Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)

Average cost in Seattle

US$9,285avg

US$4,800 — US$25,000

US$4 — US$8 per sq ft

+4.2% YoY
7 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Greater Seattle

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional painting crews and supervision

US$3,600 — US$18,750

75%

Materials

Premium paint, primer, and sundries

US$576 — US$3,000

12%

Surface Prep

Power washing, scraping, and caulking

US$384 — US$2,000

8%

Equipment

Scaffolding, lifts, and sprayers

US$144 — US$750

3%

Permits & Disposal

Waste management and local fees

US$96 — US$500

2%

🧾Sales Tax (6.5%) — Washington
Base cost + $604 tax$9,889

Sales Tax at 6.5%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Interior or exterior paint (2 coats)
  • Primer
  • Surface preparation (sanding, patching)
  • Trim painting
  • Masking & protection
  • Cleanup

Typically Excludes

  • Wallpaper removal
  • Extensive repairs (drywall, siding)
  • Lead paint abatement
  • Specialty finishes (faux, texture)
  • Deck or fence staining

Based on painting a standard 1,500 sq ft home exterior or 3-4 rooms interior.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$4,950

US$3,960 — US$5,940

Based on 7 sources and market data for Seattle. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$8,911

Today

US$9,285

House Painting in Seattle is 4.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$374 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Painting Contractors in Seattle

Verified providers
🔨

Tera Painting

1107 N 98th St, Seattle, WA 98103, USA

5.0
★★★★★

164 reviews

🔨

KP Painter

7th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, USA

5.0
★★★★★

121 reviews

🔨

Sound Painting Solutions, LLC

5215 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA

4.9
★★★★½

485 reviews

🔨

Queen Anne Painting & Carpentry

4200 24th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98199, USA

4.9
★★★★½

327 reviews

🔨

Phinney Ridge Painting

922 NW Leary Wy, Seattle, WA 98107, USA

4.9
★★★★½

275 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Seattle's labor rates are approximately 43-50% higher than the national average. Additionally, the damp climate requires extensive moisture remediation and high-quality, mildew-resistant paints that cost $60-$90 per gallon.

For a full-service professional repaint of a 2,000 sq ft home, homeowners should expect to pay between $8,000 and $18,000. Budget contractors may quote as low as $4,500, but this often excludes necessary prep work.

Painting a two-story or three-story home typically increases the total cost by 30% to 50% due to the additional labor time and specialized equipment like scaffolding or aerial lifts required for safety.

In 2026, interior painting costs range from $3.00 to $6.00 per square foot. Including trim, ceilings, and doors can push the price toward the higher end of $7.00+ per square foot.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 3 days ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.