FAQ

My fabric still looks good, but the cushions are weak and lack support. Do I need to reupholster the entire sofa or chair just to freshen up the look of my piece?
No. One of the best ways to get more life out of your fabric is to have top-quality cushion inserts. We offer a variety of cushion options, along with Dacron wrapping as replacements for your old inserts. You will not believe the difference you will feel and see immediately just by replacing the inserts! For more info, go to the Furniture Facelift section here.

Are all upholsterers equal?
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Many companies will offer extremely low bids for upholstery services, in addition to using low quality materials (low quality foam, Dacron, etc.) and cutting corners when it comes to craftsmanship. For example, instead of removing old material or fabric, many companies will place the new fabric right on top. The results of lower quality reupholstery will result in a reduced life expectancy for your piece as well as possible aesthetic issues.

Do not pursue cheap upholsterers…
if the price is too low, there is a reason why.

Several of our clients come to us as a result of originally going to a cheaper upholsterer. This means they had to pay to have the job done twice. Why not avoid this unfortunate scenario and get the job done right, the first time? At Howard's, we focus on customer satisfaction. We don't sell add-ons, unless you ask for them. We do our best to produce the piece exactly as you requested. 

Does it matter if old fabric is not removed prior to reupholstering a piece of furniture?
Yes, it does. Covering over old fabric causes the new fabric to slide, thereby sacrificing a crisp look and causing the new fabric to wear-out much more quickly. In addition, soiling from the old fabric can seep through padding and appear on the new fabric. Furthermore, the unsanitary aspect of covering over the old fabric speaks for itself.

Can I design my own piece or get a custom piece created from a picture I found in a magazine?
Absolutely! Whether you are reproducing a favorite design, creating an original, or designing your own, our master craftsmen are capable of most anything you can envision. Simply contact us, or drop in with an explanation of your vision and we will work with you to bring it to life. For more info, go to the Custom Furniture section here.

What is the difference between a piece I purchase at a “Designer Store” and the custom furniture you build?
A great deal of new furniture is currently manufactured in China. Many furniture manufacturers use inferior products in the fabrication process such as cardboard and pine, but especially engineered wood. Engineered wood is nothing more than a euphemism for pressboard or particleboard, neither of which are environmentally friendly choices. Much of this furniture ends up on curbsides and ultimately, landfills. We use only kiln-dried hardwood, individual eight-way hand-tied springs or no-sag springs, corner blocks, double-doweling, screws and glue in the fabrication of our furniture. Our mantra is to use only the finest quality materials available: from the wood we use for framing, to the thread we use to sew your fabric and the Dacron used to wrap your cushions to the heavier bottom cloth. Howard's furniture is built to last for generations.

I have an old piece of furniture that belonged to my grandmother. Should I reupholster it or purchase new?
Old furniture is typically the best quality furniture. If you simply desire a new design, we can often modify the frame to change the look entirely (depending upon the type of frame). We can work with you to update or refresh your piece. It may have belonged to your grandma, but now it's all you. To learn more, go to the Reupholstery section here.