Commercial Upholsterer Contractor — Romford, East London and South Essex

A national commercial furniture services business is looking for self-employed Commercial Upholsterers to join its contractor network covering Romford, East London and South Essex, working on contract and commercial upholstery projects on an ongoing, self-employed basis.

Romford and Ilford have busy town centres full of bars, restaurants and venues, and Brentwood, Basildon and Chelmsford add business parks, hotels and Essex hospitality along the A12 and A127.

Area covered: Romford, Ilford, Brentwood, Basildon, Chelmsford and Upminster. Work is booked in blocks around Romford (RM1 3BB), with the occasional project further afield where hotel costs are covered by the client.

This suits an established self-employed upholsterer with their own van, tools and portable sewing machine, who can re-cover commercial seating and cut and machine sew on site, and who would like to increase their income with regular, well-paid commercial days alongside their own customers.

What is on offer

This is not a temporary role. It is ongoing, regular self-employed contract work, and 7 of the 13 contractors we have placed with the client are still working with them today.

• Typical earnings of £40,000 to £60,000 a year, depending on how many days you choose to work
• Competitive day rates, with enhanced rates for certain types of work (rates discussed on application, and negotiable)
• All expenses paid on top of your day rate, including materials and parking
• Ongoing, regular work, planned in blocks so you can plan ahead and fit in your own private work (or work more days for the client)
• Flexible days that fit in between your own jobs and contracts
• Invoices paid within 10 days, usually within 5 to 7 working days
• Mostly local work; on the occasional job further afield, your overnight stay, breakfast and evening meal are covered (always with advance notice)

What you'll be doing

• Commercial and contract upholstery on site across Romford, Ilford, Brentwood, Basildon, Chelmsford and Upminster: hospitality seating, fixed seating, booths, banquettes and contract furniture
• Re-covering, repairing and restoring commercial seating, including button back and deep-buttoned pieces
• Cutting and machine sewing covers on site from your own portable sewing machine
• Working to a schedule agreed with the client's operations team and reporting on completed work

What you'll need

• Time-served upholsterer who can re-cover and repair commercial seating: banquettes, booths, fixed seating, chairs and stools
• Ability to cut and machine sew on site, this is essential (an upholsterer who sews, not a machinist only)
• Button back, deep buttoning and fluting experience is a strong advantage
• Your own van, full tool kit and portable sewing machine
• Public liability insurance (minimum £10 million) or willingness to arrange it
• Full UK driving licence and a professional, reliable approach on client sites
• Based within a realistic travel distance of Romford

Ready to apply?

If you are a self-employed upholsterer around Romford who can cut and machine sew on site, with your own van, tools and sewing machine, get in touch today.

---

Closing date: 10 December 2026

Updated: 10 November 2026

To apply or find out more, contact The Talent Branch on 07792 797476 or carlos@thetalentbranch.com

Apply for this role