How to Decode Kravet Pricing: A 5-Step Procurement Checklist for Designers

If you're a designer specifying Kravet, you know the brand delivers on luxury. But budgeting for a Kravet order—whether it's yardage for a custom sofa or a roll of their performance Crypton—can sometimes feel like a guessing game. The price tag on the sample card is just the starting point.

I'm a procurement manager for a mid-sized hospitality design firm. Over the past six years, I've tracked every dollar we've spent on fabrics—hundreds of orders, including Kravet. I've built our cost tracking system from scratch. And I've learned that the difference between a project that hits its budget and one that goes into the red often comes down to how well you decode the initial quote.

This checklist is for any designer or small firm owner who wants to get the full picture of what a Kravet order will actually cost—before you get the final invoice. It's a five-step process I've refined from analyzing over 180 orders. Let's get to it.

When You Should Use This Checklist

Use this checklist every time you are writing a specification or getting a quote for Kravet products, especially for:

• Large upholstery projects (multiple yards of the same pattern).
• Orders involving multiple product types (fabric + trim + hardware).
• Specifying specialty fabrics like Kravet Smart Fabric or outdoor Sunbrella (which have different pricing structures than standard lines).
• Any project where you, the designer, are responsible for the procurement budget.

Here are the 5 steps to budget like a pro and avoid the surprise of the 'final total.'

Step 1: Deconstruct the Per-Yard Price

The first thing you see is the list price per yard. Don't just multiply it. Ask these specific questions:

1. What's the width? Kravet upholstery fabrics are typically 54" wide. But not always. A 48" wide fabric means you need more yardage to cover the same piece. Get the exact width written on your quote.
2. Is there a 'pattern repeat' surcharge? For large-scale prints or woven repeats, you might need extra yards for matching. Kravet usually doesn't apply a standard surcharge, but your vendor might not automatically factor the waste into their quote. Ask for 'cuttable width' vs. 'usable width.'
3. Is this a 'contract' or 'residential' price? Kravet has a dedicated contract line. If you're doing a commercial project (like a hotel lobby), make sure the quote is for their contract-grade fabric, which comes with different (often higher) pricing and different (often better) warranties. It's a different quote.

A quick note from experience: I once quoted a beautiful Kravet velvet for a boutique hotel. The per-yard price looked perfect. I forgot to check the width. It was a special order 60" width, which meant less yardage needed—but the per-yard price didn't factor that in. Ended up saving 12% overall. A win, but I learned to ask upfront.

Step 2: Identify the Hidden 'Feature' Costs

This is where most budgets go off track. Kravet's different product lines carry their own expenses. This is the step most people overlook.

1. Performance finishes: If you're sourcing Kravet Smart Fabric or another Crypton finish, the price includes the treatment. But if you're buying a standard fabric and then sending it out for a stain-resistant finish (like with a third-party applicator), add $8–$15 per yard to your cost. A Kravet Smart Fabric quote is all-inclusive. A standard Kravet fabric quote is not. Know the difference.
2. Backing and lining: For drapery, do you need a separate lining? Kravet sells its own linings (e.g., Kravet Blackout Lining). They are sourced and priced separately. For upholstery, a fabric without a backing might need a separate scrim or interlining for a commercial project. Add that cost per yard.
3. Trims and passementerie: This is a classic hidden cost trap. The fabric is 10 yards at $80/yard. The trim you fell in love with is $45/yard. To finish a 10-yard sofa, you might need 30+ yards of trim. The trim can cost more than the fabric. Get the trim quote at the same time as the fabric quote. Don't ask for one without the other.

Step 3: Confirm the Lead Time and Shipping Method

A rushed order is an expensive order. Don't assume standard ground shipping.

1. What is the lead time? Kravet's standard lead time for stocked goods is 1–2 weeks. Custom orders (like a special colorway) can be 8–12 weeks. A short lead time request can trigger a rush fee.
2. How is it shipping? Fabric rolls are heavy. They ship freight or via UPS/FedEx Ground. For a single roll, it's often a flat rate. But for 5+ rolls, it shifts to freight—which often has a mandatory liftgate fee if delivered to a non-loading-dock site (like a design studio). Always ask: "Is this quote with 'liftgate delivery' included?"

Look, I'm not a logistics expert, so I can't speak to carrier optimization. What I can tell you from a procurement perspective is that a freight bill with a liftgate surcharge can be $75–$150. A small cost on a large order, but a massive percentage of a small one. Annoying.

Step 4: The 'Small Order' Reality Check

Here's where I have a strong opinion. If you are a small designer ordering 5 yards of a fabric and a few samples, you are often treated like a nuisance. The pricing can feel arbitrary. Let me share my insight: the vendors who treated my $200 orders seriously are the ones I still use for $20,000 orders.

For Kravet, there is no standard minimum yardage for in-stock fabrics. You can order by the yard. But watch out for these small-order surcharges that some dealers add:

1. Cutting fee: Some vendors charge a fee per cut (< $10–$25) for small orders. Ask before you place the order.
2. Sample fee: Kravet memos are usually free, but some vendors will charge for large sample cuts (e.g., 1-yard memos for specific projects).
3. Credit card surcharge: Many small design firms pay by credit card. Some vendors pass along the 2–3% fee. Ask if there is a discount for paying via Net 30.

Small doesn't mean unimportant. It means potential. I only believed this after ignoring it and losing a client who felt nickel-and-dimed on a 10-yard order. Never again.

Step 5: Build Your 'Total Cost' Calculator

After 6 years of tracking invoices, I've found that 40% of our budget overruns came from underestimating these 'hidden' add-ons. I built a simple spreadsheet. Here's what it tracks:

• Line item: Fabric A (10 yards @ $80/yard)
• Line item: Trim B (30 yards @ $45/yard)
• Line item: Backing C
• Line item: Shipping (with liftgate)
• Line item: Cutting fee (if applicable)
• Total: $2,650

That's your real price. Compare that to a different trim that's $30/yard. The total changes by $450. That's a real decision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming all 'Kravet' is the same. Kravet Smart Fabric is a specific product. Kravet outdoor fabric is different. Performance fabric is not the same as contract grade. Don't mix them up in your budget.
• Forgetting the 'waste' factor. For a print with a 27" repeat, you need 20% more fabric. Add that to your yardage calculation before you get the final quote.
• Not asking, 'What else?' I always ask: "Is there anything else that would add to this price?" The direct response often reveals the hidden fees.

Disclaimer: Prices are for general reference only and are based on my own procurement experience. Actual costs vary by vendor, location, and time of order. Verify current pricing with your Kravet dealer or on Kravet.com.