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The Daily Insight

How much does it cost to stain wood fence

Author

Mia Lopez

Updated on April 16, 2026

The price of having a professional paint or stain your fence averages $2,000. Homeowners could pay anywhere between $750 to $4,250 depending on the condition, height and length of the fence. Costs average $3 to $17 per linear foot or $1 to $2.50 per square foot.

How much does it cost to stain a fence?

The price of having a professional paint or stain your fence averages $2,000. Homeowners could pay anywhere between $750 to $4,250 depending on the condition, height and length of the fence. Costs average $3 to $17 per linear foot or $1 to $2.50 per square foot.

How much does it cost to stain a fence per hour?

Item detailsQtyLowUnused Minimum Labor Balance of 2 hr(s) minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.0.0 h$0Totals – Cost To Stain Fence250 SF$266Average Cost per Square Foot$1.06

Is it worth it to stain a fence?

Routine wood fence maintenance is important to maintain the aesthetic of the fence and the life of the wood. A fence should be stained every two to three years to preserve the look and function of the fence.

How much does it cost to stain a 6 foot fence?

National Average Price$2,000Typical Price Range$750 – $4,000Typical Price Range (per linear foot – 6 ft privacy fence)$5 – $10

Do I have to powerwash a fence before staining?

Should You Power Wash Before Fence Staining? More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker.

How do I bid a stain job?

  1. Measure the length and width of each section of the deck. …
  2. Consider the cost of the deck stain in regards to how much stain you require for the project. …
  3. Determine the cost to clean and repair the deck before staining. …
  4. Estimate the amount of time you require to clean and stain the deck.

What time of year is best to stain a fence?

The best time to stain a deck is when it’s been dry for several days and the wood is dry. You need at least 48 hours with no rain in the forecast after the application of the stain. Temperatures should be between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For most people, these conditions are met between late spring and early fall.

Is it better to spray or roll stain on a fence?

I recommend using an airless sprayer when applying wood fence stain. Using only a brush and roller for this project is extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. … Use a sprayer to quickly apply the material on the surface and a brush and roller to push the material into the wood.

Is it OK to stain only one side of a fence?

A question that customers sometimes ask is whether both sides of the fence should be sealed. … In reality, if one side of the fence faces a neighbor and they choose not to stain or seal their side will discolor and yours won’t, without this affecting the structural integrity of the structure.

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How long should it take to stain a fence?

Regarding time, make an honest evaluation of the size of your fence or deck and how long it will take to stain. Expect to spend at least two days on this project—counting drying time. You will want to be sure you collect all supplies that you will need ahead of time. This will save you time in the long run!

How long does it take to stain a fence?

If you get the wet pressure treated wood and live in a low humidity area, then you can probably wait 2-3 weeks and then stain your wooden fence.

How do you calculate fence stain?

Divide the total square feet of fence to be stained by the coverage listed on the can. For example, if you have 1,000 square feet of fence and the stain says that 1 gallon covers 200 square feet, you would divide 1,000 by 200, which equals 5 gallons to cover the fence.

How much does it cost to stain a fence per foot?

For a small fence, up to 175 square feet, you will only need one gallon of stain, in any transparency. If your fence is larger, up to 550 square feet, you will need to buy 2 gallons of stain. For very large fences, up to 700 square feet, you will need 3 to 4 gallons of stain to complete the project.

How much does it cost to stain a fence per square foot?

The national average materials cost to stain a fence is $0.55 per square foot, with a range between $0.29 to $0.80. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $1.42, coming in between $0.83 to $2.00. A typical 300 square foot project costs $424.57, with a range of $250.50 to $598.65.

How much should I charge to pressure wash a fence?

The average cost to pressure wash a fence ranges from $0.31 to $0.48 per square foot or between $155 and $290 for a 6-foot tall 100-foot long privacy fence. Once you’ve powered washed your fence, consider staining for an additional cost of $0.87 to $1.85 per square foot, or an extra $389 to $923.

How much does wood stain cost?

TypePriceWater-Based Deck Stain$20 – $90Oil-Based Deck Stain$35 – $120Solid Deck Stain$25 – $70Semi-Solid Deck Stain$40 – $90

How much should I charge to pressure wash and stain a deck?

The average cost to power wash and stain a deck is $2.15 to $4.25 per square foot. Deck painting cost is slightly lower. Total cost is $415 to $925 for decks of average size when a contractor is hired to do the work.

How do you quote a fence stain?

Divide the total square footage by the coverage rate of the paint. This will give you the number of gallons of stain you will need. Multiply the number of gallons of stain by the cost. This is your cost of stain materials.

Can you stain a wet fence?

no. Most wood stains are oil-based and therefore will not bond well to a wet surface. If applied to wet woods, the stain will be thin and will eventually wash off after a few sizable rains. … It is simply better to stain wood when dry.

What happens if you stain a dirty fence?

3. Clean the Fence. You never want to apply stain to a dirty fence. Wood fence stain will only trap any dirt and particulates existing on the fencing, and that grime may even cause the stain to not stick.

Can I stain an old fence?

Whether your wooden fence is years old or newly installed, it can benefit from a single inexpensive addition: stain. Applying wood stain to the slats improves its design and prolongs the lifespan of your hard-working outdoor structure—a win-win!

How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?

In most cases, solid-color stains are like traditional paint and need just one coat to protect your fence. Semi-transparent penetrating stains often need two coats, with the second coat applied approximately an hour after the first coat.

How long does fence stain need to dry?

Don’t stain wood when the temperature is over 32 degrees as it will dry too quickly and create splotches. If the humidity is below 30%, each application of stain will require roughly 12 hours to dry. If the humidity is 60% or higher, it could take 24-36 hours for each coat to dry.

Is it hard to stain a fence?

A: Staining a fence is a lot easier than you may think. … These things need to be removed or fixed in order to end up with a smooth surface where you can apply the wood stain. When you are working on an old wooden fence, your project can be seriously slowed down if you have to remove nails along the way.

Can you stain a fence with a pump sprayer?

While some may think staining a fence can take an entire Saturday, with the right prep and a pump sprayer you can achieve gorgeous results in a very short amount of time. … Some stain is meant to be applied with a brush and roller, and some are perfectly fine to apply with a pump sprayer.

Can you legally paint your side of your Neighbours fence?

Your neighbour doesn’t have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can’t make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it. If the wall or fence seems dangerous, point this out because your neighbour might not be aware.

Can I stain a shared fence?

Paint or stain your side of the fence to protect the wood and prevent weathering. Coordinate with your neighbor to paint the fence at the same time, if you wish, or simply to make sure you use the same products.

Is the fence mine or neighbors?

The fence belongs entirely to your neighbor if it lies on their side of the property line. However, if the fence falls directly on the property line, the responsibility is shared between you and your neighbor. We recommend consulting with your neighbor before performing any renovations, no matter where the fence lies.

When should you not stain a fence?

A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter.

What temperature do you need to stain a fence?

Apply stain only at the proper temperature. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Stains do vary, so check the label first. Avoid high humidity and staining on hot surfaces.