The cost to stain a fence ranges from $1.30 to $2.70 per square foot of fencing, including the materials and the labor for a painter.
Most backyards in the U.S. have 150 to 250 feet of fencing, so the total cost to stain a backyard fence for most homeowners would be about $195 to $325 using cheaper materials such as solid and transparent stain and about $420 to $700 using expensive materials, like semi-transparent stain.
Our cost ranges are based on averages taken from our survey of fence staining prices across the U.S., including major metros and more rural cities. Your specific costs will depend on the material, style, and type of wood of your fence.
Cost by Location
The cost to stain your fence will vary from city to city. Rural areas tend to have lower prices than urban areas. Other factors affecting the price include the cost of living, proximity to suppliers, and service demand.
The local climate may affect the demand throughout the year, as most people hire pros in the summer or other sunny seasons. If you live in a rainy or snowy climate, there will likely be more demand for staining services whenever it’s sunny.
The table below offers a snapshot of the costs of staining a fence across the country:
| City | Cost per Square Foot (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $1.35 – $2.75 |
| New York, NY | $1.70 – $3.45 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Gainesville, FL | $1.05 – $2.25 |
| Nashville, TN | $1.10 – $2.35 |
| Dothan, AL | $1.15 – $2.35 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1.20 – $2.45 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $1.40 – $2.85 |
| Chicago, IL | $1.50 – $3.10 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Corvallis, OR | $1.30 – $2.65 |
| Seattle, WA | $1.55 – $3.15 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| McKinney, TX | $1.10 – $2.30 |
| Roswell, NM | $1.20 – $2.45 |
| San Diego, CA | $1.40 – $2.90 |
Cost by Size
The length and height of your fence are the most significant cost factors. Some painters charge by the square foot, and the average charge is $1.30 to $2.70 per square foot.
To determine your total staining cost, start by calculating the surface area of your fence. Simply multiply the length by the height. For instance, a 150-foot-long fence standing 4 feet tall covers 600 square feet. If both sides need painting, double the total cost.
Here’s how much staining would cost based on surface area:
| Fence Size in Square Feet | Average Cost for One Side | Average Cost for Two Sides |
| 600 | $780 – $1,620 | $1,560 – $3,240 |
| 750 | $975 – $2,025 | $1,950 – $4,050 |
| 900 | $1,170 – $2,430 | $2,340 – $4,860 |
Staining both sides of your fence will provide the most protection. Ask the painter if their rate reflects one or both sides of the fence. If it only reflects one side, the price will double if you want both sides covered.
Staining one side isn’t ideal since the other side will still be vulnerable to all the elements, but you can still do it for visual appeal. Just understand your fence won’t last as long as a fence stained on both sides.
Tip: Most fences belong to only one homeowner, meaning you can do as you please. However, you may not be able to stain both sides if you share your fence with the neighboring property. Talk to your neighbor about splitting the costs to stain the fence and allowing the pros onto your neighbor’s property to work. If your neighbor doesn’t want their side stained, you can stain only your side.
Labor Costs
When you hire a professional, labor costs make up most of the total price. The rate for fence staining is $32 to $130 an hour for each worker.
While the hourly rate will be multiplied by the number of workers, the work will go quicker with multiple people, reducing the total hours. Staining usually takes a few workdays, though the exact amount varies based on the job’s complexity.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
If you want to save money, consider staining the fence yourself. You’ll need to research and sacrifice a couple of weekends, but those extra savings could be worth it. If you are new to DIY and want to stain your fence yourself, it could cost you around $231 if you rent a paint sprayer and $581 if you buy one.
While taking the DIY route can save money on labor, it is time-consuming and requires some skill. You’ll need several free weekends and some helping hands to make things go quicker. Factor in bad weather and unexpected weekend plans, and the project could stretch longer than you intended.
Cost by Type of Stain
Most gallons of stain typically cost around $22 to $103 and cover 160 square feet, but many types of stain are available. You’ll need to choose your fence stain’s composition and transparency based on your needs, wood type, and personal tastes.
Stains can either be oil-based or water-based:
- Oil-based stains hold up better to time and the elements but are banned in some states due to adverse health effects. Oil-based stains cost $20 to $70 a gallon.
- Water-based stains may not last as long, but they’re safer, less flammable, and dry faster. Water-based stains cost $34 to $118 a gallon, on average.
You also need to choose your fence stain’s transparency:
- Transparent stains are slightly pigmented for UV protection but let the wood show, which makes them best for fences with beautiful colors and wood grains.
- Semi-transparent stains are still see-through, but they alter the color more than transparent stains.
- Solid stains are the closest to paint, though some wood grain will still be visible. Solid stains are best for covering wear and tear while still looking more natural than painting.
Here are the costs per gallon based on stain transparency:
| Stain Type | Cost Range Per Gallon |
| Solid | $22 – $79 |
| Transparent | $24 – $90 |
| Semi-transparent | $27 – $103 |
We recommend you use a stain that includes sealer. The sealer protects wood from water damage, weather damage, and graying. Unlike stains, sealers don’t soak into the wood or affect the color. Though stain-sealer combos have an average price of $41 per gallon, they will save you money and labor since you won’t need to buy or apply sealer separately.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
The size of your fence may be the main cost factor, but it’s not the only one. Here are some other things that will increase or decrease the cost to stain a fence.
Cost by Number of Coats
While paint almost always needs two coats, stain usually doesn’t. A single coat of stain will be fine in most cases, especially if you’ve stained your fence in the last five years. However, two coats can benefit new fences or fences that haven’t been stained in more than five years. These fences will absorb much more stain, hence the need for the extra layer.
Two coats of stain will cost double what a single coat costs. Two coats of stain also will require more time since the first coat needs to soak in and dry. If you want to stain the fence yourself, read the product label and note the recommended number of coats needed.
Cost by Type of Wood
You may need to choose your stain based on the type of wood used for your fence. Certain woods absorb more of the stain than others, increasing costs. Woods like oak cost less, making them a budget-friendly option for fencing.
Meanwhile, more durable and rarer woods such as Ipe and black locust typically come at a higher price, meaning they will also cost more to stain. Mid-range options like spruce, pine, and cedar offer a balance between affordability and quality, making these woods common choices for fencing projects.
Cost by Fence Style
The design of your fence affects its surface area and, thus, the total price. For example, a spaced picket fence usually costs less to stain than a privacy fence.
However, closely-spaced designs like board-on-board and shadowbox fences will cost more than privacy fences because the contractor needs to carefully paint between each board, covering each nook and cranny. The same goes for any detailed design, whether it has engravings, post caps, rails, or other detailing.
Here are the costs per linear foot to stain some common fence designs:
| Fence Design | Average Cost Per Linear Foot |
| Picket fence | $2.20 – $4.50 |
| Privacy fence | $3 – $10.50 |
| Shadow box fence | $4 – $14 |
Prep Work
Unlike paint, stain needs relatively little prep work. You don’t need to remove old stain layers; it’s beneficial that they’re there. You also don’t usually need primer. However, you do need to remove mold, mildew, and dirt. Wood cleaner costs around $14 per gallon, and each gallon covers 250 square feet.
Before staining a fence, pressure washing is also a necessary step to follow. This ensures the stain adheres properly and penetrates the wood evenly, resulting in a longer-lasting finish. Pressure washing costs will range from $0.5 to $1 per square foot.
You also may need to sand down rough edges and imperfections beforehand. It costs around $2.50 per square foot to sand wooden fencing.
Obstacles
To get an accurate fence staining cost estimate, you’ll need to let the company know what’s surrounding your fence. If you have concrete footings or walls, the contractors must take extra precautions to avoid staining them.
Contractors also need to watch out for pools, especially if they’re using sprayers.
Both these obstacles could increase the hourly rate or incur an additional flat fee.
FAQ About Fence Staining
Sprayers are much faster but may use more stain and get on surroundings. Exercise caution if your fence is near a wall, pool, concrete, or plant. Rollers are neater, provide even coverage, and are quicker than brushes. No matter which tool you use, you may need a brush to cover hard-to-reach areas.
It would help if you cleaned before staining for the best finish, whether with a pressure washer or another method. Be careful not to pressure wash at too high of a setting, or the wood could dent or splinter.
Even old fences benefit from staining. You may need to clean them more thoroughly, though. However, staining won’t save a fence that’s falling apart. Get your fence repaired or replaced before staining for the best results.
Make Your Fence Look Fresh
Staining your fence isn’t just about looks — it helps protect it against weather damage, prevents rot, and extends the life of your fence. But if spending your weekend with a paintbrush doesn’t sound like fun, let the pros handle it.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Image Credit: encierro / Adobe Stock Free / License
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