A set of chairs should be planned together, even when each chair is assessed individually. The same model and age do not necessarily mean the same wear. The most frequently used chair may have a different seat shape or looser joints than the others.
When you ask about recovering chairs, a combined photo helps to show the set. Supplement with pictures of the individual differences.
Number the chairs before they are mixed together
Give each chair a temporary marking that does not damage the surface. Then make a short list: chair 1 has a loose seat, chair 2 has a tear in the fabric, chair 3 feels lower. The marking must follow the chair through the assessment.
If seats are removable, keep each one identified with its correct frame. Older seat boards may have been individually fitted, and small differences can make reassembly difficult. This matters especially for sets assembled from chairs bought at different times.
Decide how consistent the result should be
Some wish for the same fabric and same firmness. Others wish to preserve differences between original chairs or work with two colours. Both can be conscious choices. The important thing is that the goal is agreed before cutting and construction.
Ask if the material can be supplied as a whole, and if the chosen quality has variations that should be included in the expectation. Always compare a physical sample with the wood. A screen is an unreliable basis for a final colour decision.
Plan the fabric direction and pattern
Stripes, checks and clear weaving should be positioned according to the same principle across the entire set. On chairs with padded backs, it must also be clarified how the seat and back interact.
Take a picture of the test placement and use it as a common reference. The guide to choosing fabric for chairs covers the questions to ask before choosing a colour.
Use one chair as a reference
For larger changes to the filling or details, it may be relevant to agree on a trial chair or a reference seat. This must be agreed as part of the process; it is not automatically included in any task.
Evaluate the reference chair at the table where it will be used. Look at seat height, distance to the tabletop, the edge's shape, and the appearance from the side. Only then is it meaningful to replicate the construction on the rest.
Agree on quantity, transport and sequence
Ensure that the quote clearly states the number of chairs and any special repairs. Clarify also whether the entire set must be dropped off at the same time, or if the work can be divided. This affects both planning and the possibility of comparing the parts along the way.
Use the reupholstery quote checklist to check materials, VAT and practical items. A common material choice makes comparison easier, but it does not remove the need to describe the condition of each chair.
