For more information on the background to these questions and why they should be asked – see ‘The 7 things you must know before buying Covers or Re-Upholstery’ 

1.  Am I getting Covers or Re-Upholstery?

      You’d be amazed how often people are confused after they have been discussing various options – make sure it’s written clearly on an order form or quotation.

2.  Will your company be carrying out the work yourselves, or will you be sub-contracting my order? 

       If sub-contracting, is the sub-contractor a member of the same trade body as themselves?(Note: All Lynplan work is carried out by our own staff – we do not sub-contract) 

3.  Is your Company a member of the Association of Master Upholsterers?

      If not… are they a member of any other relevant trade association – then check what protection that association gives you. 

4.  What Guarantees do you give?

      Do you give a money-back guarantee on Covers?  How long is your in-service Guarantee on Covers and on Re-Upholstery

      Make sure this is written down somewhere – preferably clearly in the terms and conditions. 

5.  Does the price include everything? 

      Is there a chance I could be charged extra if ‘something comes to light during the work’?

      Is Collection and Re-Delivery included if appropriate and VAT. 

      Also check that what you are being given is a quotation (firm price) or an estimate (final price could vary).  Also check on terms and conditions – are they on the quotation? If not ask for a copy before signing up to anything. 

6.  What are the key facts on the fabric?  

      Durability - is is classed as Light Domestic, General Domestic, Contract etc?

      Pattern - if it has a pattern, is it used randomly, centralised, are stripes matched etc?

      Cleaning - can I machine wash it without shrinking, or is it Dry Clean only?

      Remember - if the fabric has a 'pile' eg a Velvet or Chenille, it may show shading when the pile is crushed when you sit on it, and when light strikes it from different directions.

If looking at Covers: 

7.  Are these Traditionally made Covers or Stretch?

      That is... will they comply with the Fire Regulations for Traditional Covers and Re-Upholstery, or the less stringent requirements for Stretch Covers. 

8.  How are these Covers going to be made? 

      Are they from pre-existing tried and tested templates for my particular furniture?

      Are you going to make a template or Cut the Cover fabric on the furniture in my home or take it away to do it.

      Are you going to take some photographs and measurements and have the cover made form them? 

If Re-Upholstery: 

9.  Is this full Re-Upholstery or a Re-Cover?

      That is, are all the filling materials being replaced from the frame up (full Re-Upholstery), or is just the Cover being replaced (Re-Cover).  And if it is full Re-Upholstery will the furniture come back properly labelled so it complies with the Fire Regulations (see 'How Safe is my Sofa')?

      Again make sure this is written down on the quotation – Re-Upholstery or Re-Cover. 

10.  How long will my furniture be away? 

      Do you make an appointment for collection and delivery?  Is loan furniture available? 

11.  If you have polished wood on your furniture: will you be re-polishing the wood? 

      If so, will you be stripping back all the old polish and re-polishing or wiping over the old finish to tidy it up? 

12.  If I’m having only part of a suite done now and may have the rest done later, will the two batches match – or will I need them all done at the same time to match?  

© Lynplan Ltd 2008