Getting stuck with that tired white plastic front door? Here's the thing - you don't have to live with it forever. UPVC spray painting has exploded in popularity over the past three years, with Google searches rising over 30%. And for good reason.
We're going to break down exactly what it costs to spray UPVC doors, why it beats replacement every time, and how to get the best bang for your buck. No fluff, no "it depends" - just real numbers from real jobs.
Let's cut to the chase. Professional UPVC spraying costs between £150–£250 per door. That's the sweet spot where you get quality work without getting ripped off.
Here's what drives those numbers:
Labour costs make up 60-70% of your bill. A skilled sprayer needs 2-4 hours to prep, mask, spray, and cure your door properly. At £40-60 per hour (standard rates across the UK), you're looking at £80-240 just for the person doing the work.
Materials add another £30-50. We're talking specialist UPVC paint, primer, cleaning solutions, masking tape, and protective sheets. Quality materials matter here - cheap paint peels within months.
Equipment costs get factored into the price too. Professional spray guns, compressors, and safety gear don't come free. Most contractors spread these costs across jobs.
The average price across multiple sources (Checkatrade, Rated People, MyBuilder) lands at £190 per door. That's what most homeowners actually pay when they shop around.
Think you can save money doing it yourself? Let's run the numbers.
DIY costs breakdown:
Total: £50-100 for materials and tools.
Sounds tempting, right? But here's what they don't tell you. Getting a professional finish without drips, patches, or overspray takes serious skill. Most DIY jobs end up looking exactly like what they are - amateur work.
We've seen countless botched DIY attempts that cost more to fix than hiring a professional from the start. One customer spent £80 on materials, ruined their door, then paid us £300 to strip it back and do it properly.
Professional spraying gives you that factory-fresh finish that lasts. Most spray jobs come with 5-10 year guarantees covering peeling, cracking, and colour fade. Try getting that warranty on your DIY effort.
Not all doors cost the same to spray. Here's what pushes the price up or down:
Door size matters. Standard doors (2m x 0.8m) hit that £150-250 range. Oversized or custom doors add 20-40% to the cost. Double doors? You're looking at £280-450 for both.
Condition of your existing door impacts prep time. Smooth, clean UPVC gets sprayed quickly. Damaged, weathered, or previously painted surfaces need extra work. Deep scratches, cracks, or old paint removal can add £50-100 to the job.
Colour choice affects cost slightly. Standard colours (white, black, grey) cost the same. Specialist colours or metallic finishes might add £20-30. Custom colour matching pushes costs up further.
Access and location play a role too. Ground floor front doors are straightforward. Upper floor doors, awkward access, or doors requiring scaffolding add complexity and cost.
Additional features like decorative glass panels, complex hardware, or side panels increase spraying time and material usage.
This is where UPVC spraying becomes a no-brainer. Spraying costs around 70% less than replacement.
Replacement costs:
Total replacement cost: £600-1,600
Compare that to £150-250 for spraying. The savings are massive.
But here's the kicker - a freshly sprayed door in a stylish colour can add up to £4,000 in perceived property value. Estate agents consistently tell us that first impressions matter. Your front door sets the tone for the whole house.
Homeowners recoup up to 80% of their UPVC spraying cost at resale. That's better than most home improvements.
The most popular colours for UPVC door spraying tell a story about British taste:
These standard colours don't affect pricing. They're readily available and contractors stock them regularly.
Custom colours or colour matching add £20-50 to your bill. Metallic finishes cost extra because they need special base coats and techniques.
UPVC spraying costs vary by location, just like everything else.
London and South East: £180-280 per door Northern England: £130-220 per door
Scotland and Wales: £140-230 per door Midlands: £150-240 per door
These differences reflect local labour costs, competition levels, and demand. London's higher costs come from expensive overheads and strong demand. Northern regions offer better value while maintaining quality standards.
Rural areas sometimes see higher prices due to limited competition and travel costs. Urban areas with multiple contractors tend to have competitive pricing.
Most quotes cover the basics, but watch for these potential extras:
Door furniture removal and refitting: £20-40 if your handles, locks, or letterbox need removing for proper coverage.
Frame spraying: Many quotes cover just the door panel. Adding the frame costs £50-80 extra but gives a complete transformation.
Multiple colour schemes: Want the door one colour and frame another? Add 30-50% to the base price.
Urgent or weekend work: Rush jobs or weekend spraying typically costs 20-30% more.
Access equipment: If scaffolding or special access gear is needed, expect £50-150 extra.
Repair work: Fixing damage before spraying isn't usually included in basic quotes.
Professional UPVC spray coatings last 10-15 years with proper application. The paint is UV-stable, flexible, and weather-resistant. It's engineered to bond with plastic surfaces and flex with seasonal temperature changes.
Quality matters here. Cheap spray jobs might look good initially but fade, peel, or crack within 2-3 years. Professional coatings resist these issues.
Most reputable contractors offer 5-10 year guarantees covering colour fade, peeling, and cracking. That's confidence in their work and materials.
A proper UPVC door spraying job includes several steps—knowing how to paint a uPVC door ensures you get a smooth, long-lasting finish every time.
Surface preparation: Deep cleaning, light sanding, and treating any imperfections. This determines how well the paint adheres.
Masking and protection: Careful masking of glass, surrounding walls, and fixtures. Professional sprayers use high-quality materials that prevent paint bleed.
Primer application: Specialist adhesion primer designed for UPVC surfaces. This is crucial for long-term durability.
Multiple coat application: Usually 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick layer. This prevents runs and ensures even coverage.
Quality checks: Professional sprayers inspect their work, touching up any imperfections before considering the job complete.
Clean-up: Removal of masking materials and proper disposal of waste.
The actual spraying takes 2-4 hours, but timing depends on weather and curing requirements.
Best conditions: Dry weather, temperatures between 10-25°C, low humidity. Spring and summer offer ideal spraying conditions.
Curing time: Most professional sprays cure within 24 hours. Full hardness develops over 5-7 days.
Weather delays: Rain, high humidity, or extreme temperatures can postpone spraying. Professional contractors won't spray in poor conditions because it affects quality.
Seasonal demand: Spring and summer see higher demand and potentially longer wait times. Book early for peak season work.
Over 80% of UK homes have UPVC or composite doors. That's millions of properties discovering this smart alternative to replacement.
Professional spraying delivers results DIY can't match. The equipment alone makes the difference - professional spray guns create even, smooth finishes that brush or roller application never achieves.
Experience matters too. Knowing how much paint to apply, the right spray patterns, and how environmental conditions affect results comes from hundreds of completed jobs.
Most importantly, professional work comes guaranteed. When something goes wrong with DIY, you start over. When professional work fails, they fix it at no cost.
Spraying is the greener option. No landfill waste, no door manufacturing emissions, no transportation of heavy replacement doors. You're giving new life to what you already have.
The environmental impact comparison is stark:
Modern UPVC spray paints are water-based and low-VOC. They're safer for your family and better for the environment than older solvent-based options.
Shopping for quotes? Here's how to compare properly:
Get at least three quotes from different contractors. This shows you the market rate and helps identify unusually high or low prices.
Ask what's included. Some quotes cover just the door panel, others include frames, preparation, and cleanup. Compare like-for-like.
Check credentials. Look for insurance, certifications, and examples of previous work. UPVC spraying requires specific skills and materials.
Understand guarantees. What's covered, for how long, and what voids the warranty. Get this in writing.
Ask about timing. When can they start, how long will it take, what happens if weather delays the work?
Watch out for these warning signs:
Quotes significantly below market rate often mean corner-cutting on materials or preparation. Quality UPVC paint isn't cheap.
Door-to-door sellers offering immediate starts at "special prices" are usually cowboys. Professional contractors are booked weeks in advance.
No written guarantee or vague warranty terms. Reputable contractors stand behind their work with clear, written guarantees.
Pressure to decide immediately. Good contractors don't need high-pressure sales tactics.
No insurance or credentials. Never hire uninsured contractors. Check their coverage covers your property.
Ready to transform your front door? We've sprayed thousands of UPVC doors across the UK, delivering professional results that last.
Our process is straightforward:
Don't settle for that tired old door when transformation costs less than you think. Contact The Spraying Team today for your free quote and see how affordable professional UPVC door spraying really is.
Your front door is the first thing people see. Make it count.
