There is hardly any furniture more loyal like a favorite recliner. After a few months, it fits perfectly to your body, becomes the convenient go-to location for movies or lazy Sunday afternoons, and may even have sentimental value far greater than its purchase price. When that much-loved chair has started to squeak, droop, or not recline the way it should, just about every homeowner has to ask the same question: do we need to repair it, or has the time come to send it off?
This is not always an easy decision! This will depend on the age of the recliner, what kind of damage is at hand and how severe the damage is, the replacement parts and labor required, and one’s emotions about the recliner itself. This guide explains every aspect and lets you know the best way to make an informed choice that is confident, cost-effective and works solely for your home, and your wallet.
Understanding Common Recliner Problems
It is important to understand what the main problems are when it comes to recliners over time, before you even make the decision to repair or replace.
The most common problems are broken reclining mechanisms, worn-out springs, sagging cushions, torn upholstery, broken footrest mechanisms, and damaged frames. Power recliners can have electric/motor burnouts in addition to mechanical wear and tear, but mechanical recliners require metal parts and springs that will wear with use.
The first part of any problem identification is to see if a repair is feasible. Sometimes, it’s a simple problem, such as a footrest that gets stuck or the handle that’s loose, for instance, which can be easily and cheaply addressed. Additional problems, such as a collapsed portion or a broken motor along with torn upholstery material are likely to indicate that the chair is likely to be useful for just a short while.
The Cost of Common Recliner Repairs
Depending on the defect and the type of recliner, repair costs will differ considerably.
There are two types of recline mechanism repairs – adjustments or replacement – which cost a different amount, usually anywhere between one hundred dollars and three hundred dollars. The price for replacement or tensioning the spring is typically in the range of $50 to $150. Reupholstering a recliner costs between three hundred and eight hundred dollars depending on the quality of the cloth used and the intricate design of the recliner.
The electrical components used in power recliners make it more expensive when repairs are needed. The replacement of this motor may cost up to four hundred dollars, and if it is related to wiring or control panel components, it can further increase the repair expenses. If the wooden or metal frame has warped or cracked, frame repairs may be expensive and in some cases may not be deemed as a feasible idea if the damage is extensive.
The Cost of Replacing Your Recliner
Replacements costs are highly variable according to features and quality that are desired.
The basic manual recliners begin at about three hundred – six hundred dollars for the lower price range. Recliners from the middle price range come in at somewhere between six hundred and twelve hundred dollars, and provide more comfortable padding, better materials and higher quality mechanism. Leather recliners and high-quality power recliners with heat, massage and customizable options can cost between fifteen hundred and three thousand dollars or more.
Deliveries, assembly, and the disposal of your old recliner are also important considerations, as some retailers provide them and others charge them separately.
The Fifty Percent Rule: A Helpful Decision Guide
The fifty percent rule is one of the common rules most commonly used when choosing whether to repair furniture or not. If the repair is more expensive than the cost of buying a similar new recliner, it’s usually more economical to replace the recliner.
If you can find a similar new recliner for $800, and you are going to pay only $300 for the repair, then it is good business to repair it. If the same repair cost goes up to five hundred dollars, however, then it’s best to invest in a new chair that comes with a warranty of its own and there are no wear and tear issues.
While this rule is a good guideline and might be the most important one, you should not only consider it.
Age and Overall Condition Matter
The age is a significant factor that takes into account repair. A chair that is two to three years old and has 1 mechanical problem is a good choice for repair, assuming the remaining parts are probably in good shape.
The calculation is different for a recliner 10 years or older. However, even if one part is broken, other parts of the chair, such as the foam padding, the springs and the upholstery, may be too worn to last much longer as well. When you fix one issue with an older chair, a new issue emerges within a year or two, causing you to spend money all over again on the chair until at some point the total cost surpasses the price of buying a new recliner.
Sentimental Value and Comfort Considerations
It’s not just about financial calculations all of the time. Many owners of houses have recliners which have been broken in just right after multiple years of use which make for incomparable comfort over a brand new chair. There are other recliners you might have that have sentimental value gifts from loved ones or those linked to important moments.
Under such circumstances a relatively high percentage investment in repair, even close to the fifty percent point, may be quite warranted. But comfort and emotional value are real factors that shouldn’t be overlooked when making a decision – they should be considered in addition to the numbers.
Environmental and Practical Considerations
Furniture repair also has real environmental benefits, such as reducing landfill waste and the need for new sources of raw materials and manufacturing resources. If sustainability is a priority for homeowners, then for the most part, repair is usually the first inclination that should be taken where it’s cost-effective and feasible.
From a practical standpoint, replacement furniture may have to wait for delivery, particularly when the furniture is custom or the fabric is rare or special, while repairs may only take a few days. The turnaround time is another crucial consideration for your final decision, if you are in the need of a working recliner, then this is certainly one worth taking a careful look at.
When Replacement Is Clearly the Better Option
In some cases there is no hesitation at all on replacing regardless of sentimental needs. If the wooden frame has been cracked or broken, is badly damaged by water or fire, is structurally sound, a number of mechanical failures all at once – these are all signs that a recliner has worn out and needs to be replaced. In these situations, it would simply be pouring money down the drain on a chair that is just going to keep falling apart.
Conclusion
The factors you need to take into account when choosing between repair or replacement are: repair costs, price of replacement, the age and condition of the recliner and sentimental value you have for your chair. When the recliner has minor mechanical problems and it is relatively new, it might be better to repair the recliner than to replace it. When it comes to older chairs with multiple issues, replacement is likely to provide better long-term value and reliability.
The Recliner Doctor offers expert furniture mechanism replacement services, professional recliner repair services and honest upholstery restoration, which will help you make your decision with confidence to extend the life or a chair you love. With our highly trained techs on the job we will evaluate your recliner, offer you a thorough estimate of the repair incurred and help you determine the amount it will make sense for you.
Give The Recliner Doctor a call today and see if you’re looking to extend the life of your favorite chair or give it a good send-off.