The cost to build a brick house is high, but the aesthetic and durability can be well worth the investment if you’re looking for something unique.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Seattle, WA? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $209,277 - $631,850
The average cost to build a house in Seattle, WA, is $408,135, and most projects total between $209,277 and $631,850. A pro will factor in location, material quality, home size, and more.
How we get this data
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Cost Insights
Heavy rainfall in Seattle makes proper drainage and waterproofing essential for new builds.
Steep-slope and waterfront lots in Seattle usually come with extra engineering needs, permitting requirements, and costs.
Building materials purchased for Seattle projects are subject to a combined state and local sales tax of about 10.25%.
The cost to build a house in Seattle averages around $408,135, with most projects falling between $209,277 and $631,850. Factors like square footage, exterior and interior finish choices, and city requirements for permits and inspections can all affect your final price. On top of that, the region’s heavy rainfall means foundations, siding, and roofing all need to be built to handle constant moisture, which can come with added cost. This guide walks through these and other factors to help you plan a realistic budget for your new build.
Home Building Cost Factors
The overall cost of a new home in Seattle, WA, is based on factors like the size of the home, the foundation it’s built on, and the choices you make for interior and exterior finishes. Permit fees, labor rates, and inspection requirements also play a big role in the final price.
Square Footage
The cost to build a custom home can range anywhere from $100 to $500 per square foot, with the average sitting right around $150 per square foot. The higher end of this range accounts for building luxury homes or homes in large cities. The size and type of house you choose will also affect what you’ll pay.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $150,000 | $100,000–$500,000 |
| 1,500 | $225,000 | $150,000–$750,000 |
| 1,750 | $262,500 | $175,000–$875,000 |
| 2,000 | $300,000 | $200,000–$1,000,000 |
| 2,200 | $330,000 | $220,000–$1,100,000 |
| 3,000 | $450,000 | $300,000–$1,500,000 |
Number of Bedrooms
It’s helpful to have an idea of the total construction cost based on the number of bedrooms, since that will likely be the first thing you decide. You can expect to pay $100,000 to $120,000 per bedroom. Note that the added cost comes from not only the additional square footage for the bedroom but also larger living spaces, additional bathrooms, and utilities to support additional occupants. The average home in the U.S. today is 2,200 to 2,500 square feet and has three bedrooms.
Here are the new construction home costs based on the number of bedrooms at the average price of $150 per square foot.
| Bedrooms | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $110,000 | $100,000–$120,000 |
| 2 | $220,000 | $200,000–$240,000 |
| 3 | $330,000 | $300,000–$360,000 |
| 4 | $440,000 | $400,000–$480,000 |
| 5 | $550,000 | $500,000–$600,000 |
Foundation Type
The cost of your foundation will come down to where you live, the soil conditions, and the type of foundation that’s best for your home.
Unless you’re well-versed in construction, you’ll probably want to lean on a structural engineer to help you determine the correct foundation type and inspect the foundation after its completion.
| Foundation Type | Average Cost (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range (2,000 sq. ft.) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basement | $25–$45 | $50,000–$90,000 | Popular in the area; adds storage or living space; well-suited for sloped lots | Higher excavation cost; needs strong waterproofing due to heavy rainfall |
| Crawl Space | $7–$18 | $14,000–$36,000 | Provides easy access for plumbing and electrical; raises the home above wet ground | Can collect moisture without proper ventilation; prone to pest damage |
| Concrete Slab | $6–$15 | $12,000–$30,000 | Straightforward to build; lower upfront cost; less excavation required | Limited access to utilities; cracks possible during earthquakes |
| Brick/Cinder Block | $10–$21 | $20,000–$42,000 | Found in many older Seattle homes; durable when maintained | Mortar can deteriorate in damp conditions; seismic activity may cause shifting |
Exterior Finishes
Exterior finishes, from the siding to the shingles on your roof, will account for $25,000 to $60,000 of your overall home-building costs. You and your team will have a lot of decisions to make depending on the exterior style you’re going for and the best options for your local climate, among other factors. Things like high-end roofing materials and gutters will increase your cost but also provide a greater ROI.
| Exterior Finish | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Siding | $8–$34 per sq. ft. |
| Roofing | $7–$16 per sq. ft. |
| Exterior Trim | $12–$26 per linear ft. |
| Stucco | $10–$14 per sq. ft. |
| Gutters | $6–$42 per linear ft. |
Interior Finishes
Moving on to the interior work of your home is an exciting phase. This stage is the moment to determine the flooring, the paint colors, and all appliances and home systems that make your house a home. Assume you'll pay between $50,000 and $175,000 for all interior finishes.
The higher cost range accounts for more complex and sought-after materials. These include everything from insulation with higher R-values to beautiful marble countertops. Nearly every category, however, offers options for all budget preferences.
| Interior Finish | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Flooring | $5–$27 per sq. ft. |
| Painting | $4–$8 per sq. ft. |
| Countertops | $12–$225 per sq. ft. |
| Interior Trim | $1.50–$2.50 per linear ft. |
| Interior Doors | $100–$700 each |
Home Building Pro Costs
In Seattle, you should consider more than labor rates when hiring a home builder. Factors such as taxes and city permits can drive up the price more than expected, so make sure to account for them in your overall budget.
Labor
Contractors typically charge 15% to 20% of the total project cost for managing the building project and coordinating tradespeople. You’ll also need to account for the fees of plumbers, electricians, and HVAC crews, which often fall between $100 and $175 per hour in Seattle. And when crews are working on steep or wooded lots, or navigating dense urban neighborhoods, your labor costs can increase further since additional time, expertise, and equipment may be required.
Permits
In Seattle, every new single-family home or duplex must go through the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections permitting process before work can begin. Fees depend on the project’s overall valuation and scope, so the final number can vary widely. For instance, a 1,500-square-foot home valued at about $294,000 comes with roughly $5,600 in plan review and permit charges. Straightforward projects usually fall in the $3,000 to $6,000 range, but homes on steep slopes, waterfront lots, and environmentally sensitive sites can end up much higher once extra reviews and requirements are factored in.
Licensing and Insurance
In Seattle, contractors need a Washington State Contractor License issued by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before working on residential construction. And specialized trades like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC need their own state-issued licenses. Subcontractors working on the project must also be individually licensed and bonded. The costs to maintain these credentials are typically built into the bids you receive.
Additionally, Washington law requires contractors with employees to carry workers’ compensation through L&I, and most also maintain liability insurance to protect against accidents and property damage. Verifying that a builder’s license and insurance are active is critical since these protections are what protect you if something goes wrong during construction.
Taxes
Washington charges sales tax on building materials, and the state rate is 6.5%, but in Seattle, the total with local taxes comes to about 10.25%. Contractors pay that when they buy supplies, so it’s already built into the price you’re quoted. Once the house is finished, King County reassesses the property at its new market value, which means your property tax bill will go up to reflect the full value of the completed home instead of just the land.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
Your general contractor will run the project, but you’ll also need other pros to make the house livable, like licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC crews. Their rates are usually separate from the contractor's and should be factored into your budget.
Draftsperson costs: $100–$175 per hour
Foundation contractor costs: $5,000–$15,500
House framer costs: $1,600–$8,500
Plumber costs: $100–$175 per hour
Electrician costs: $100–$175 per hour
HVAC technician costs: $6,000–$15,000
Roofer costs: $7,000–$15,000
Is Building a New House Worth It?
In Seattle, the return on a new build isn’t usually a sudden spike in property value as much as it’s having a house that stays competitive as the market grows. So what you’ll gain right away is a place built to the city’s current codes, with efficient systems, modern insulation, and earthquake-ready construction. Those upgrades help you cut down on maintenance, lower your utility bills, and make the home easier to sell when the time comes.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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