How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Fence? (2026 Guide)
How much does it cost to stain a fence? DIY materials run about $0.05–0.10/sq ft; hiring a pro runs about $1–3/sq ft all-in. A 100×6 ft fence (1,200 sq ft, both sides): DIY ≈ $80–140, hired ≈ $1,200–3,000.
Fence staining costs at a glance
Planning ranges for a typical wood privacy fence, not quotes. Per sq ft figures use real surface area: a 100 ft run of 6 ft fence counts 600 sq ft per side and 1,200 sq ft once both sides are included.
| Cost item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Semi-transparent stain (materials) | $30–50 per gallon |
| Solid stain (materials) | $40–70 per gallon |
| Stain coverage | 200–300 sq ft per gallon (one coat) |
| Professional labor (both sides) | $0.50–1.50 per sq ft |
The low end assumes clean, dry, ready-to-stain wood. Stripping old paint, scraping flaking solid stain or power washing adds prep time and pushes the estimate up.
Work the example: a 100×6 ft fence
The standard example is a 100 ft run of 6 ft privacy fence. One side is 100 × 6 = 600 sq ft.
Staining both sides doubles the surface to 1,200 sq ft — skip the back and it fades and weathers unevenly.
DIY materials: about $80–200. A gallon covers about 200–300 sq ft, so 1,200 sq ft needs 4–6 gallons for one coat — fewer when the wood is smooth or previously stained.
Most one-coat semi-transparent jobs land around $80–140; solid stain, a second coat or rough dry wood pushes the total toward $200+. Enter your fence in the fence stain calculator and it sizes the gallons for you.
Hiring a pro: $700–2,000 in labor, $1,200–3,000 all-in. The rate is $0.50–1.50 per sq ft of double-sided surface, so 1,200 sq ft is $600–1,800 before extras; minimum charges, power washing and gates push most quotes to $700–2,000.
With materials included, a full job typically runs $1–3 per sq ft — about $1,200–3,000 for this fence.
Semi-transparent or solid stain?
Semi-transparent stain ($30–50/gal) soaks into the wood, shows the grain and usually needs one coat — the budget pick for cedar and pine. Solid stain ($40–70/gal) forms a paint-like film that hides the grain and lasts longer, but takes more prep, often two coats, and re-coats differently later.
Finish choice moves the materials total more than anything else. Weighing paint instead? Our paint vs. stain for a fence guide compares the two side by side.
What can push the estimate higher
A clean, straight, single-gate run is the cheapest fence to stain. Costs climb with gates and corners, fences over 6 ft, old paint or old solid stain that needs stripping or scraping, and a second coat on thirsty wood. Regional labor rates add a further 20–40% swing between metros.
Tips that keep the job cheap and even
- Wash the fence, then wait a full 48 hours — mildew and grime block penetration, and damp wood absorbs stain unevenly. Power wash, then give the boards two dry days before you open the can.
- Two thin coats beat one thick one — thin applications soak in and cure evenly, while a heavy coat sits on the surface and stays tacky. On raw wood, follow the can's one-coat guidance and re-coat only where the first coat soaked in.
- Old paint and old solid stain cost extra — semi-transparent stain only takes on bare wood or wood finished with semi-transparent before; painted or solid-stained fences need stripping and priming first.
Pricing a different layout? The same math scales to any run — how much stain for a fence sizes the gallons, and paint vs. stain for a fence compares finish costs before you buy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to stain a 100 ft fence yourself?
About $80–140 for a typical one-coat semi-transparent job. A 100×6 ft fence is 1,200 sq ft across both sides, which takes roughly 4–6 gallons at 200–300 sq ft per gallon; at $30–50 a gallon most DIY jobs land in the $80–200 range. Budget more for solid stain or a second coat.
How much does it cost to hire someone to stain a fence?
About $1,200–3,000 for a 100×6 ft fence when materials, labor and prep are included ($1–3 per sq ft). Labor alone usually runs $700–2,000 — the $0.50–1.50 per sq ft rate on 1,200 sq ft plus minimum charges and prep — with stain adding about $80–200 on top.
How much does fence staining cost per square foot?
DIY materials run about $0.05–0.10 per sq ft, professional labor about $0.50–1.50 per sq ft (counting both sides of the fence), and a full hired job about $1–3 per sq ft all-in.
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