Exterior house painting cost in Seattle (2026):
prices by size, height and siding
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PAINT A HOUSE EXTERIOR IN SEATTLE?
Angi puts exterior house painting in Seattle at $2,912 to $5,748, with an average of $4,305, or $2 to $5.45 per square foot of paintable surface. Two-story homes can cost up to 50% more than one-story homes, and labor is 80% to 95% of the price. On a home built before 1978, a contractor who disturbs more than 20 square feet of outside paint must be lead-safe (RRP) certified.
Exterior painting cost in Seattle
| Seattle (Angi) | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $2,912–$5,748 |
| Average | $4,305 |
| Low end / high end | about $1,200 / $8,786 |
| Per square foot | $2–$5.45 |
| Labor | 80%–95% of the total; $30–$140 per hour per painter |
Cost by size and number of stories
| Paintable area | Reported cost | With 10.55% sales tax |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,000–$5,450 | $2,211–$6,025 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000–$8,150 | $3,317–$9,010 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,050–$10,850 | $4,477–$11,995 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $5,050–$13,600 | $5,583–$15,035 |
| Stories | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| One story | $2,000–$4,750 |
| Two stories | $4,050–$8,450 |
| Three stories | $6,050–$13,600 |
Cost by siding type
| Siding | Per square foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $1.35–$4.10 |
| Vinyl | $1.65–$4.10 |
| Fiber cement | $1.60–$4.35 |
| Stucco | $2–$5.45 |
| Brick | $2–$6.10 |
Prep and extras
| Item | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Paint stripping (poor old paint) | $0.65–$2.75 per sq ft |
| Trim | about $2.70 per linear ft |
| Soffit and fascia | $3.35–$8.15 per linear ft |
| Exterior door | $200–$680 each |
| Garage | $2,000–$4,100 |
| Deck | about $1,320 |
Older homes: lead-safe rules
- Pre-1978 homes. The Washington Department of Commerce says paid work on residential property built before 1978 must be done by an RRP Certified Renovator with a firm certification, or by a certified firm.
- The exterior threshold. Under WAC 365-230-310, disturbing 20 square feet or less of painted surface outside is minor repair; scraping a whole house is far above that.
- Details and testing costs: lead paint rules for older homes.
Before you sign
- Get the areas, prep, primer, number of coats and paint brand in writing.
- For a pre-1978 home, ask for the firm's RRP certification.
- Check the contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool, and keep the first payment small: see contractor down payments.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior in Seattle?
Angi puts exterior painting in Seattle at $2,912 to $5,748, with an average of $4,305, or $2 to $5.45 per square foot of paintable surface. Sales tax of 10.55% applies to the contract.
How much does it cost to paint a two-story house in Seattle?
Angi lists $4,050 to $8,450 for a two-story home in Seattle, and says two-story homes can cost up to 50% more than one-story homes.
Why is exterior painting so expensive?
Mostly labor: Angi says labor is 80% to 95% of the total. Height adds surcharges, and paint in poor condition may need stripping at $0.65 to $2.75 per square foot.
Does a painter need lead certification in Washington?
Yes, for paid work that disturbs more than 20 square feet of exterior paint on a home built before 1978. The firm must be RRP-certified through the Department of Commerce.
How much does it cost to paint trim and soffits?
Angi lists trim at about $2.70 per linear foot and soffit and fascia at $3.35 to $8.15 per linear foot in Seattle.
Other outdoor work: exterior and yard cost guides.
About these prices. The ranges are published estimates from the sources below, as of the dates shown. Material costs, labor rates, tariffs and inflation can change prices after those dates, and your home may differ. Use them to plan a budget, then get written quotes from licensed contractors.
Sources
- Angi — Exterior house painting cost in Seattle, WA
- Washington Department of Commerce — Lead-based paint and WAC 365-230-310
- Washington Department of Revenue — Custom construction
All sources accessed November 10, 2026.
This guide summarizes published cost estimates and Washington rules. Get written quotes from licensed, bonded painting contractors. See our disclosure and disclaimer.