Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Seattle (2026)

Average cost in Seattle

US$9,366avg

US$4,200 — US$18,500

US$3 — US$9 per sq ft

+5.2% YoY
9 sources
Updated 4 days ago
Greater Seattle

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional painting and application

US$3,024 — US$13,320

72%

Materials

Premium paint and primer (6-10 gallons)

US$630 — US$2,775

15%

Surface Prep

Pressure washing, scraping, and caulking

US$420 — US$1,850

10%

Equipment & Supplies

Scaffolding, tape, and drop cloths

US$126 — US$555

3%

🧾Sales Tax (6.5%) — Washington
Base cost + $609 tax$9,975

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$8,903

Today

US$9,366

House Painting in Seattle is 5.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$463 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
★★★★★

169 reviews

🔨

KP Painter

7th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, USA

5.0
★★★★★

122 reviews

🔨

Sound Painting Solutions, LLC

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

4.9
★★★★½

495 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

282 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 standard 2,000 sq ft home, exterior painting typically ranges from $5,800 to $9,200, while a full interior repaint averages between $4,200 and $7,000 depending on the number of rooms and trim detail.

Professional painters in the Seattle metro area currently charge between $60 and $90 per hour, reflecting the city's high cost of living and prevailing wage requirements.

Seattle's damp climate limits the painting window to mid-May through mid-September. Moisture remediation and specialized primers can add $500 to $2,500 to a project to ensure the paint adheres to cedar or wood siding.

Yes, homes built before 1978 often require EPA Lead RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) certification for safe lead paint removal, which can add $2,000 to $5,000 to the total project cost.

📊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: 4 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.