How much does it cost to have leather seat covers installed?

Leather seat covers can be a great way to upgrade and customize the interior of your vehicle. High-quality leather gives your seats a luxurious look and feel, while also providing increased durability and easier cleaning compared to fabric upholstery. However, having leather seat covers professionally installed can come at a significant cost. In this article, we’ll look at the key factors that influence the cost of installing leather seat covers and provide typical price ranges you can expect.

Cost Factors

Several main considerations affect the total installation cost:

Type of Vehicle

The make and model of vehicle determines how much leather material is required and how difficult installation will be. For example, installing covers on a compact sedan with front seats only is simpler and requires less material than an SUV with third row seating.

Type of Leather

Leather quality varies dramatically. Top grain Italian leather can cost up to $150 per yard, while lower grades of vinyl/leather blends can be $25 per yard or less. Exotic options like ostrich or alligator leather will be even more expensive.

Custom vs Pre-Made Covers

Getting covers custom designed for your exact vehicle with desired features costs more than using pre-made “one size fits many” options. Custom patterns better fit your seats and include openings for integrated airbags, seat controls, and seat warmers.

Additional Customizations

Extra modifications like perforations, embossing, color contrast stitching, piping, and more all add to labor time and material costs.

Labor Costs

Shop rates for installation typically range from $50 to $100 per hour. More complex seat cover replacement can take 5 hours or longer.

Brand and Quality

The brand and quality of leather used impacts cost. For example, high end Coverking leather seat covers that are custom-patterned for your exact vehicle start around $500. Lesser known brands with lower grade leather are less than $300.

Cost Range

Given the above factors, here are typical price ranges for having aftermarket leather seat covers installed:

Basic Vinyl/Leatherette Covers

$200-$400

– Pre-made covers using lower grade vinyl/leatherette materials
– Simple installation taking 1-3 hours shop time
– Covers front seats only on typical sedan

Mid-Grade Leather Covers

$400-$800

– Pre-made or custom covers using medium grade leather
– Installation time around 3-5 hours
– Can include front and back seats of sedan/SUV

High-End Custom Leather

$800-$2,000+

– Custom covers using top full grain Italian leather
– 5+ hours installation time
– Whole interior of luxury sedan or SUV
– Additional leather customizations and embroidery

Cost to Buy Leather Seat Covers

If you plan to install the leather seat covers yourself, here are typical price ranges for just the cover materials:

Basic Vinyl/Leatherette Covers

$100-$250

Mid-Grade Leather Covers

$250-$500

High-End Custom Leather Covers

$500-$1,500

Keep in mind top brands like Katzkin and Coverking include free shipping for custom leather orders. Lower priced eBay and Amazon sellers often charge shipping fees.

Cost of Professional Installation

If you purchase covers separately, typical labor rates for installation are:

– Local auto upholstery shop: $50-$100 per hour
– Car dealership: $125+ per hour

Shops usually estimate 1-3 hours for vinyl covers, 3-5 hours for mid-grade leather, and 5+ hours for custom leather. Simple front seat covers can be under $300 installed, while a full leather interior can be over $1,000 for labor alone.

Factors That Increase Cost

Certain vehicles and customizations make for more expensive installation:

– Luxury vehicles – more leather material needed to cover larger/more seats
– Custom designing patterns – additional design time and labor
– Perforations, embossing, stitching accents – extra cutting and sewing
– SUVs, minivans, trucks – harder access to rear seats
– Integrated seat airbags – specialized leather opening panels
– Heated seats – cover installation around wiring

Factors That Decrease Cost

You may be able to reduce the total project cost by:

– Using lower grade vinyl/leatherette material
– Choosing pre-made seat covers instead of custom fit
– Skipping perforations, embroidery, contrast stitching
– Providing your own removal tools to save shop time
– Going to an independent upholstery shop instead of dealer
– Only covering front seats instead of entire interior

Covering Just Front Seats

To save money, you can choose to only install covers on your front seats. This reduces material and labor costs compared to doing the entire interior. Typical front seat cover installation prices are:

– Vinyl/Leatherette: $200-$300
– Mid-Grade Leather: $300-$500
– Custom Leather: $500-$800

You can always choose to do the rear seats later if desired. Doing just the driver and passenger seats provides the biggest visual impact.

DIY Installation

You can save on labor by completing the seat cover installation yourself. However, this requires having automotive upholstery experience and tools. Key steps include:

– Fully removing factory seat upholstery
– Removing and reinstalling seat bottom and back cushions
– Using hog ring pliers to attach covers to seat frame
– Stretching materials tight to avoid wrinkles
– Reassembling seats and reinstalling into vehicle

Watch online video guides to see the intricate installation process. Attempting it yourself can save $200-$500 in labor per seat, but has risks of damaging upholstery or seats if not done properly.

Where to Purchase Leather Seat Covers

Quality leather seat covers designed to fit your exact vehicle can be purchased from:

– National retailers like Coverking, Katzkin, Caltrend
– Online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, Amazon
– Local auto upholstery shops
– Car dealership parts departments

For custom leather covers, going through a specialty retailer is best to get patterns designed for your seats. Generic options on Amazon may not fit right. Auto upholstery shops also offer custom ordering services.

Professional Installation Options

Businesses that provide professional seat cover installation include:

– Auto upholstery shops – often lowest price option
– Car dealership service department – most expensive but most convenient
– Local mechanic shops – call to ask if they offer services
– Mobile upholstery businesses – they come to your location

Upholstery shops focus on interior repairs and upgrades like seat covers. Dealerships have high hourly rates but offer one-stop service. Mobile installers provide convenience but typically charge premium rates.

How Long Does it Take?

The time required depends on the seat material and number of seats being covered:

– Vinyl/leatherette front seats only: 1-2 hours
– Mid-grade leather front seats: 2-3 hours
– Custom leather front seats: 3-4 hours
– Full leather interior: 4+ hours

This does not include any extra time needed for removals of existing upholstery. Additional time is required if integrated airbags or electronic controls must be worked around.

Improving Interiors Affordably

Here are some money saving tips on freshening up your car’s interior with leather seat covers:

– Purchase mid-grade pre-made covers and install yourself
– Cover just the front seats for now to keep costs down
– Use a local upholstery shop rather than a dealer
– Provide your own hog ring pliers and removal tools
– Search online marketplaces for discounted covers
– Avoid additional perforations or contrast stitching
– Pick a solid color leather rather than two-tone

Prioritizing the driver’s seat area provides the most visual impact for the lowest cost. With some smart compromises, you can gain the look and feel of luxury leather at an affordable budget.

High-End Look at Lower Cost

Some ways to achieve a luxury interior at a fraction of the cost:

– Purchase quality used leather seat covers
– Install leather yourself on front seats only
– Use leather/vinyl combinations to save material cost
– Buy discontinued or open box leather covers at discount
– Consider lower grades of leather that mimic higher quality
– Use seat heaters instead of perforated leather
– Shop end-of-year sales and clearance for deals

Focus your budget on visible high wear areas like bolsters and leave cheaper vinyl on harder to see areas. Combining different materials and buying at the right times of year can save hundreds compared to full custom leather interiors.

Maintenance for Leather Covers

Caring for your leather seat covers properly helps them last for years:

– Vacuum regularly to remove dirt and dust
– Wipe down monthly with leather cleaner and conditioner
– Treat spills quickly to avoid stains
– Avoid direct sun exposure which can fade and dry leather
– Install seat protectors for pets or kids
– Keep leather moisturized in cold dry climates
– Re-condition annually to refresh look and suppleness

High quality leather treated properly can actually outlast factory upholstery. Taking the time to care for and maintain your upgraded leather interior protects your investment.

Conclusion

Installing leather seat covers can provide a significant upgrade to your vehicle’s interior and comfort. But it does come at a cost, with pricing starting around $200 for basic vinyl up to over $2,000 for full custom leather installation. The specific costs for your vehicle will depend on the type of leather, number of seats, custom addons, and labor rates. While expensive, replacing worn factory upholstery with supple leather can make your car feel luxurious. Focus your budget on the driver and passenger seats for the most impact. With some smart compromises and proper care, leather seat covers can be a worthwhile investment in your driving experience.