Hawkeye strikes again! It's great you found this interesting chair and that it's now in your capable hands. I'm a little jealous of your (and others' here) ability to identify these gems and foresee how they will integrate into your home.
I think what 1918 is saying is that gluing the joints is within your capacity as someone who is not a professional restorer - and that you will be careful with any finish restoration or clean-up - whereas professional restorers, who are doing it as a business, will - unless you pay dearly - be expedient because time for them is money. Also, if you take a light touch with 0000 steel wool and some wax you may be satisfied with the results. If the upholstery is out of your skill set, then it makes sense to put it into the hands of someone who you feel you can trust. It sounds like the shop you're thinking of is that kind of place - they're proud of their work. Doing some of the preparation yourself will cut down on the cost by having them focus only on the upholstery, for example, or any aspect you aren't comfortable tackling yourself.
As far as questions for the restorer, I'd ask them what their process would be with restoration of this particular chair. I'd explain that you appreciate the patina of age. Their answer will tell you how careful they will be, what materials they will use (of course you don't want to hear the words "polyurethane" or "epoxy") and how much pride they will take in the result.
If that chair were mine, when it's restored I'd only let ancient 80-pound ladies sit on it!
