Respraying by the Numbers: Costs, Timescales and Cladding Projects

Respraying uPVC windows, doors and commercial cladding is far cheaper than replacing them, but how much cheaper, and how long does the work take? Here are the figures worth knowing before you get quotes, and a few simple charts that make the decision easier.

Cost: respray versus replace

New uPVC windows for an ordinary three-bedroom semi can cost several thousand pounds. If the frames still open, close and seal properly, most of that money buys only a new colour. Respraying is priced per item, so it is easy to compare:

• Windows: priced per window, with some sprayers starting from around £75
• Front doors: usually priced separately, as there is more detail to mask and spray
• Garage doors, fascias and conservatories: quoted on size and condition

For example, uPVC window spraying in Derby starts from £75 a window and around £160 for a front door, a small fraction of the cost of replacement.

Time: days, not weeks

• Most homes: windows and doors sprayed on site in a day or two
• Drying: touch dry quickly, with the finish continuing to harden over the following days
• Commercial units: often phased or done out of hours to keep the business open

Travel is rarely a barrier either. Grantham spray painters who also cover the wider East Midlands can usually fit homes and businesses into the same schedule.

Scale: cladding by the square metre

Commercial jobs are measured differently. Warehouse and industrial cladding is usually quoted by area, with access equipment, surface condition and preparation making up a large part of the price. Respraying sound panels avoids the cost and disruption of replacement, and warehouse cladding spraying can usually be completed while the building stays in use.

Three charts worth drawing

• Bar chart: the cost of respraying against replacing, item by item
• Timeline: days on site for a respray compared with weeks for ordering and fitting new frames
• Colour board: photos of your house or unit with two or three colour options side by side

Laid out side by side, the numbers usually make the case for respraying clear. For more on charting home improvement costs, see our home improvements category.