Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many professional painters offer both interior and exterior painting, as well as additional services.
Interior Painting
Professional interior painters will advise you on various interior paints availible, paint finishes, and maintenance requirements to help you determine which paint works best for your space. They'll prepare and paint your cabinets, windows, door frames, moldings, and trim, depending on what your project needs. Some painters will remove any existing wallpaper or textured finishings before painting for an extra charge.Exterior Painting
Professional painters will begin exterior work by mending weathering or damage, stripping old paint, sealing leaks with caulk, and cleaning walls. They will then paint trim, window frames, decks, doors, siding, fences, and other outdoor areas.Additional Services
Painters with the right training may also provide the following additional services, depending on their expertise:- Concrete staining
- Crown molding installation and repair
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Popcorn ceiling removal
- Pressure washing
- Wallpaper hanging or removal
How To Choose a Painter in Seattle
As you evaluate residential painting companies, consider these key factors.
- Cost: Request price estimates from at least three painters. Be wary of any contractor that quotes a substantially lower price than others.
- Guarantees: Make sure you get a written contract outlining any guarantees and that you understand the duration and scope of coverage.
- Paint types: Ask your painting contractor to go over different paint choices, including the positives and negatives of each, so you can make an informed decision. Some options cater to specific priorities, such as weather-resistant or eco-friendly formulas.
- Qualifications: Painters in Washington must be licensed as specialty contractors by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. In most cases, painters cannot employ subcontractors. The state requires contractors to be bonded and insured, and it's important to verify this information with the painter you hire, especially if they’ll be working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built before 1978, and you're worried about the possible presence of lead, you might look for a firm and a contractor that are certified by the Department of Commerce to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Ask family and friends for references, or use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to review painters you’re considering. You can also browse customer feedback on sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews.
How Much Does Painting Cost in Seattle?
Home painting costs differ depending on project size, your paint selections, and seasonal demand changes, with the busy summer months being the most expensive. The standard cost of both interior and exterior home painting in Seattle is $0.82 to $3.29 per square foot. Most homes have greater interior space than exterior space, which leads to higher indoor painting costs compared to exterior painting costs. For a 2,000-square-foot home, expect to pay about $4,107 to paint the exterior, and anywhere from $1,643 to $6,571 to paint the interior. Alternatively, painters in Seattle may charge you an hourly rate between $17.09 and $28.49. Bundling services will usually reduce costs. If you schedule exterior and interior painting together rather than separately, you’ll likely pay less overall.
