have enough, it makes the client think you are working on it, and their expectations for when it may be finished will be unrealistic, and it’s a liability for the shop owner - if something bad happens to the chairs while they wait for reupholstery, we’re on the hook! Plus, it causes a lot of extra stress each time we see them sitting there still unfinished. I take a deposit to get people in the queue, but never accept a piece until after the materials are in hand, and my plate is cleared enough to get started.

From Harmony Maraldo, Director At Large, located in Pelham, NH:

• As you begin your journey in upholstery, it’s crucial to track every hour you work and every piece of material you use for each project. Doing so helps you understand your overall expenses—including both labor and materials—which is essential for setting prices that ensure profitability.
• Remember, as a new upholsterer, projects might take longer than expected. This isn’t a setback; it’s a natural part of the learning curve. Detailed records of your time and material usage serve not only as a safeguard against losing money but also as a benchmark for measuring your progress over time.
• By tracking these details, you can:
• • Refine Your Pricing Strategy: By tracking the exact time and materials each project requires, you gain a clear understanding of your true costs. Use this data to adjust your rates—ensuring your expenses are covered—while also pricing competitively for your market.
  • Improve Efficiency: Regular tracking highlights which parts of the process are taking longer than anticipated, giving you insight into areas where you might streamline your workflow.
  • Plan for Growth: Accurate records make it easier to estimate future projects and manage resources effectively as your business expands.
• In the beginning, consider using simple tools like spreadsheets, project management software, or time management apps to keep track (I use Clockify - they have a free version that works well for basic timekeeping). Over time, these records will not only help you stay profitable but also provide clear evidence of your progress and improvements in efficiency.

From Jonathan Bennett, former Director at Large and mentor in Mentorship Program, located in Richmond, VA:

• There is more than one way to do most any upholstery task and get to a successful end result.
• Find yourself a really good sewing machine repair man.  Watch what he does to do the repair and get him to explain it so you’ll know the next time it happens.
• Get yourself a good steam iron, not a cheap yard sale model.
• Network, network, network…knowledgeable friends are invaluable to call on for assistance.
• Don’t be afraid to try, we all started somewhere, you CAN do it!
• When you get serious and are ready to start your business, surround yourself with the professionals you need to get things done.  A good attorney, a trustworthy CPA and maybe a bookkeeper if you don’t want to do bookwork yourself.

by Nicole Neder, NUA Volunteer

Did you know that the National Upholstery Association is run entirely by volunteers?

Since the National Upholstery Association was started in 2019, membership has grown to 300+ members. Board members, as well as other volunteers behind the scenes, make all the magic happen. NUA is growing and thriving. Do you want to take part in helping NUA continue to make progress within our industry?

High Priority Volunteer Needs

The Board has placed a high priority on these projects, as they are essential to the long-term success of the organization:

• Webinar Presenter
• Webinar Coordinator
• Industry Partner and Educator liaison
• Social media content creation and curation
• Blog writing and curation
• Membership Spotlights research and writing
• Newsletter curation and compilation
• Committee leadership (all committees)
• Grant writing and identification

If you have a few hours a month, or even just a few hours per quarter, there is a volunteer position for you. Take a look at NUA’s Volunteer Needs Spreadsheet.

Apply Now! Answer a few quick questions about yourself. After submitting your application, you’ll be contacted by our team member to further discuss your volunteer interests and personal goals. Tell us about your interests if you have a talent not mentioned above—we'd love to work with you!

Your time and talent is appreciated!

By Ella Hall, Director at Large and Events Committee Chair

Connecting Upholstery Professionals: The Main Objective
The recent Nashville meetup hosted by the National Upholstery Association (NUA) in partnership with Schumacher had one clear goal: fostering in-person connections among local upholstery professionals. While virtual interactions have their value, there’s something transformative about meeting face-to-face. As Grace, an NUA board member who hosted the event, shared, “In-person meetings bring a different conversation and energy. They break down barriers and often lead to more meaningful communication, even on social platforms post-event.”

A Natural Partnership: How NUA and Schumacher Collaborated
When brainstorming venues for the event, options like antique stores, fabric showrooms, and even bars were considered. Ultimately, the team landed on Schumacher, a renowned fabric company whose involvement felt like a natural partnership. After a cold email from Grace on behalf of the  NUA, Schumacher enthusiastically agreed to collaborate, providing a stunning venue and memorable swag. This partnership also aligned with Schumacher’s commitment to engaging more deeply with the design and upholstery community.

Reaching the Target Audience
The event’s target audience included upholstery workrooms, drapery professionals, and soft furnishings specialists, with students of the trade also invited. Engagement efforts leaned on social media and email outreach. The turnout of 14 attendees proved meaningful, with over 50% of RSVPs showing up to connect.

Event Highlights
The event’s lack of formal programming encouraged organic conversations and networking. Attendees appreciated the relaxed atmosphere, and the enthusiasm in the room was palpable. Schumacher’s store manager welcomed attendees, provided insights into the store’s offerings, and ensured their products were showcased effectively. Swatch books on the tables and swag bags were thoughtful touches. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing gratitude and a desire for more events like this. “Everyone wants to stay connected,” Grace noted. “This was just the first of many to come.”

The Benefits to NUA Members
From swag bags to the invaluable sense of community, the event offered tangible and intangible benefits to NUA members. Attendees left not just with new notebooks and fun yardsticks sponsored by NUA industry partner, Ronco, but also with strengthened connections and new friends. Plans are already underway for continued collaborations with Schumacher this time with interior designers. The success of this type of meetup underscores the importance of casual, approachable gatherings. As NUA reflects on this milestone, the emphasis will remain on fostering genuine connections within the upholstery community.

Host Your Own NUA Event!

Hosting your own NUA event is easier than you think! The NUA team will provide support every step of the way. You’ll be connected with a liaison who will help you plan and talk through the details before your event. Whether you’re considering a small meetup or a larger gathering, we’re here to make it a success. If you’re interested in hosting an event in your city, please reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you!

by Nicole Neder

Here is a link to watch the YouTube recording of the 2024 Annual Meeting in its entirety.

The National Upholstery Association (NUA) held its annual meeting, discussing its growth, accomplishments, and plans for the year, including the launch of regional events, and a mentorship program. The meeting also focused on the organization's financial health, volunteer efforts, and strategic vision for the upcoming year, with a focus on expanding educational opportunities.

Here are the highlights:

• Keaven Willa Hartt, NUA President, highlighted the association's growth, which has reached 300 members since 2019
• There are 2 new part-time contractors - a volunteer administration expert and a PR coordinator are now on board to help move the NUA forward in these areas
• The Board announced plans to open Discord exclusively to members. It will also serve as the new platform where mentorship program participants can connect and match.
• Elections for the Board are forthcoming
• NUA is in good financial health, showing a 29% increase in gross income and a healthy cash reserve
• The Education Committee was relaunched this year with a renewed commitment to its mission
• Emphasis will be placed on the organization's advocacy for the upholstery industry, aiming to counteract the misconception that it is a dying trade

There is a strong need for volunteers within NUA. Harmony Maraldo, Director at Large of NUA, discussed the need for volunteers to assist with various tasks, including curating the quarterly newsletter and creating social media content. They emphasized the importance of having multiple volunteers for each task to share the workload. Harmony also highlighted the need for volunteers to join committees, which would help distribute the workload among board members and provide diverse perspectives. They encouraged interested individuals to reach out via email to volunteer@nationalupholsteryassociation.org.

Hi, I’m Nicole! I am one of the two NUA scholarship winners who was lucky enough to attend the 2024 Custom Workroom Conference in Rhode Island. I’d like to tell you a little about my amazing experience. Perhaps you are curious, but have not yet committed to attending a CWC? Maybe you have an employee that you are encouraging to attend? Applying for the generous National Upholstery Association scholarship is a step in the right direction.

So many smiling faces! This photo was taken by the talented professional photographer at NUA's Plate & Panel event. That's me in green.

Why I Applied for the NUA Scholarship

The short story is because I am new to upholstery. My husband and I started Green Zipper Upholstery recently, after several previous careers, and running another business together for 5 years. We are self-taught (or You Tube taught) so we are always learning something. We found out about NUA and quickly joined. The webinars, surveys, resources and mentorship program have been helpful tools for us to navigate the upholstery life.

• The relationships that develop through meeting others in the same industry, sharing knowledge and ideas, and collaborating on issues has been my single most effective resource for building a better business.
• Knowledge sharing in a welcoming environment is invaluable.

Once I learned about the NUA scholarship opportunity, I started the application process. It took some time to complete, but was well worth the effort, as the scholarship generously covers expenses and registration for the events. In looking back, I feel like I can utilize what I wrote for the application as a blueprint for my professional growth. Another useful tool earned!

My Custom Workroom Conference Goals

• A ‘one stop shopping’ way to network with colleagues in the field, see what works and doesn’t, improve skills, learn from others with more experience, meet my mentor in person.
• A chance to explore something I have not yet been professionally exposed to– sit in on a class to learn about something unfamiliar or out of my current scope of work.
• To meet vendors, learn about more products that will make upholstery life easier!

The Details

CWC time in Rhode Island was well-spent, and exceeded all my expectations. Custom Workroom Conference is a very well-planned event.

• The schedule was comfortable, the mix of class topics is diverse and appropriate for beginners to lifelong practitioners.
• Crowne Plaza was great! It was very convenient to have everything at the same venue.
  
• The NUA hosted Plate & Panel event on Sunday was the perfect way to start things off.
• Exhibitor-sponsored meals and entertainment were so much fun!

Much time and effort is put into planning CWC, and it shows! Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker, owners and producers of CWC should be very proud. Susan mentioned that each year event attendance has grown, and that in 2024 approximately 40% of attendees were newbies.

Plate & Panel Hosted by National Upholstery Association

This was a great way to meet the other NUA members that you will get to know throughout CWC! The format changes from year to year. This year:

• It took place on Sunday night, preceding CWC.
• Most attendees had already checked in to their room and it was an easy way to spend the first night, without even leaving the venue, including dinner.
• It was great way to transition from daily workroom mode to creative, brainstorming, big picture thinking mode, so as to soak up all the CWC possibilities.
• Esteemed panelists discussed a chosen topic related to upholstery, guided with related questions presented by an NUA moderator.

The Sessions Are Invigorating

• My overall takeaway feeling was that the ‘breath of fresh air’ was in full effect for everyone! 
• To attend a session and see people from all experience levels listening, interacting, and offering feedback is something everyone benefits from.
• We are all passionate about upholstery, so why not hang with like-minded folks to invigorate your daily routine?

Insider tip: Pick something our of your comfort zone, expand your knowledge.

So Many Exhibitors

CWC Exhibitor Marketplace exceeded my expectations. It was neatly organized and scheduled to keep you busy all day and minimize crowd congestion.

• The exhibitors spend a lot of time and money to attend conferences like CWC. It is a chance for them to get in front of so many industry folks, in a short period of time.
• Most vendors offer CWC specials and discounts. You can order supplies right then and there!
• It’s a great chance to say hello and thanks to those vendors that support our industry. Without them, where would we be?
• The Education Station offered short but sweet demonstrations, all day long.

Insider tip: Pick and choose what you like. Circle back around to chat with a vendor if they have a crowd. Come and go as you please. But don’t show up late for the big announcements at the end of the day!

See you in Tennessee!

Hopefully I have motivated you to apply for the NUA Scholarship to attend CWC in 2025, in Kingsport Tennessee!

Insider tip: tack on a few extra days to make it a vacation at this beautiful locale.

I had a great time, and am grateful for the scholarship from NUA to attend the Custom Workroom Conference in 2024. I have already blocked my calendar to attend next year.

Click here for more info on both this year and next year CWC. Hope to see you there!

By Monica Rhodes

Master Upholsterer Gareth Reese on The Hourglass Spring: Usage and History – sponsored by Upholstery Education

Gareth Rees is passionate about springs. In this webinar he shares a bit of his vast knowledge to cover the basics of the history of springs in furniture and the principals and dynamics of technique, including a demonstration of spring choice, placement and tying.

Gareth begins with the evolution of seating from hard, upright indicators of social stature to the padded and upholstered pieces we lounge upon today. He follows with an explanation of spring anatomy and variation and explains the relationship of these variables to the strength, function, longevity and feel of the sprung piece.

Though “there is no hard and fast rule” to choosing proper springs it is necessary to understand the many variables and their potential effects to make good decisions. Gareth provides rough compression rate guidelines to help determine the proper spring to use for your intended result. He then covers the fundamentals of spring placement and tying accompanied by a demonstration and a comparison of European vs. US technique. (The 8-way tie is the gold standard in the United States but - fun fact - the US is one of the only countries in which diagonal ties are used regularly.) Gareth concludes with advice on tying order for uniform vs. offset rows, as well as placement and tying of springs for large pieces and those with curved edges.

If you missed this webinar live it is well worth visiting on the NUA website - and be sure to stay tuned for Gareth’s follow-up webinar in January of 2025 on intermediate techniques including sprung edges, arms and backs.

Missed the National Upholstery Association’s September Webinar? Click here to watch it!

By Monica Rhodes

The Agony of Choice with Ron Russell of Groz-Beckert

In this deep dive into sewing machine needles, Ron Russell of Groz-Beckert, the world’s leading supplier, gets to the point about The Agony of Choice

Have you ever been in the middle of a job and found yourself frustrated by skipped stitches, unsightly irregular stitches, or broken thread?

The sewing needle, perhaps the smallest of the tools we use every day, impacts the quality of our work in a really big way. With the wide variety available, not to mention all those mysterious letters and numbers on each box of needles, many of us either struggle to make the right choice, or flat out avoid choice by just grabbing a needle and hoping for the best. During this information packed webinar Ron Russell shares 30 years of expertise to help us choose wisely and achieve “the fewest problems possible” while sewing with our machines.

Ron walks us through:

• the anatomy of a needle

• how to read the package to understand the quantity, quality, size, shape, and point of the needles inside

• the proper applications for standard and specialty variations titanium vs chromium coatings and their impact on performance and longevity

• point sizes and shapes and the effects they have on the appearance and strength of stitches for various applications

• and parameters for choosing the right size.

(As a bonus, Ron shares a quick and nifty trick for testing proper fit between a needle and thread.)

The webinar concludes with a discussion of Special Application Needles (SAN) that can make all the difference when sewing leather, vinyl, thick canvas, wovens, knits and bonded textiles as well as nuanced advice for avoiding the pitfalls of using a needle not well matched for the job.

Also included is a link to a handy needle size chart and an invitation from Ron to contact him anytime for needle suggestions and advice.

Missed the National Upholstery Association’s August Webinar? Click here to watch it!

By Monica Rhodes

Inside the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library with Ceil DiGuglielmo

“The most reliable industry resources all in one place.”

Ceil DiGuglielmo, is well known in the drapery and soft furnishings and upholstery trades as owner and editor of the Drapery & Design Digital Digest, host of the Sew Much More podcast, and co-host (with Susan Woodcock of Workroom Tech) of the podcast 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech. Adding to her already impressive list of contributions to industry education, Ceil has purchased and assumed the helm of the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library (CSFRL), formerly known as the Drapery & Design Forum.  During this webinar she describes and gives a tour of the current online platform for this outstanding repository of education and information noting that it is “a collective history of years of conversation and information…a living breathing resource” that is constantly evolving.

Ceil first explains the benefits of each of the CSFRL’s membership tiers: DIY (which is free), Pro Access, and Pro Plus, as well as how to set up profiles for both the library itself and the attached forum, which includes past and present discussion threads on myriad topics.

The forum is “a kinder, gentler place to make inquiries about anything and everything in the industry” where “we all have someone who understands us virtually by our side.”

Following that, Ceil provides a tour of the online library walking through several examples of the wide-ranging resources at the disposal of library members. The CSFRL delivers information through multiple forms of media addressing just about everything you can imagine. Offerings include past and current publications, webinars, downloadable PDFs, patterns, videos (including “fly-on-the wall” documentaries in which industry professionals solve problems and complete real projects from start to finish) and technical and business manuals that would otherwise be costly to purchase.

Unfamiliar with the CSFRL or considering a membership? Watch this webinar on replay to see what you have been missing! Have a membership already? This will help you make the most of it. Chances are you have accessed just a fraction of the vast amount of information, education and support that is available to you!

Missed the National Upholstery Association’s July Webinar? Click here to watch it!