Typical backyard fence run: 150 linear ft
Surface area = length × height × 2 sides = 1,800 sq ft
Stain Needed
11 gallons
Effective Rate
$1.10/sqft
Surface Area
1,800 sqft
Per Linear Foot
$13.20/ft
Based on ~175 sq ft per gallon of stain, 1 coat
150 linear ft × 6 ft (1,800 sq ft two-sided)
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You just calculated: Fence staining — $1980.00 (150 linear ft)
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Quick answer: fence staining cost
Fence staining typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot of one fence face, which is about $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of total two-sided surface, or roughly $12 to $24 per linear foot for a 6-foot fence. The average total job runs $750 to $4,250. Because a fence has two sides, a 150 linear foot, 6-foot-tall fence has about 1,800 square feet of two-sided surface to stain. Semi-transparent stain is the popular middle choice: it shows grain plus color and lasts 2 to 3 years, while solid stain lasts 3 to 5 years and transparent wears fastest. Plan on about 1 gallon of stain per 175 square feet, and re-stain every 2 to 3 years.
Fence staining is priced by surface area, and the key detail is that a fence has two sides. A run of fence that measures 150 linear feet and stands 6 feet tall has about 1,800 square feet of two-sided surface to stain, which is why the total job cost is far higher than the per-square-foot rate alone suggests.
Staining typically runs $2 to $4 per square foot of one face, or about $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of two-sided surface. The average total job lands between $750 and $4,250, and many contractors also quote roughly $12 to $24 per linear foot. Stain type, wood species, surface condition, and coat count adjust the final number.
Put simply, the average cost to stain a fence is about $18 per linear foot, or roughly $2,300 for a typical 130-foot backyard fence at 6 feet tall. Shorter runs land nearer $1,000 and long or tall fences with heavy prep push past $4,000.
A 4-foot fence costs roughly a third less per linear foot than a 6-foot fence, and staining one side only roughly halves it. Full cost by fence length is broken out below.
The table below assumes a standard 6-foot-tall fence with a semi-transparent stain, priced across the typical $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of two-sided surface. Taller or shorter fences move these numbers up or down proportionally.
| Fence Length | Two-Sided Area | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 linear ft | 600 sqft | $600–$1,200 |
| 100 linear ft | 1,200 sqft | $1,200–$2,400 |
| 150 linear ft | 1,800 sqft | $1,800–$3,600 |
| 200 linear ft | 2,400 sqft | $2,400–$4,800 |
| 300 linear ft | 3,600 sqft | $3,600–$7,200 |
Fence staining typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot of one fence face, which works out to roughly $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of total two-sided surface. The average total job runs $750 to $4,250 depending on the length and height of the fence, and many contractors also quote around $12 to $24 per linear foot for a standard fence. A 150 linear foot, 6-foot-tall fence has about 1,800 square feet of two-sided surface, so a typical semi-transparent stain job lands in the middle of that range once prep, wood type, and coat count are factored in.
Most wood fences should be re-stained every 2 to 3 years to keep them protected from UV, rain, and rot. Transparent and semi-transparent stains wear faster and are on the shorter end, while solid stains can last 3 to 5 years because the opaque pigment blocks more sunlight. Fences in full sun or harsh freeze-thaw climates need staining more often than shaded or sheltered runs. New pressure-treated wood should dry out for several months before its first stain so the stain can absorb properly.
Transparent and semi-transparent stains soak into the wood and let the grain show through, giving a natural look that is easy to reapply but wears faster. Solid stain lays down an opaque, paint-like film that hides the grain, blocks the most UV, and lasts the longest, but it can peel over time and is harder to strip later. Semi-transparent is the most popular middle ground because it shows grain while still adding meaningful color and protection.
For the best protection you should stain both sides of a fence, which is why pricing is based on two-sided square footage. Staining only the visible side leaves the back exposed to moisture, so the wood can cup, warp, and gray unevenly. Sealing both faces keeps moisture movement balanced and extends the life of the fence. If a neighbor owns the far side, at minimum seal the top edges and any exposed end grain, which are the fastest to fail.
One coat is enough for newer, tight-grained wood or when you are simply refreshing an existing finish, and it keeps material and labor cost down. Two coats are worth it on thirsty pressure-treated pine, older weathered fences, and south-facing runs that take the most sun, because the second coat deepens color and adds a noticeable amount of protection and lifespan. Two coats typically add about 40 percent to the base labor and roughly double the stain needed.
DIY fence staining saves on labor but the finish is only as good as the prep. A pro washes or strips the fence, sands rough or gray boards, masks surfaces, and applies an even coat with the right sprayer and back-brushing technique, which is what makes a stain job last. For a long or tall fence, or one that is old and gray and needs stripping, hiring out is usually worth it because the prep is the hardest and most time-consuming part of the job.
The stain you choose changes both the look and the lifespan of the finish, and it moves the price. A transparent stain is the cheapest and shows the most grain but wears fastest; a solid stain costs more and hides the grain but lasts the longest. Semi-transparent sits in the middle and is the most popular choice for wood fences.
| Stain Type | Look | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent | Shows most grain, natural | 1–2 years |
| Semi-Transparent | Grain plus color | 2–3 years |
| Solid | Opaque, hides grain | 3–5 years |
Staining and sealing pair naturally with other outdoor wood work. If you also finish decks, use our deck staining calculator to price both jobs from the same visit and raise your average ticket.
This calculator helps contractors produce accurate fence staining estimates in seconds. Enter the fence length and height, pick the stain type, wood, and surface condition, set the coat count, and get a two-sided surface area, the gallons of stain needed, and a price range based on current industry rates. Use it for phone quotes, on-site estimates, or when building proposals in your CRM.
Fence staining is a natural add-on for pressure washing and exterior cleaning crews — a fence usually needs a wash before it can take stain, so you are already on the property. Many successful crews run both services and manage them from a single pressure washing CRM to capture the full property-care opportunity.
Want to manage fence staining jobs with satellite-based measurement, automated scheduling, and professional invoicing? Start your free CrewNest trial and streamline your entire operation from estimate to payment.
