Primo Upholstery in Chattanooga: Reupholstering Mid-Century and Heirloom Furniture
Primo Upholstery is a single-shop reupholstery business that specializes in residential furniture restoration, from mid-century modern pieces to traditional heirlooms, operating as the primary full-service reupholstering option for homeowners in Chattanooga who want to preserve existing furniture rather than replace it.
What Primo Upholstery actually is
Primo Upholstery performs complete reupholstering work: stripping frames to bare wood, repairing or replacing internal structure, adding new batting and padding, and covering pieces in customer-selected fabric. The shop handles sofas, chairs, ottomans, headboards, and benches. Work is done on-site in a single location rather than as a mobile service, and the business emphasizes frame inspection and structural repair as part of every job, not as add-ons discovered mid-project.
Services and pricing
Primo Upholstery prices jobs by piece type and complexity rather than by square footage. A basic dining chair typically runs $300 to $600 depending on frame condition and fabric choice. A standard sofa starts around $1,200 and can reach $2,500 or more for pieces with deep tufting, nailhead trim, or extensive frame repairs. Wingback chairs and recliners fall in the $700 to $1,400 range. These figures assume customer-supplied fabric; if Primo sources fabric through their vendor network, material costs are separate and factored into the final quote. The shop offers free in-home estimates where a team member assesses the frame, explains what structural work is necessary, and provides a written quote before any work begins. Turnaround is typically 6 to 8 weeks for standard pieces, longer if frame rebuilding is extensive. A verification call is advisable before committing, as labor rates and material sourcing can shift seasonally.
How Primo Upholstery compares to other Chattanooga reupholstering options
Chattanooga has limited direct competition in full-service reupholstery. Some furniture retailers, including larger chains in the downtown and North Shore areas, offer reupholstering through third-party contractors, but these arrangements typically involve a middleman markup of 15 to 25 percent and less transparency about who actually performs the work. Primo handles jobs directly with no intermediary, which generally results in lower cost and direct communication with the craftsperson. For homeowners seeking upholstery work on very high-end or antique pieces, some restoration specialists in nearby areas (Knoxville, Nashville) offer museum-quality work at substantially higher labor rates ($80 to $120 per hour versus Primo's mid-range positioning). Primo suits most residential customers; museum-grade restoration is niche and typically unnecessary for family heirlooms or vintage furniture intended for everyday use.
Who Primo Upholstery suits and who it does not
Primo works best for people who own structurally sound vintage or mid-century furniture they want to keep, or heirloom pieces passed down through families. If a sofa or chair has good bones but worn or dated upholstery, reupholstering through Primo is cost-effective compared to replacement. The process also suits customers who have a specific fabric in mind and want control over that choice rather than buying pre-upholstered inventory. Primo is not ideal for customers on a tight timeline (6 to 8 weeks is standard), those seeking rush turnaround (not offered), or homeowners who need a piece recovered quickly for a specific event. It is also not the choice if the frame is severely compromised or if the piece is so inexpensive that repair cost would exceed replacement value by a wide margin.
What the first visit involves
Contact Primo by phone or through their shop location to request an estimate. A team member will visit your home to examine the piece in place, assess the frame for damage, soft spots, or structural issues, discuss fabric options (bringing samples or discussing sourcing), and explain what work is included in the price. The estimate is provided in writing and is non-binding; you can shop fabric independently and bring it to the appointment or work with Primo's fabric suppliers. Once you approve the quote, you coordinate a pickup date. Primo handles transport and removal. Work proceeds on a scheduled basis, and you are contacted when the piece is near completion for a final inspection before delivery.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Primo Upholstery is located on a residential-adjacent street with street parking; confirm current hours and parking details with the shop directly. In-home estimates are available by appointment and do not require a trip to the showroom first. Pickup and delivery are included in quoted prices. The shop operates during standard business hours; verify current scheduling before booking, as holiday closures or seasonal staffing can affect availability.
Primo Upholstery fills a genuine gap for Chattanooga homeowners who want to preserve furniture with personal or design value rather than discard it, and the direct relationship between customer and craftsperson eliminates the guesswork that comes with brokered reupholstery arrangements.
