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What is the Cost to Put Leather Seats in a Car?
Since the creation of the automobile, people have desired upgrades. In some cases, drivers look for power and drive enhancements to increase horsepower or fuel-efficiency. Others want upgrades for suspension systems, particularly if they take their vehicles off-road.
However, in today’s society where a large part of the time is spent in a vehicle’s interior, drivers look for more comforts for their long treks. In particular, they want to upgrade from fabric or pseudo-leather seats to true leather upholstery. Soft and supple, leather provides a more comfortable ride.
Needless to say, an upgrade like this does cost extra and depends on a few factors. To give you a better idea, here are four elements that go into adding faux leather seat covers to your existing car.
Are manufacturer upgrades available?
If going through an independent vehicle detailer, the addition of leather seats or upholstery overlays for your existing seats ranges between $1500 and $2000. Particularly if your car is of an older or retired model.
However, if your car is still within a few years of when it was initially purchased, then there’s a chance the upgrades can be made at the dealership or licensed shop. The application of leather seats at this type of location can cost much less than an independent retailer. Furthermore, there may be different options when it comes to texture and color.
What type of leather do you want?
This is an important factor in the cost. Domestically produced leather might be the least expensive. If it comes from a higher-end retailer, perhaps a business that hand-stitches the upholstery, the average price will be higher.
The most expensive leather comes from international locations where the material is not only hand-stitched but cut and tanned without any machinery. Here, the craftsmanship and uniqueness of the product are what significantly ups the cost of the material.
How soft do you want the leather?
If you’ve owned a leather jacket or knew someone who did, then you understand there are different levels of softness. This is done through conditioning of the material at the manufacturer. The same is done for leather seats.
You can feel the softness by sitting down. The softer it is, the easier it molds into your body. So, even if the seats aren’t adjustable, the upholstery can form under you for a comfortable ride. In the end, this level of suppleness determines extra costs for a seat upgrade.
What type of warranty do you need?
If the fabric does not come with a complete warranty, you can do one of two things. First, take care of the leather seats on your own. Second, purchase an extended warranty to ensure the upholstery is taken care of long after you’ve sold the vehicle.
Extended warranties may include annual treatment of the leather and repairs to any potential tears. It may even involve complete replacement if the problems are due to manufacturer error. These can add to the $1500-$2000 average cost for replacement.
In the end, there are many factors to the cost of putting leather seats in a car. Take careful consideration of these before you make a move. Getting the right answers to these questions can make your vehicle time more comfortable than sitting in your favorite chair at home.