Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)

Average cost in Seattle

US$11,134avg

US$4,233 — US$20,000

US$3 — US$9 per sq ft

+6.5% YoY
9 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Greater Seattle

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled painting crew wages

US$6,580 — US$14,000

70%

Materials

Premium paint and supplies

US$1,100 — US$3,000

15%

Surface Preparation

Sanding, caulking, and priming

US$800 — US$2,000

10%

Overhead & Profit

Insurance, licensing, and margin

US$400 — US$1,000

5%

🧾Sales Tax (6.5%) — Washington
Base cost + $724 tax$11,858

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

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$10,455

Today

US$11,134

House Painting in Seattle is 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$680 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
★★★★★

186 reviews

🔨

KP Painter

7th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, USA

5.0
★★★★★

124 reviews

🔨

Sound Painting Solutions, LLC

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

4.9
★★★★½

511 reviews

🔨

Queen Anne Painting & Carpentry

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

4.9
★★★★½

337 reviews

🔨

Phinney Ridge Painting

922 NW Leary Wy, Seattle, WA 98107, USA

4.9
★★★★½

300 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 high humidity and frequent rain compress the exterior painting season to a tight window from June to September. This high demand during dry months can increase labor rates by 10-15% compared to off-peak interior projects.

In 2026, quality two-coat exterior repaints in Seattle typically range from $5.50 to $9.00 per square foot, significantly higher than the national average due to local labor costs and moisture-mitigation requirements.

Yes. Homes built before 1978 (common in neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Capitol Hill) require EPA Lead RRP certified contractors. Lead remediation and extensive prep for historic wood siding can add $2,000 to $8,000 to a standard estimate.

For a standard 2,000 sq ft single-family home in Seattle, homeowners should budget between $6,500 and $12,000 for a full interior project covering walls, ceilings, and trim.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 9+ 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.