# Fence Staining Cost Calculator

Calculate fence staining cost by linear feet, height, stain grade, and DIY vs pro labor. Get fence staining cost per linear foot and fence power washing and staining cost.

## What this calculates

Fence staining typically costs $2 to $8 per linear foot installed, or about $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot of fence face. This calculator sizes up the fence face area, the number of gallons of stain needed, and adds pro labor and optional power washing so you can compare DIY to contractor quotes with confidence.

## Inputs

- **Fence Length** (lin ft) — min 0 — Total linear feet of fence to stain
- **Fence Height** — options: 4 ft, 6 ft (standard privacy), 8 ft
- **Sides to Stain** — options: One side only, Both sides — Both sides is typical for shared privacy fences
- **Stain Quality** — options: Economy ($25/gal, e.g. Thompson's), Standard ($40/gal, e.g. Behr, Olympic), Premium ($55/gal, e.g. Cabot, Ready Seal)
- **Labor** — options: DIY (no labor cost), Pro - Basic ($1.00/sq ft), Pro - Standard ($1.75/sq ft), Pro - Premium ($2.50/sq ft)
- **Include Power Washing** — Adds $0.40/sq ft for fence power washing and staining cost prep
- **Include DIY Supplies** — Brushes, rollers, drop cloths, tape (~$45). Only adds for DIY mode.

## Outputs

- **Fence Face Area** (sq ft) — Total surface to stain (height x linear feet x sides)
- **Stain Gallons Needed** (gal) — At 175 sq ft/gal for rough fence surfaces
- **Stain Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Power Washing Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Labor Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Supply Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Total Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Fence Staining Cost Per Linear Foot** — formatted as currency — Total divided by linear feet (typical contractor quoting unit)

## Details

## Fence Staining Cost Per Linear Foot

Most contractors quote fence staining cost per linear foot because homeowners measure fences that way. Typical 2025 rates for a 6 ft privacy fence stained on both sides:

- DIY materials only: $0.75 to $1.50 per linear foot
- Pro basic (economy stain, single pass): $2.00 to $3.50 per linear foot
- Pro standard (quality stain, brushed): $3.50 to $5.50 per linear foot
- Pro premium (Cabot / Ready Seal, back-brushed): $5.50 to $8.00 per linear foot

A 150 ft cedar privacy fence stained on both sides at 6 ft tall:

- DIY: 11 gallons of standard stain at $40 = $440, plus $45 supplies = about **$485 total**
- Pro standard: $440 stain + $3,150 labor = about **$3,590 total** ($23.90 per linear foot)
- Pro premium: $605 stain + $4,500 labor = about **$5,105 total** ($34 per linear foot)

## Fence Power Washing and Staining Cost

Fence power washing and staining cost is about $0.40 per square foot of fence face when bundled. That adds roughly **$720 to an average 150 ft, 6 ft tall, both-sides job** (1,800 sq ft face). Most pros require power washing before staining so the stain penetrates cleanly; skipping it usually voids any warranty on the finish.

## Stain Coverage for Fences

Fences eat more stain per gallon than smooth interior walls because the wood is rough, porous, and previously weathered:

- Rough / weathered cedar or pine: 150-200 sq ft per gallon
- New, smooth pressure-treated: 200-250 sq ft per gallon
- Semi-transparent oil stain: 150-250 sq ft per gallon
- Solid color stain: 200-300 sq ft per gallon

This calculator uses 175 sq ft/gal as the default, which matches what most DIYers see on a typical weathered 2-5 year old wood fence.

## What Affects Fence Staining Cost Per Linear Foot

- **Height:** staining an 8 ft fence costs about 33 percent more than a 6 ft fence, and a 4 ft fence costs 33 percent less.
- **One side vs both:** doing both sides doubles the square footage and roughly doubles the cost.
- **Stain type:** oil-based semi-transparent is the longest-lasting on cedar (3-5 years); solid stain lasts 5-7 but looks like paint.
- **Prep needs:** heavy mildew, old flaking paint, or nail popping adds $1-2 per linear foot.
- **Railings and lattice tops:** slow the work by 15-30 percent.

## DIY vs Pro

DIY staining cuts total cost by 70-85 percent but takes 2-4 weekends for a typical 150 ft fence. Pros bring a 24-inch stain pad, sprayer with back-brush crew, and tarps that prevent overspray on siding, landscaping, and concrete.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does it cost to stain a fence?**

A: Fence staining cost averages $2 to $8 per linear foot for pro labor on a 6 ft privacy fence stained both sides. A 150 ft fence runs about $485 DIY (stain + supplies), $3,000-4,000 pro standard, or $4,500-6,000 pro premium with back-brushing.

**Q: What is fence staining cost per linear foot?**

A: Fence staining cost per linear foot is typically $2.00-3.50 pro basic, $3.50-5.50 pro standard, and $5.50-8.00 pro premium for a 6 ft fence stained on both sides. Single-sided jobs cost roughly half. DIY materials alone run $0.75-1.50 per linear foot.

**Q: How much is fence power washing and staining cost together?**

A: Fence power washing and staining cost bundled runs about $0.40 per square foot of fence face for washing plus $1.00-2.50 per square foot for staining. A 150 ft fence at 6 ft tall both sides (1,800 sq ft) runs $720 for washing plus $1,800-4,500 for staining, so $2,500-5,200 total.

**Q: How many gallons of stain do I need for a fence?**

A: Divide your fence face area (linear feet x height x sides) by 175 sq ft per gallon. A 150 ft fence at 6 ft both sides is 1,800 sq ft, which needs about 11 gallons. New, smooth wood uses less (220-250 sq ft/gal); weathered or rough wood uses more (130-150 sq ft/gal).

**Q: Does power washing a fence before staining matter?**

A: Yes. Power washing removes dirt, mildew, and loose wood fibers so the stain penetrates evenly. Without it, stain sits on top of grime and peels in 1-2 years instead of lasting 3-5. Most pros will not warranty a stain job without prior washing, and skipping it is the top cause of early failure.

**Q: How often should a wood fence be stained?**

A: Every 3-5 years for semi-transparent oil stain on cedar, and every 5-7 years for solid color stain. South- and west-facing sides weather faster and may need a touch-up coat between full stain jobs. Let the wood dry 2-4 weeks after rain before applying stain.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/fence-staining-cost
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08