How Much Does Painting Cost
in Seattle in 2026?
Real pricing from a licensed Seattle-area contractor — interior, exterior, cabinets. Written estimates, no surprises.
Get Free Estimate (425) 287-3619
Quick Answer: What Does Painting Cost in Seattle?
Interior painting: $350–$620 per room, or $4,500–$9,500 for a full home. Exterior painting: $4,500–$18,000 depending on size and siding type. Cabinet painting: $2,400–$5,500. Pre-1978 homes add $400–$900 for EPA RRP lead-safe process. All Pizoni Painting prices include paint, prep, two coats, and cleanup.
Interior Painting Costs in Seattle
Single Room
- Walls + ceiling + trim
- Two coats premium paint
- Minor patching included
- Same-day or next-day
Full Home Interior
- All rooms, halls, stairwell
- Ceilings, walls, trim
- Patch & prime included
- 2–4 day project
Cabinet Painting
- All doors & drawer fronts
- Thorough degreasing
- Water-based alkyd enamel
- Hardware reinstalled
Interior Painting Cost by Room — Seattle 2026
| Room | Size | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 10×12 to 12×14 | $350–$520 | Walls + ceiling + trim |
| Living Room | 14×18 to 18×22 | $480–$680 | Higher ceilings add cost |
| Kitchen | 12×14 | $420–$620 | Backsplash area extra |
| Bathroom | 5×8 to 8×10 | $280–$420 | Mold-resistant paint recommended |
| Hallway + Stairwell | varies | $380–$650 | Hard-to-reach areas factor in |
| Accent Wall Only | one wall | $180–$320 | Premium for wallpaper removal |
Why Seattle Interior Prices Are Higher Than National Averages
National guides quote $2–$4 per square foot. Seattle labor costs run 25–35% above national average. Older Seattle homes (Capitol Hill, Wallingford, Fremont, Ballard) often need additional prep — plaster patching, tannin-blocking primer on cedar walls, lead paint containment — that adds time and cost not reflected in per-square-foot estimates. A written itemized quote is the only reliable way to price your specific project.
Exterior Painting Costs in Seattle
| Home Size | Budget Estimate | Full-Service (Pizoni) | Victorian/Complex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,200 sq ft | $3,500–$5,500 | $5,500–$8,500 | $7,000–$11,000 |
| 1,200–1,800 sq ft | $4,500–$7,500 | $7,000–$11,000 | $10,000–$16,000 |
| 1,800–2,500 sq ft | $6,000–$9,500 | $9,000–$14,000 | $13,000–$19,000 |
| Over 2,500 sq ft | $8,000–$13,000 | $12,000–$18,000 | $17,000–$26,000+ |
Full-service exterior painting includes: pressure washing, scraping loose paint, caulking gaps and cracks, primer coat on bare wood, two finish coats, and full cleanup. The Victorian/Complex column applies to homes with intricate trim, corbels, multiple paint colors, or significant wood rot repair.
The Seattle-Specific Factor: Cedar Siding
Many pre-1960 Seattle homes have original cedar lap siding. Cedar bleeds tannins through latex primer — without an oil-based or shellac primer as a first coat, you'll see brown staining through the topcoat within one wet season. Proper cedar prep adds $300–$700 to the job but is the difference between paint that lasts 8–12 years and paint that fails in 2–3.
EPA RRP Surcharge: What Seattle Homeowners Need to Know
If your home was built before 1978, federal law requires any contractor disturbing painted surfaces to be EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) certified. This is not optional — uncertified contractors face fines up to $37,500 per violation.
The EPA RRP process adds cost because it requires:
- Full plastic containment around work areas (interior and exterior)
- Wet-scrape only — no dry sanding on painted surfaces
- HEPA vacuum closeout of all contained areas
- Written lead-safe documentation provided to homeowner
- Proper disposal of lead-containing debris
| Project Type | EPA RRP Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Single room interior | $150–$280 |
| Full home interior | $400–$700 |
| Exterior painting | $500–$900 |
| Window trim work only | $180–$350 |
Antonio Pizoni is EPA RRP certified. Every pre-1978 project includes a written lead-safe compliance record. Seattle neighborhoods with the highest concentration of pre-1978 homes: Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Ballard, Wallingford, Fremont, Madrona, Rainier Valley, and Beacon Hill.
What's Included in a Pizoni Painting Estimate
Interior — Always Included
- Written itemized quote (no surprises)
- Furniture moved and covered
- Surface prep: patch, sand, prime
- Two coats on all surfaces
- Premium paint (Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore)
- Daily cleanup, final walkthrough
Exterior — Always Included
- Pressure washing entire surface
- Scrape all loose and peeling paint
- Caulk all gaps, joints, window frames
- Spot prime bare wood and repairs
- Two finish coats on all surfaces
- Full cleanup, paint touch-up kit left behind
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy paint or does the contractor provide it?
Pizoni Painting provides all paint — Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore. You choose the color, we purchase and apply. This is standard for professional painting jobs in Seattle. If you have leftover paint from a previous project you want to use, we can discuss that at the estimate.
How long does exterior painting take in Seattle?
A standard 1,500–2,000 sq ft exterior takes 3–5 days with a two-person crew: one day for pressure washing and prep, one day for caulking and priming, two days for finish coats. Victorian homes with complex trim take 5–8 days. Weather windows matter in Seattle — we schedule exterior work May through September for best results.
How much cheaper is painting in the off-season in Seattle?
Interior painting has no seasonal price difference — we work year-round indoors. Exterior painting is weather-dependent; some contractors offer 5–10% discounts for November–March bookings, but the work window is limited. Pre-booking a May–June exterior job in February often gets better scheduling availability rather than a price discount.
What is the cheapest way to get my house painted in Seattle?
Supply your own paint (saves $150–$300 on a room job), paint during the off-peak season (October–February for interiors), and get 3 written quotes. Be cautious of prices significantly below market — low bids often cut corners on prep, use budget paint, or skip lead-safe procedures on pre-1978 homes. The cheapest quote frequently results in the most expensive outcome within 2–3 years.
Get a Free Written Estimate — No Obligation
Antonio Pizoni personally visits every project before quoting. WA licensed, EPA RRP certified, serving Greater Seattle since 2012.
Request Free Estimate (425) 287-3619