Remodels, additions & ADUs built for Seattle.
From a Ballard kitchen to a backyard DADU in Beacon Hill, Emerald City Builders designs, permits and builds it under one roof — moisture-smart, seismically sound, and finished to last. Licensed, bonded & insured. No surprise change-orders.
Full-service Seattle construction & remodeling
One accountable team from first sketch to final walk-through — design, permitting, and craftsmanship.
Whole-home remodels
Reimagine an aging Seattle home end-to-end — layout, systems, finishes.
Kitchen & bath remodels
High-function, moisture-smart kitchens and baths built for daily life.
ADUs & DADUs
Backyard cottages & in-home units — feasibility, permits & build.
Home additions
Bump-outs, second stories & dormers that respect your home's character.
Seismic retrofit
Foundation bolting & cripple-wall bracing for Seattle's quake risk.
Decks, siding & exteriors
Rainscreen siding, rot repair & waterproof decks for PNW weather.
Seattle homes have Seattle problems. We build for them.
Generic contractors build the same house in Phoenix and Seattle. We don't. Every project accounts for the four things that actually make or break a build here.
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Rain & moisture, done right
The PNW gets ~37 inches of rain a year. We build with rainscreen siding, proper flashing, drainage and vapor management — the difference between a wall that lasts 40 years and one that rots in 8.
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Seismic-ready structure
Seattle sits on the Cascadia and Seattle faults. We bolt foundations, brace cripple walls and engineer additions to current code so your home is ready when the ground moves.
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ADU & DADU expertise
Since Seattle's 2019 ADU reforms, most lots can add a backyard cottage. We know the size, height and parking rules cold — and turn them into rentable, code-legal square footage.
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SDCI permits, handled
Seattle's permitting is famously slow. We manage the full SDCI process and inspections so you're not stuck decoding the portal — and your project doesn't stall.
Why Seattle owners choose us
A design-build process that protects your budget
Consult & estimate
Free in-home visit. We listen, measure, and give a realistic budget range — no pressure.
Design & fixed bid
Drawings, selections and a fixed-scope proposal so you know the number before we start.
Permit & schedule
We pull SDCI permits, line up the crew, and lock a build schedule.
Build & walk-through
Clean job site, weekly updates, and a final walk-through with a written warranty.
The kind of Seattle projects we build
Photos of completed projects go here at launch — these are the project types we specialize in.
Craftsman kitchen remodel
Opened-up layout, rot-repair, new envelopeBackyard DADU
2-bed detached cottage, full SDCI permit setSecond-story addition
Dormer addition with seismic upgradeWhole-home remodel
Down-to-studs, moisture-smart rebuildPrimary bath remodel
Curbless shower, heated floor, waterproofingBasement ADU conversion
Egress, ceiling height, separate entryReal budget ranges — before you commit
Construction is custom, but you deserve honest numbers up front. These are typical Seattle ranges; your fixed bid comes after a free consult.
| Project | Typical Seattle range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | $25,000 – $60,000 | Guest to primary, waterproofed |
| Kitchen remodel | $45,000 – $120,000 | Mid to high-end finishes |
| Home addition | from $95,000 | Bump-out / second story |
| Whole-home remodel | from $120,000 | Scope-dependent |
| DADU / backyard cottage | $250,000 – $450,000 | Design + permit + build |
| Seismic retrofit | $5,000 – $15,000 | Foundation bolting + bracing |
Prices in USD. Every project gets a written, fixed-scope estimate after a free in-home consultation. Financing available.
Get your free in-home estimate
Tell us about your project and we'll reach out to schedule a no-pressure consultation. Most callbacks within one business day.
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No-pressure consult
Honest budget range up front — even if it's "not yet."
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Fixed-scope bid
Know the number before any work begins.
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Licensed & insured
WA L&I registered · bonded · EPA Lead-Safe.
Prefer to talk now? Call (206) 593-3597
Serving Seattle & the greater Puget Sound
From the city core to the Eastside and North End.
Built on craftsmanship, not invented star counts
Verified Google & Houzz reviews will appear here as our Seattle clients post them — we never fabricate ratings. In the meantime, our work and licensing speak first.
Your questions, answered
How much does a remodel cost in Seattle?
Kitchens typically run $45k–$120k, bathrooms $25k–$60k, and whole-home remodels start around $120k. Seattle's labor and permit costs run above the national average. You get a clear, fixed-scope estimate after a free in-home consult — no surprise change-orders.
Do you handle Seattle SDCI permits?
Yes — we manage the full Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections process, including structural, electrical, mechanical and ADU/DADU permits, and coordinate inspections.
Can I build a DADU (backyard cottage) on my lot?
Most single-family Seattle lots now qualify under the city's 2019 ADU reforms. We handle feasibility, design, permitting and construction — a typical Seattle DADU runs $250k–$450k.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes — licensed Washington State general contractor (L&I registered), bonded, with general liability and workers' comp. We're also EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certified for pre-1978 homes.
How do you protect against rain and rot?
We build with rainscreen siding, proper flashing and drainage, and rot-resistant materials — the moisture detailing that keeps PNW homes dry and durable for decades.
Ready to build it right?
Get a free, no-pressure in-home estimate from a licensed Seattle design-build team.