Best General-contractor in Seattle, WA — 22 Vetted Contractors

Standard residential permits are running roughly 4-8 weeks for straightforward remodels, per SDCI's published review targets, but structural work, ADU/DADU builds, or anything in an Environmentally Critical Area (steep slopes, landslide-prone zones) can take several months. A contractor who's worked with SDCI recently will have a realistic estimate; one who quotes a flat two-week timeline for anything beyond cosmetic work probably hasn't pulled a permit here lately.

You can act as your own general contractor and hire licensed subs directly, and some homeowners do this to save the GC markup. But you take on the coordination and scheduling risk, and Seattle's permit process requires someone to be the responsible party on record — usually you, if there's no GC. For anything involving structural, electrical panel, or plumbing rerouting, most homeowners find the GC's coordination worth the 15-25% markup.

Mid-range kitchen remodels are running $40,000-$90,000 for a full gut with new cabinets, counters, and appliances; larger projects with structural changes (removing walls, moving plumbing) or high-end finishes push $120,000-$150,000+. Costs vary quite a bit by neighborhood labor availability and material lead times, so get 2-3 itemized bids rather than relying on a single quote.

Go to the Washington L&I contractor lookup tool at lni.wa.gov/verify and search by business name or registration number. It shows bond status, insurance status, and any infraction history. This is public data straight from the state, so there's no reason to take a contractor's word for it.

Yes — it's the most frequent hidden issue GCs find once they open up walls or decks in older Seattle homes, especially those built before 1950 with original siding or flat-roof additions. The city's roughly 150 rainy days per year mean any gap in flashing or siding eventually lets moisture in. A contractor experienced in Seattle housing stock will budget contingency for this rather than treating it as a change-order surprise.

Most single-family lots in Seattle can now support a detached ADU under the city's 2019 ordinance and the statewide HB 1110 middle-housing law, subject to lot size and setback rules SDCI reviews case by case. Budget $180,000-$350,000+ depending on size and utility connections, and expect a 9-14 month permit-to-completion timeline. Confirm your specific lot's eligibility with SDCI's ADU pre-review before getting attached to a design.

Interior work continues year-round, but exterior work — roofing, siding, foundation, DADU groundbreaking — is heavily concentrated in the drier stretch from roughly May through September. Many GCs book their exterior-heavy jobs for summer months well in advance, which is part of why July and August schedules fill up early each year.

Yes. SDCI designates many hillside areas as Environmentally Critical Areas, which typically requires a geotechnical report and additional structural review before permits are issued. This adds time and cost to the permit process, and a contractor unfamiliar with these zones may underestimate both. Ask specifically whether they've completed projects under ECA review before hiring.