$ ProjectCostRange
Metro cost guide · BLS 2025

Home improvement costs in Seattle (2026)

Construction trades in the Seattle area earn $87,590 a year — 34% above the U.S. average. That makes most home projects run about 20% more than the national typical. Here's what 100+ projects cost in Seattle, adjusted for local labor.

Seattle construction labor

$87,590 avg / year

Ranks 2 of 44 major metros · project cost adjustment ×1.20 vs. national

U.S. typical
How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost? Roofing $5–$12/linear ft $6–$14/linear ft
How Much Do Kitchen Countertops Cost? Remodeling $50–$200/sq ft $60–$240/sq ft
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? Solar & Energy $15,000–$35,000 $18,000–$42,000
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? Remodeling $6,000–$25,000 $7,200–$30,000
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost? Roofing $150–$400 $180–$480
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $3,000–$10,000 $3,600–$12,000
How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $4–$8/sq ft $4.80–$9.60/sq ft
How Much Does a Fire Pit Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $300–$5,000 $360–$6,000
How Much Does a French Drain Cost? Windows & Exterior $1,500–$6,000 $1,800–$7,200
How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost? Remodeling $6,000–$27,000 $7,200–$32,400
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $1,200–$3,500 $1,400–$4,200
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Install? Heating & Cooling $6,000–$20,000 $7,200–$24,000
How Much Does a Home Addition Cost? Remodeling $22,000–$100,000 $26,400–$120,000
How Much Does a Home Battery Cost? Solar & Energy $12,000–$20,000/unit $14,400–$24,000/unit
How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $5,000–$25,000 $6,000–$30,000
How Much Does a Kitchen Island Cost? Remodeling $3,000–$10,000 $3,600–$12,000
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? Remodeling $15,000–$50,000 $18,000–$60,000
How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? Roofing $15,000–$40,000 $18,000–$48,000
How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $3,000–$16,000 $3,600–$19,200
How Much Does a Pergola Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $2,000–$8,000 $2,400–$9,600
How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $10,000–$40,000 $12,000–$48,000
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $3,000–$12,000 $3,600–$14,400
How Much Does a Septic System Cost? Plumbing $3,000–$20,000 $3,600–$24,000
How Much Does a Sprinkler System Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $1,600–$5,000 $1,900–$6,000
How Much Does a Storage Shed Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $1,500–$10,000 $1,800–$12,000
How Much Does a Sunroom Addition Cost? Remodeling $20,000–$60,000 $24,000–$72,000
How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost? Heating & Cooling $1,500–$4,500 $1,800–$5,400
How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost? Remodeling $4,500–$15,000 $5,400–$18,000
How Much Does a Water Softener Cost? Plumbing $800–$3,500 $960–$4,200
How Much Does a Whole House Generator Cost? Solar & Energy $7,000–$15,000 $8,400–$18,000
How Much Does Air Conditioner Repair Cost? Heating & Cooling $150–$700/unit $180–$840/unit
How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $3,000–$7,000 $3,600–$8,400
How Much Does an Egress Window Cost? Windows & Exterior $2,500–$6,000 $3,000–$7,200
How Much Does an Inground Pool Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $45,000–$90,000 $54,000–$108,000
How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $6,000–$35,000 $7,200–$42,000
How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $8–$20/sq ft $9.60–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost? Remodeling $1,200–$3,200 $1,400–$3,800
How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost? Insulation $1–$4/sq ft $1.20–$4.80/sq ft
How Much Does Basement Waterproofing Cost? Windows & Exterior $2,500–$12,000 $3,000–$14,400
How Much Does Bathtub Refinishing Cost? Remodeling $300–$650 $360–$780
How Much Does Blown-In Insulation Cost? Insulation $0.9–$2.4/sq ft $1.10–$2.90/sq ft
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost? Remodeling $2–$8/sq ft $2.40–$9.60/sq ft
How Much Does Chimney Repair Cost? Roofing $200–$2,500/unit $240–$3,000/unit
How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost? Insulation $3,000–$8,000 $3,600–$9,600
How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost? Plumbing $150–$500/unit $180–$600/unit
How Much Does Driveway Sealing Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $100–$300 $120–$360
How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost? Remodeling $1.5–$3.5/sq ft $1.80–$4.20/sq ft
How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost? Remodeling $3–$25/sq ft $3.60–$30/sq ft
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost? Windows & Exterior $2,500–$15,000 $3,000–$18,000
How Much Does Garage Door Replacement Cost? Windows & Exterior $1,000–$3,500 $1,200–$4,200
How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost? Roofing $100–$350 $120–$420
How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? Roofing $1,000–$4,500 $1,200–$5,400
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? Outdoor & Landscaping $4,000–$25,000 $4,800–$30,000
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? Remodeling $20,000–$50,000 $24,000–$60,000
How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU? Remodeling $80,000–$250,000/sq ft $96,000–$300,000/sq ft
How Much Does It Cost to Epoxy a Garage Floor? Remodeling $1,500–$3,500 $1,800–$4,200
How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement? Remodeling $15,000–$50,000 $18,000–$60,000
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ceiling Fan? Electrical $150–$600/unit $180–$720/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Fence? Outdoor & Landscaping $2,000–$8,000 $2,400–$9,600
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Fireplace? Remodeling $1,000–$10,000 $1,200–$12,000
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Mini Split? Heating & Cooling $2,000–$14,500 $2,400–$17,400
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight? Roofing $1,200–$4,200/unit $1,400–$5,000/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Sump Pump? Plumbing $650–$2,000 $780–$2,400
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Toilet? Plumbing $250–$800 $300–$960
How Much Does It Cost to Install an EV Charger at Home? Solar & Energy $1,000–$3,000 $1,200–$3,600
How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting? Electrical $125–$300/unit $150–$360/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install Sod? Outdoor & Landscaping $1–$3.5/sq ft $1.20–$4.20/sq ft
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior? Windows & Exterior $3,000–$10,000 $3,600–$12,000
How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Interior of a House? Remodeling $2,000–$6,000 $2,400–$7,200
How Much Does It Cost to Pump a Septic Tank? Plumbing $250–$600 $300–$720
How Much Does It Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets? Remodeling $4,000–$10,000 $4,800–$12,000
How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House? Plumbing $4,000–$15,000 $4,800–$18,000
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Boiler? Heating & Cooling $4,000–$10,000 $4,800–$12,000
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Central AC Unit? Heating & Cooling $4,000–$12,000 $4,800–$14,400
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace? Heating & Cooling $3,000–$12,000 $3,600–$14,400
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof? Roofing $7,000–$18,000 $8,400–$21,600
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater? Heating & Cooling $900–$3,500 $1,100–$4,200
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pump? Plumbing $1,500–$4,000 $1,800–$4,800
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an HVAC System? Heating & Cooling $7,000–$20,000 $8,400–$24,000
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Ductwork? Heating & Cooling $1,400–$12,000 $1,700–$14,400
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House? Electrical $8,000–$30,000 $9,600–$36,000
How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof a Room? Remodeling $1,000–$3,000 $1,200–$3,600
How Much Does It Cost to Stucco a House? Windows & Exterior $8,000–$30,000 $9,600–$36,000
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel? Electrical $1,500–$6,000 $1,800–$7,200
How Much Does Landscaping Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $3,000–$15,000 $3,600–$18,000
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? Remodeling $1,500–$6,000 $1,800–$7,200
How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost? Remodeling $1–$6/sq ft $1.20–$7.20/sq ft
How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $200–$600 $240–$720
How Much Does Radiant Floor Heating Cost? Heating & Cooling $6–$20/sq ft $7.20–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost? Windows & Exterior $800–$2,500 $960–$3,000
How Much Does Roof Repair Cost? Roofing $350–$1,900 $420–$2,300
How Much Does Sewer Line Replacement Cost? Plumbing $3,000–$12,000 $3,600–$14,400
How Much Does Siding Replacement Cost? Windows & Exterior $7,000–$20,000 $8,400–$24,000
How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost? Insulation $1.5–$5/sq ft $1.80–$6/sq ft
How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $8–$20/sq ft $9.60–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Tile Installation Cost? Remodeling $7–$20/sq ft $8.40–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $400–$1,800/unit $480–$2,200/unit
How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost? Outdoor & Landscaping $250–$1,000 $300–$1,200
How Much Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost? Remodeling $3–$10/sq ft $3.60–$12/sq ft
How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? Windows & Exterior $5,000–$15,000 $6,000–$18,000

How these are adjusted: we apply the Seattle metro's labor-cost multiplier (×1.20), built from BLS metro wage data, to each project's national range. Materials price close to national, so the difference is mostly labor. These are budgeting estimates, not quotes — neighborhoods and contractors vary. Always get local bids. See all of Washington's costs too.

What construction trades earn in Seattle

Annual mean wage by trade (2025), and how each compares to the U.S. average — from BLS data.

TradeSeattlevs. U.S.
Electricians $99,720 +39%
Plumbers $96,250 +33%
HVAC technicians $85,420 +32%
Carpenters $84,060 +28%
Roofers $73,240 +26%
Painters $62,400 +13%
Construction laborers $64,990 +25%

What people actually paid in Seattle

Median filed job value from 4,916 residential-scale permits issued in the last 12 months (City of Seattle Building Permits). Filed values are self-reported and often run below the final contract price — treat them as a reality check, not a quote. Full tables: what projects actually cost.

Project Permits Median filed Middle 50%
Home addition / ADU 3,200 $110,200 $50,000 – $212,200
Roof replacement 125 $20,000 $15,000 – $28,100
Kitchen remodel 67 $52,500 $34,800 – $95,000
Bathroom remodel 58 $25,000 $15,000 – $50,000

Most active contractors (last 12 months)

Contractor Permits pulled
VALENTINE ROOFING 185
STATE ROOFING INC 25
CHINOOK BUILDING EVNELOPE SERVICES 23

Permit counts are public filings — activity, not an endorsement. Washington requires contractors to register with L&I and carry a bond. Always verify the license and get three written bids.

Frequently asked questions

Is it expensive to renovate in Seattle?
Construction trades in the Seattle area earn $87,590 a year on average — 34% above the U.S. average of $65,360 (BLS, 2025). Because labor is roughly half of most bills, that pushes a typical project about 20% more than the national figure.
Why does Seattle cost more than average?
Materials cost about the same nationwide; the difference is local labor. The Seattle metro ranks 2 of 44 major metros we track for construction-trade wages, which is the main driver of pricing here.
Do these prices cover the whole Seattle area?
Yes — these reflect the Seattle metropolitan area. Exact quotes still vary by neighborhood, contractor, and scope, so always get a few local bids. Use the calculator on any guide for a tailored ballpark.

Compare other metros on the cost-by-city index, see Washington costs by state, or the underlying trade wage data.