Fence Staining Cost: Pro Prices Per Foot

Professional fence staining typically costs about $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot of fence face, per side. For a standard 6-foot wood fence, that works out to roughly $4.50 to $12 per linear foot for one side, or about $9 to $24 per linear foot to do both sides. A typical 150-foot backyard fence stained on one side usually falls somewhere around $700 to $1,800, and around $1,400 to $3,600 for both sides. Painting runs higher, often $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, because it needs primer, more coats and more careful cutting in. The age and condition of the wood, how much prep it needs, the type of stain and your local labor rates are what move the number. This guide breaks down each factor so you can read quotes and decide what to hire out.

Part of our Landscaping & Hardscaping guide →

In this guide

1. How Fence Staining Is Priced
2. Typical Costs by Fence Size
3. What Drives the Price
4. Stain vs Sealer vs Paint
5. Spraying vs Brushing
6. DIY Fence Staining Costs
7. When to Stain a Fence
8. Ways to Save on Fence Staining
9. How to Get an Accurate Quote
10. Frequently Asked Questions

How Fence Staining Is Priced

Contractors quote fence staining in one of three ways: per square foot of fence face, per linear foot of fence, or as a flat project price. Square footage is the most precise, because a 4-foot picket fence and an 8-foot privacy fence of the same length need very different amounts of stain and labor. To convert, multiply fence length by height to get the square footage of one side. A 150-foot run of 6-foot fence is 900 square feet per side, or 1,800 square feet for both sides.

Be clear on whether a quote is for one side or both. Many homeowners only stain the side they see, and in many neighborhoods the “good side” faces outward toward the neighbor or street. If your neighbor wants their side done, a shared project can be cheaper per foot than two separate visits. Fence upkeep is one piece of a wider outdoor plan; our landscaping and hardscaping guide covers budgeting across fences, patios and plantings.

Typical Costs by Fence Size

Fence	Area per side	Stain, one side	Stain, both sides	Paint, one side
50 ft, 6 ft tall	300 sq ft	$225–$600	$450–$1,200	$450–$1,050
100 ft, 6 ft tall	600 sq ft	$450–$1,200	$900–$2,400	$900–$2,100
150 ft, 6 ft tall	900 sq ft	$675–$1,800	$1,350–$3,600	$1,350–$3,150
200 ft, 6 ft tall	1,200 sq ft	$900–$2,400	$1,800–$4,800	$1,800–$4,200
150 ft, 4 ft picket	600 sq ft (gross)	$450–$1,200	$900–$2,400	$900–$2,100
150 ft, 8 ft tall	1,200 sq ft	$900–$2,400	$1,800–$4,800	$1,800–$4,200

These are typical planning ranges, calculated from the per-square-foot rates above, not quotes. Small jobs often carry a minimum charge, commonly a few hundred dollars, so a short run may cost more per foot. Open picket fences use less stain than their gross area suggests but take longer to brush or back-roll, so labor evens out the difference.

What Drives the Price

Factor	Typical effect on cost
Cleaning or pressure washing	Often included; about $0.15–$0.50 per sq ft if itemized
Wood brightener (oxalic acid) after cleaning	Small add-on; restores color on grayed wood
Stripping old stain or paint	Can roughly double prep time; quoted separately
Repairs (loose boards, nails, posts)	Hourly or per board; see repair costs
Stain type and number of coats	Premium oil stains and two coats raise material and labor
Fence style	Shadowbox, lattice tops and pickets take longer than flat stockade
Access	Shrubs, tight side yards and slopes slow work
Masking	Protecting siding, plants, pools and hardscape adds time
Region and season	High-cost metros and peak season run higher

Prep is where quotes diverge

Stain only performs as well as the surface underneath it. New pressure-treated lumber is often too wet to accept stain for several weeks to a few months, so many pros wait until water beads soak in rather than sit on the surface. Weathered, gray wood needs cleaning and brightening so the stain penetrates and the color is even. A fence with old peeling solid stain or paint may need to be stripped or sanded, which is the most expensive prep scenario. If two quotes are far apart, compare the prep steps first.

Repairs first

Stain will not save rotted posts or split boards. Replace damaged boards and re-secure loose ones before staining so the new wood can be finished with the rest. If many posts are rotting at the base, compare the cost of repairs against our fence repair cost and fence replacement cost guides before spending on a finish.

Stain vs Sealer vs Paint

Finish	Look	Typical lifespan	Relative pro cost
Clear water repellent or sealer	Natural wood; little UV protection	About 1–2 years	Lowest
Transparent or toner stain	Light tint, grain fully visible	About 1–3 years	Low
Semi-transparent stain	Color with visible grain	About 2–4 years	Moderate
Solid stain	Opaque color, texture visible	About 3–5 years	Moderate to high
Paint (primer plus two coats)	Fully opaque, smooth	About 4–7 years, but peels	Highest

Semi-transparent oil-based or hybrid stains are the most popular choice for wood privacy fences. They soak in, block UV that grays wood, and fade gradually rather than peeling, so recoating needs only a cleaning, not stripping. Solid stains hide mismatched boards and older wood but behave more like paint over time. Paint gives the most color control and lasts longest between coats on vertical surfaces, but once it peels you will be scraping and priming. If your fence is cedar or redwood, many homeowners prefer a semi-transparent stain to show off the grain. For more on product types, our roundup of deck stains covers many of the same exterior wood finishes.

Spraying vs Brushing

Most pros apply stain with an airless sprayer and then back-brush or back-roll to work it into the grain. Spraying alone is faster and can lower the price, but it may leave thin spots and runs and creates overspray that must be controlled near cars, siding and the neighbor’s yard. Brushing alone gives the best penetration on rough-sawn wood but takes much longer. Ask how the contractor applies stain and what they do to protect nearby surfaces.

DIY Fence Staining Costs

Doing it yourself mainly costs time and materials. Exterior stain coverage varies by product and wood texture, but many labels list somewhere around 150 to 300 square feet per gallon on rough or weathered wood, with less on the first coat over dry wood. A 900-square-foot side of fence might need roughly 3 to 6 gallons for one coat. Add a pump sprayer or airless sprayer rental, brushes or rollers, a fence and deck cleaner, brightener, drop cloths, painter’s tape and protective gear. For many homeowners, materials and rentals for one side of a typical backyard fence come in at a few hundred dollars, compared with the labor-heavy pro price.

DIY makes the most sense on a straightforward stockade fence with good access. It is a two- or three-weekend project for most people once you include cleaning and drying time. If you are planning a new fence, factor finishing into your budget from the start; our privacy fence cost guide covers installation pricing by material.

When to Stain a Fence

• New wood: Wait until it is dry enough to absorb water. Sprinkle water on a board; if it soaks in within a few minutes, it is ready. For pressure-treated pine this often takes several weeks to a few months, depending on climate.
• Weather: Most stains need temperatures roughly between 50°F and 90°F, no rain for 24 to 48 hours, and are best applied out of direct midday sun.
• Season: Late spring and early fall are ideal in most regions. Booking in shoulder seasons may also get you better availability from contractors.
• Restaining: When water stops beading and the color has faded noticeably, usually every two to five years. South- and west-facing sides wear faster.

Ways to Save on Fence Staining

• Restain before it fails. Recoating a fence that is only faded is far cheaper than rescuing one that has grayed, mildewed or peeled, because prep is minimal.
• Do the prep yourself. Trimming back shrubs, moving planters and furniture, and cleaning the fence a few days ahead can trim labor hours from the quote.
• Stick with semi-transparent stain. It is easier to maintain than solid stain or paint, since future coats rarely need stripping.
• Split the job with a neighbor. Doing both sides of a shared fence in one visit avoids two trip charges and two minimums.
• Book outside peak season. Early spring and fall slots may be easier to schedule and priced more competitively in some markets.
• Ask about product choice. A contractor’s standard stain line is often less expensive than a specialty product you request.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

• Measure the fence length and height, and note how many gates there are.
• Decide whether you want one side or both stained.
• Photograph the fence’s condition, including gray wood, mildew, peeling finish and damaged boards.
• Choose the finish type or ask the contractor to recommend one with reasons.
• Ask each contractor to itemize cleaning, brightening, repairs, stain product, coats and cleanup.
• Confirm the product brand and line they plan to use, and whether there is a workmanship warranty.

Fence finishing is often bundled with other yard projects, such as sealing a deck or pergola at the same visit. Asking for one combined quote can reduce trip charges and minimums.