House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)
Average cost in Seattle
$4,233 – $20,000
$3 – $9 per sq ft
In Seattle, the average is $11,134 and most projects cost between $4,233 and $20,000, or about $3 – $9 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 9 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled painting crew wages
70%
Premium paint and supplies
15%
Sanding, caulking, and priming
10%
Insurance, licensing, and margin
5%
Sales Tax at 6.5%
📋What's Included
ScopeTypically 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 project
LiveYour estimate in Seattle
Likely range $5,010 – $19,999
- Labor70%$7,794
- Materials15%$1,670
- Surface Preparation10%$1,113
- Overhead & Profit5%$557
Interior only
$11,134
Exterior only
$15,588
Interior + Exterior
$24,495
Calibrated to 9 researched sources for Seattle. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$10,455
Today
$11,134
House Painting in Seattle is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about $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 providersSound Painting Solutions, LLC
5215 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
524 reviews
Queen Anne Painting & Carpentry
4200 24th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98199, USA
343 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 dataAggregated from 9+ verified web sources and cost databases
Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides
Government construction and labor statistics
Community-reported project costs and reviews
Last data collection: 1 months 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.