Home Calculators Respray vs replace
Respray vs replace vs DIY: cost comparison
Enter your number of doors and drawer fronts, the material and condition. See typical 2026 price ranges and time for five routes, side by side.
Typical 2026 cost ranges
Results appear here as you type.
How this is calculated
All prices are typical 2026 UK ranges in pounds, rounded to the nearest £10, built from published cost guides and trade price lists checked in October and November 2026. Some sources include VAT and some exclude it, so treat the figures as a budget guide, not a quote.
| Route | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Professional respray | Larger of £650 or n × £45 | Larger of £1,000 or n × £85 |
| Add carcasses (pro) | + £400 | + £800 |
| DIY spray | 0.3 L per front × £22/L, + £70 + £1.50 per front consumables, + £80 sprayer | 0.3 L per front × £42/L, + £150 + £3 per front, + £300 sprayer |
| DIY brush and roller | 0.22 L per front × £22/L + £50 + £1.50 per front | 0.22 L per front × £42/L + £110 + £3 per front |
| New doors, fitted | n × £50 + £250 | n × £140 |
| Full new kitchen, fitted | £4,000 + n × £150 | £8,000 + n × £450 |
Adjustments. Professional prices are multiplied by a material factor (MDF 1.0, timber 1.05, laminate 1.15, oak 1.2, firm vinyl 1.1, peeling vinyl 1.3) and a condition factor (1.0, 1.1 or 1.25). DIY paint quantities rise by up to 25% for surfaces that need extra priming. London and the South East multiply professional, new-door and new-kitchen figures by 1.2. DIY hours rise with condition because prep takes longer.
Worked example
20 MDF fronts in sound condition, outside London, no sprayer owned. Professional: 20 × £45 = £900 to 20 × £85 = £1,700. DIY spray: 6 L of paint at £22 to £42 = £132 to £252, plus consumables £100 to £210, plus sprayer £80 to £300, giving £310 to £760. New doors: £1,250 to £2,800. Full kitchen: £7,000 to £17,000.
What it leaves out
- Worktops, appliances, plumbing, electrics and flooring, which can double the cost of a full new kitchen.
- New handles and hinges, typically £3 to £20 per handle.
- The value of your own time. DIY is cheaper in money, not in hours.
Read more in kitchen respraying cost, or count paint with the paint calculator.