Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)

Average cost in Seattle

US$11,525avg

US$4,200 — US$28,500

US$3 — US$9 per sq ft

+6.5% YoY
12 sources
Updated 2 weeks ago
Greater Seattle

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional painting hours and expertise

US$3,150 — US$21,375

75%

Materials & Supplies

Premium paint, primers, and sundries

US$630 — US$4,275

15%

Surface Preparation

Power washing, scraping, and caulking

US$294 — US$1,995

7%

Equipment & Disposal

Scaffolding, sprayers, and waste fees

US$126 — US$855

3%

🧾Sales Tax (6.5%) — Washington
Base cost + $749 tax$12,274

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

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$10,821

Today

US$11,525

House Painting in Seattle is 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$703 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
★★★★★

174 reviews

🔨

KP Painter

7th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, USA

5.0
★★★★★

123 reviews

🔨

Sound Painting Solutions, LLC

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

4.9
★★★★½

503 reviews

🔨

Queen Anne Painting & Carpentry

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

4.9
★★★★½

331 reviews

🔨

Phinney Ridge Painting

922 NW Leary Wy, Seattle, WA 98107, USA

4.9
★★★★½

296 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

For a 2,000 sq ft home, a full exterior repaint typically ranges from $8,000 to $14,000, while a full interior project costs between $4,500 and $12,000. These prices reflect Seattle's high labor rates and the extensive prep work required for the local climate.

Seattle costs are roughly 20-40% higher due to a high cost of living impacting labor rates ($60-$90/hr) and the Pacific Northwest's damp climate, which necessitates specialized moisture remediation, moss treatment, and premium elastomeric caulking.

The optimal window is mid-May through mid-September. Outside of these months, frequent rain and high humidity prevent proper paint curing. Scheduling during the 'off-peak' winter months for interior work can sometimes yield a 10-15% discount.

Interior painting in Seattle currently yields a high return on investment, estimated between 100% and 107%, making it one of the most cost-effective upgrades for homeowners preparing to sell.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 6+ 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: 2 weeks 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.