Home Improvement Trades in Puget Sound
Most home projects in the Seattle area fall into one of ten trades, and each one has its own costs, its own permit triggers and its own ways to go wrong. Start with the trade that matches your project; each guide ends with links to the city-specific pages.
Outside the house
Roofing. Asphalt, metal, cedar and low-slope roofs, and why moss shortens roof life more than sun does here.
Siding. Fiber cement, vinyl, cedar and engineered wood, and the rainscreen detail that decides whether new siding lasts.
Windows & Doors. Vinyl, fiberglass and wood windows, energy code requirements, and the difference between insert and full-frame replacement.
Exterior Painting. Prep, product and timing for a climate that is wet for eight months.
Inside the house
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling. What drives remodel cost, which changes need permits, and what older houses hide behind their walls.
Additions & Remodeling. Ground-floor additions, second stories, wall removals and whole-house renovations.
Around the house
Decks & Patios. Composite and cedar decks, covered patios, pavers and the framing details that keep them standing.
Fencing. Cedar, horizontal, vinyl and metal fences, height rules and property lines.
ADUs. Backyard cottages, garage conversions and basement units under Washington's ADU law.
Foundation & Drainage. Wet crawlspaces, settling, footing drains and slope problems.
What every trade has in common
Whatever the project, three checks apply to any contractor you hire in Washington: an active registration with the Department of Labor & Industries, a bond and liability insurance, and a written contract that states the scope, the price and the payment schedule. Each trade guide adds the checks that matter for that kind of work.