Seattle Interior Painting Cost Overview

Most interior painting projects in Seattle fall between $2 and $6 per square foot.

Whole-home jobs typically land between $2,000 and $4,000+, depending on size, layout, prep, and paint quality.

Fast Painters Seattle Pricing

• $3 per sq ft = labor + materials

• $4 per sq ft = labor + materials + paint

Note, this pricing is specific to our company.

Typical Seattle Ranges by Home Size

• 500 sq ft condo: $1,000–$2,500

• 800 sq ft home: $1,600–$4,000

• 1,000–1,200 sq ft home: $2,000–6,000

Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot

Per-square-foot pricing is a quick way to ballpark the cost to paint the interior of a house, but what that number includes matters.

What’s Usually Included?

• Labor (the biggest component – often 75% to 95% of the total cost)

• Basic masking and floor protection

• Standard materials (tape, plastic, covers)

• Cleanup

When The Rate Goes Up

• Multiple colors or accent walls

• Tight, chopped-up floor plans

• Tall or vaulted ceilings

• Heavy prep or repairs

• Low- or zero-VOC premium paint

Seattle consistently sits at the upper end of national averages because of labor costs, older homes needing repair, and the city’s preference for better-quality paint.

What Drives Interior Painting Cost in Seattle?

1. Home Size & Total Paintable Area

Square footage matters, but so does wall height and surface complexity. A 1,000 sq ft condo with 10-foot ceilings can require more labor than a 1,200 sq ft rambler with 8-foot ceilings.

2. Layout Complexity

Layout affects labor far more than materials.

Open Layouts:

• Fewer corners and doorways

• Fewer cut-ins

• Continuous color through shared spaces

• Faster overall production

Many Small Rooms:

• Multiple setups

• More taping, more edging, more ladder moves

• Centered around slower, detailed brush work

Stairwells, hallways, and tall ceilings behave like mini-projects inside the project.

3. Prep Work and Existing Conditions

Older Seattle homes often show:

• Cracks from settling

• Water damage around windows or ceilings

• Peeling paint

• Uneven textures

• DIY patches from previous owners

Prep drives cost. Extra prep can add $0.50–$0.75 per sq ft on top of the base price.

Texture matching, skim coating, or repairing damaged drywall each introduces additional labor blocks separate from painting.

4. Paint and Material Choices

Material cost in Seattle typically runs $2–$4 per sq ft in total.

Examples of local paint pricing:

• Primer: $20–$35/gal

• Flat paint: $25–$40/gal

• Semi-gloss: $35–$50/gal

• High-gloss: $50–$70/gal

• Low/zero-VOC: $60–85/gal

Premium paints often need:

• Additional coats

• More precise cut-ins

• Longer dry times

5. Labor Rates in Seattle

Painter labor in Seattle often equates to $65–$95+ per hour per painter, depending on experience and complexity. Labor makes or breaks the final number on the invoice.

Commonly Missed Costs

These aren’t hidden fees – they’re just line items homeowners often don’t realize aren’t included in basic paint pricing.

Repairs

• Large drywall patches

• Water damage repairs

• Crack repairs

• Texture matching

Repairs can add hundreds to thousands depending on severity.

Primers and Extra Coats

Dark-to-light shifts or stain issues typically require:

• A dedicated primer coat

• A third finish coat in some cases

Wallpaper or Texture Removal

These tasks are priced entirely separately. Texture removal in particular is labor-intensive.

Access Challenges

• Vaulted ceilings

• Stairwells

• Tight corners

These areas require ladders, planks, or scaffolding.

Examples of Interior Painting Cost in Seattle

Small Condo, Walls Only

500 sq ft

• Minimal repairs

• One-color scheme

• Standard 8 ft ceilings

Result: $1,000–1,800

1,200 sq ft Home, Full Interior

• Walls + ceilings + trim

• Two-color scheme

• Moderate prep

Result: $2,800–5,500

Older Seattle Home With Repairs

• Water stains near windows

• Multiple cracks

• Texture matching needed

Result: $4,500–8,000 depending on repair scope

DIY vs Hiring a Pro in Seattle

DIY Material Costs

Most DIY full-interior projects fall between $300 and $900 depending on paint and tools.

Pros of DIY

• Much lower cash outlay

• Full control over timing

Cons of DIY

• Rushed prep leads to peeling or uneven finishes

• Time commitment (multi-weekend projects are common)

• Mistakes can require a full repaint

When Hiring Pros Makes Better Sense

• High ceilings or stairwells

• Full interior repaints

• Pre-sale refreshes

• Homes with moisture issues or damaged walls

Seattle’s climate and older homes make proper prep especially important for durability.

How to Compare Quotes from Seattle Painters

When reviewing estimates, make sure each contractor clearly states:

• Number of coats

• Paint brand and finish

• What’s included for trim, ceilings, and doors

• Whether repairs are included or separate

• Whether primer is included

• Scope of masking and protection

Written scopes prevent estimate creep.