Automotive upholstery mainly refers to the recovering, reupholstering, of the seats and trim of a vehicle’s interior. The seats are the most commonly reupholstered part because they see the most damage and use.

Having the car seats professionally reupholstered (not just adding slip covers, but completely replacing the old material with a chosen fabric, adding foam or batting where needed, and repairing springs if needed) typically costs $200-$750 per seat, or about $1200-$2,000 + for two bucket seats and a back bench seat.

While leather seats do cost more they are always in demand for car buyers. Vehicles with leather seats often have a higher resale value because of the expensive interior. Many customers also enjoy leather seats because of the silky smooth touch, pleasant smell and level of comfort.

You should apply conditioner to your seats every 3-4 months, or whenever you notice your seats becoming dry. Leather conditioner can be purchased at most stores that carry leather spray. The conditioner will keep your seats moist and prevent cracking while also protecting them from the sun.

Leather interiors can increase the value of your car, but it’ll depend on the vehicle. High-end cars might be expected to have a leather interior, so that’s not really an additional selling point, but it’ll add more value to a car where it’s considered a luxury.