The short answer
It depends on the condition of your units. Spray painting typically costs around £900–£3,000+ and is usually around a quarter to a third of the price of a new kitchen, which often runs from £8,000–£10,000+ fitted. A respray is also much quicker, frequently finished in a few days rather than the weeks a full refit can take, with far less mess. The catch is that respraying only refreshes what you already have — if the carcasses, hinges or worktops are failing, or you want a different layout, a new kitchen is the better answer. If the units are structurally sound and you mainly want a fresh colour and finish, a respray usually wins on cost and disruption.
The decision is really about condition and goals. If the bones of the kitchen are good, a respray refreshes it for a fraction of the price. If they are not, replacing is worth the extra. Here is how the two compare.
At a glance
- Respray cost~£900–£3,000+
- New kitchen (fitted)~£8,000–£10,000+
- Respray timeoften a few days
- New kitchen timeoften weeks
- Best for respraysound units, dated look
How they compare
A respray keeps your existing carcasses, hinges and layout and changes the colour and finish of the doors and frames — so it is cheaper, faster and far less disruptive, but it cannot fix a worn-out structure or a layout you have outgrown. Replacing gives you new units, the chance to change the layout, and a longer expected life, but at several times the cost and with a much longer, messier job. The right choice depends on whether your complaint is the look of the kitchen or the kitchen itself.
| Factor | Respray | New kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | ~£900–£3,000+ | ~£8,000–£10,000+ fitted |
| Time on site | often a few days | often weeks |
| Disruption | low to moderate | high |
| Changes layout | no | yes |
| Best when | units are sound, look is dated | units worn or layout wrong |
General comparison for guidance. Figures depend on size, finish and specification. Sources: trade cost guides.
When replacing is the better call
- Failing carcasses or hinges: a respray refreshes the surface, not the structure, so worn units are better replaced.
- Wrong layout: if you want to move units, change the run or add an island, that is a refit, not a respray.
- Damaged worktops: respraying doors does not renew worktops, so budget for those separately if they are tired.
- Sound units, dated colour: this is the classic respray case — keep what works and change how it looks.
Not sure whether to respray or replace?
We'll match you with a vetted kitchen spray-painting specialist who looks at the condition of your units and tells you honestly whether a respray makes sense or a new kitchen is the better value.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to respray or replace a kitchen?
Respraying is usually much cheaper — typically around £900–£3,000+ against £8,000–£10,000+ for a new fitted kitchen, often around a quarter to a third of the price. It is the better value when the units are structurally sound and you mainly want a new look.
When is a new kitchen better than a respray?
When the carcasses, hinges or worktops are failing, or you want to change the layout. A respray refreshes the surface of what you already have, so it cannot fix a worn-out structure or move units around.
How much quicker is a respray than a new kitchen?
A respray is often finished in a few days with limited disruption, whereas a full kitchen replacement can take weeks. The shorter timescale and lower mess are part of the appeal of respraying.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific kitchen. They are guidance, not a quotation.