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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 10:41 AM
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Default cost to replace leather

Hi everybody. Not many upholstery shops near me. The one local guy quoted me 450 to put the new leather on the seats of my 2000 coupe. Does this price sound about right or is it high? He would be replacing the foam and putting the new leathers on. I would supply all the materials. Any feedback would be appreciated.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Belba184
Hi everybody. Not many upholstery shops near me. The one local guy quoted me 450 to put the new leather on the seats of my 2000 coupe. Does this price sound about right or is it high? He would be replacing the foam and putting the new leathers on. I would supply all the materials. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Have you seen his work ? Dealerships charge 100 to 120 an hour, body shops charge 80 to 100 an hour, specialty shops charge 80 to 150 an hour... removing the seat from the car, removing the existing skins and foam, prepping the seats for new foam.. ( adding burlap etc. ) installing the new foam foam, installing s and steaming them properly, and reinstalling them in the car is a 4 to six hour job, 6 divided by 450 =75 an hour. Sounds about right to me, if he does a professional job.
Bill

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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 12:08 PM
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I think I paid a bit less - - but it could just be the market or the vendor.

Shop around - - but the lowest price isn't always the best - - -maybe check with some local Corvette clubs?

EDIT- in addition the labor cost of about $400 (seats delivered to the upholstery shop) I paid about $1200 for the leather seat covers but didn't replace the foam.

Last edited by CQRT; Nov 6, 2018 at 01:19 PM.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 12:16 PM
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Is it $450 for just the labor? That's what it sounds like....what does the material/leather cost?

IMO - I'd say screw that & put in some nice aftermarket Corbeau seats....they run like $400 a piece anyhow & you could install yourself then recoup a good chunk of the cost selling your stock seats.

Last edited by C5Dobie; Nov 2, 2018 at 12:17 PM.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Belba184
Hi everybody. Not many upholstery shops near me. The one local guy quoted me 450 to put the new leather on the seats of my 2000 coupe. Does this price sound about right or is it high? He would be replacing the foam and putting the new leathers on. I would supply all the materials. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I paid $200 to install new leather and foam, I live in Florida. Jim

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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 01:00 PM
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$450 sounds ok for labor. Foam you can get for $300. As for covers, it depends on the material. My new ones are kidskin which is real and soft and expensive.

It can be a DiY but it is tricky. There are youtube videos about changing covers.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 02:11 PM
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I paid 390 for the leather covers 300 for the foam. the 450 was just labor. This guy is the cheapest around everyone hears corvette and I think the price just goes up.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 03:32 PM
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Just my experience, but when I swapped out my stock set covers for a set of Vette Essential ones, I paid $200 in labor. I did remove the seats from the car and delivered them to the upholstery shop then picked them back up.
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 03:44 PM
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Thanks everyone I guess Illinois dealers around me just have a high Corvette tax
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Old Nov 2, 2018 | 04:15 PM
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I wouldn't pay anyone to do the installation if you're providing the materials. New leather covers and foam from a vendor like Vette Essentials will set you back $2500+ but installation is easy. No hog rings just zippers, Velcro and few ty-wraps.
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Old Nov 3, 2018 | 05:20 AM
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Here in South Carolina I found a guy who's going to come to my home, remove the seats & console lid, take it to his shop, then install the leather I'm buying. He'll then bring it all back and re-install everything for $250. To me it's a no brainer!!

Last edited by Ramets; Nov 3, 2018 at 05:20 AM.
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Old Nov 3, 2018 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Ramets
Here in South Carolina I found a guy who's going to come to my home, remove the seats & console lid, take it to his shop, then install the leather I'm buying. He'll then bring it all back and re-install everything for $250. To me it's a no brainer!!
Good luck with that. I hope it all works out.
Bill
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Old Nov 3, 2018 | 04:13 PM
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I replaced seat foam and leather covers + install $1200
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Old Nov 3, 2018 | 08:50 PM
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I recently got a quote from a highly recommended shop, they have done work for me before which was very nice. Price quoted, with me providing all the materials, was $200 per seat. Foam and leather, they remove the seats and re-install.
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Old Nov 3, 2018 | 10:56 PM
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Rarely do reskinned and/or recushioned seats look as uniform as factory. Usually wrinkly or stretched tight like plastic surgery. Maybe 5 out of 100 look right. Something to know ahead of time.

If at all possible find good used (can be found cheap) or maybe consider c6 seats which will bolt directly to your seat tracks/hardware. I’m told c7 seats (awesome especially Comp to sit in, try them, even base are miles beyond anything Corvette has mustered until now) will bolt to c6 frames which mean they should also fit c5. Because vendors are still charging solid 4 figure$ for used c7 seats it hasn’t been fleshed out yet though.

Personally I’m waiting for a set of solid black c7 base seats in nice shape to hit closer to 3 figures and I’ll make the swap in my c5z.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:30 AM
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Thanks for all the replies. The cheapest I found in my area was $400 cash for install. Ill post a pic later. I think they turned out good.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:33 AM
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To cost to replace leather

Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:34 AM
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I know it has some wrinkles, Im hoping with a little more heat they will go away but overall im happy with the quality of the leather seats and how they look.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Belba184
I know it has some wrinkles, Im hoping with a little more heat they will go away but overall im happy with the quality of the leather seats and how they look.
They look good, and they will loo9k better when that cabin gets heated up...You could rent a steamer and soften that leather right up, and take them out..Also in the summer, the foam will breath a little to help with the wrinkles. The bottom looks perfect, the top has a very acceptable few, as I said, they will go away with a little heat.
Bill
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 08:09 AM
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If they are comfortable who cares what the cost is . The seats in Corvette over the years has been improving and i hope it continues! They look great , love that saddle color.
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