How Much Does a Kitchen Respray Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Real 2026 UK prices for a professional kitchen respray — per door, per kitchen size, and how it compares to a full replacement.
Typical kitchen respray cost in 2026
A professional kitchen respray in the UK typically costs £600–£1,800 for the full kitchen, depending on size, colour and condition. Most average-sized family kitchens land between £900 and £1,300 — finished to a factory-grade 2K polyurethane finish with a written 10-year guarantee.
That's a fraction of the £6,000–£15,000 you'd spend on a like-for-like replacement, and the visual result is almost identical when the carcasses, hinges and layout are still sound.
If you'd rather just send us photos and get an exact figure, our kitchen cabinet spraying page explains how the free quote works.
Kitchen respray prices by size (2026)
These are realistic UK ranges for a professional spray with full prep, 2K polyurethane top-coats and a 10-year guarantee. Quotes far below the lower end usually skip prep or use aerosol paint — both fail within 12–18 months.
Small galley kitchen (8–10 doors, no island): £600–£900
Medium kitchen (15–20 doors, drawers, end panels): £900–£1,300
Large kitchen (25+ doors with island and pantry): £1,300–£1,800
Kitchen + matching utility room: add £250–£450
Worktops, splashbacks or appliance fronts: quoted separately, typically £150–£400 each
What changes the price
Number of doors and drawers is the biggest factor. The first few items absorb mobilisation and masking time; each additional door is far cheaper, which is why whole-kitchen prices work out at roughly £40–£70 per door.
Colour choice matters less than people expect. Standard whites, off-whites, sage greens and anthracites are quickest. Bespoke colour matches add roughly £60–£120 for the custom mix.
Substrate is the last big variable. Vinyl-wrapped MDF, solid timber, painted MDF and high-gloss acrylic all respray beautifully with the right primer. Peeling vinyl wraps need an extra prep step (about £8–£15 per door) but the result lasts as long as everything else.
Kitchen respray vs new kitchen — the real numbers
A budget flat-pack replacement kitchen installed in the UK starts around £6,000. A mid-range fitted kitchen with quartz worktops sits at £10,000–£15,000. Premium handmade kitchens routinely run £20,000+.
A respray of the same kitchen is typically £900–£1,300 — under 15% of even the cheapest replacement. You keep the layout, the worktops, the appliances and the carcasses you've already paid for, and change the only thing most people actually wanted to change: the colour.
Spraying makes sense when your layout still works and the carcasses are sound. Replacement makes sense when doors are swelling, hinges are failing across the run, or the kitchen no longer suits how you live.
How long does a kitchen respray take?
Most kitchens are completed in 2–3 days on-site. Day one is masking, removal of doors and drawer fronts, and prep. Day two is primer and top-coats. Day three is reassembly, touch-ups and clean-down.
You can use the kitchen normally between days — we work around you and seal off the spray area. Sprayed doors are touch-dry within an hour and fully cured within 7 days; you can open and close them gently from the next day.
Hidden costs to watch for
Aerosol or trade-emulsion finishes. Some quotes are suspiciously cheap because they're using rattle-can or wall paint. Both look fine for a season then chip around handles within months. Ask which 2K system is being used — Sika, Adler, Tikkurila and Mipa are reputable.
'Touch-up' prep. Doors must be degreased, abraded and primed with the right adhesion promoter. Quotes that mention only 'wiping down' won't last.
No written guarantee. A verbal guarantee is no guarantee. Always get it on the invoice.
Excluding drawer fronts or end panels. Confirm in writing exactly what's in scope so there are no surprise extras.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum charge? Yes — our minimum kitchen job is £600. Below that, mobilisation makes the per-door price uneconomic for both sides.
Do you spray in-situ or take doors away? Both. Doors and drawer fronts are usually sprayed off-site in a controlled booth for the best finish; carcasses, end panels and fixed elements are sprayed in place with full masking.
Can you respray a high-gloss kitchen? Yes. High-gloss acrylic and foiled doors take a spray finish perfectly with the right primer — including a return to high-gloss if that's what you want.
Will it add value to my house? A tidy, modern-coloured kitchen is one of the strongest visual upgrades for resale. Estate agents we work with estimate a respray adds £4,000–£10,000 to perceived value on a typical family home — many times the cost of the work.
Does it smell? Modern 2K systems are low-odour and we use extraction. Most clients are surprised how little smell remains by the end of day one.
