FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I am from El Salvador, country where sometimes people needs to learn an occupation/profession when they are very young, so I started at the age of 8 to learn the skills to be an upholsterer. Since that moment it was my profession for all my long life until today in the United States, now with all the experience that I have I am general upholsterer that means that I can work with any kind of project: antiques, new furniture, cars, boats, airplanes, restaurants, night clubs, canvas, etc, I know all the steps of the upholstery, cutting, sewing, upholsterying, etc. I know how to use any kind of machine, tool, or any other stuff related with it.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Search for upholstereres in the area, it ill be more convenient for both about prices and delivery Search about their experience and also for references if it is possible Get few different estimates about price and time to make it (the price not necessary means that will be better because it is cheaper or expensive, the price is related directly with the quality of labor and materials) Get advices from them If it is required do not pay the full amount of the project in advance, a porcentaje of it that definetely will be less or equal than the 50% it is fair, because the upholsterer will need it to buy materials, and supplies, pay the difference until the project is done Ask for guarantee in case that something happen with the piece related to the reupholstery and also if it is possible for a receipt for you advance and final payment If the piece is really antique and you want to keep it, I recommend you to reuphoslter but if it is the kind of new furnitures (commercial), it will be more convenient to buy a new one instead to reupholster it.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
This profession requires patience, detail, attention, strenght, creativity, and imagination. It is a big compromise to work on a piece because it is not only the proper use of the materials, but it is also to take care on all the details, do not damage the piece, use the fabric on the proper way, and at the end to give it to the customer as he really expect, with a new look, comfortable, and with all the details that he wanted. This is a profession that it does not matter how many years of experience you have because always we are learning something new, new ways to work, new machines and technology, new designs of the pieces, new materials, fabrics, vynils, and leathers, new tools, and new supplies.