House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)
Average cost in Seattle
US$3,200 — US$15,500
US$3 — US$8 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional painting and application
78%
Premium PNW-grade paint and primer
14%
Power washing, scraping, and caulking
6%
Scaffolding, waste disposal, and insurance
2%
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 Cost
InteractiveEstimated Cost
US$3,960 — US$5,940
Based on 8 sources and market data for Seattle. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
🏢Top Painting Contractors in Seattle
Verified providersSound Painting Solutions, LLC
5215 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
482 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
No, the City of Seattle does not typically require a permit for standard interior or exterior house painting projects, provided no structural changes are made.
Seattle's high humidity and rain limit the 'painting window' to late spring through early fall. Contractors often charge a premium for peak summer slots, while moisture-resistant paints like Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint, which cost $65–$80 per gallon, are required to prevent mildew.
Professional painters in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area currently charge between $60 and $90 per hour, reflecting a local cost of living that is approximately 43% higher than the national average.
Painting a two-story home in Seattle typically increases labor and equipment costs by 30% to 50% compared to a single-story rambler, due to the need for scaffolding and increased safety prep.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 5+ 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: today. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.