What fence staining costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Picket fence Per linear foot | $2–$5 |
| Privacy fence Per linear foot | Up to about $10 |
| Full published range Per linear foot | $2–$14 |
| Typical project | $650–$2,200 |
| Labor rate | $50–$110 / hr |
What moves the price
- Height and style. A 6-foot privacy fence has about twice the surface of a 3-foot picket fence per foot of length, and lattice or shadowbox styles add more.
- One side or both. Staining your side only is common; the neighbor's side needs their agreement and access.
- Prep. Cleaning a gray fence is quick; removing peeling paint or solid stain is slow.
- Spray or brush. Spraying is fast but needs masking and back-brushing to soak in; brushing takes longer and costs more.
- Landscaping. Shrubs and beds along the fence line slow the work and need protecting.
How a fence is stained
- Fix loose boards, leaning posts and a sagging gate first. See fence post repair and fence gate repair.
- Clean the fence and brighten weathered wood; let it dry for a day or two.
- Protect plants, hardscape and the house with drop cloths and masking.
- Apply stain top to bottom, working the full height of a few boards at a time and back-brushing sprayed stain.
- Stain cut ends and the tops of posts well; that is where water gets in.
New fences
New pressure-treated boards need time to dry before they will take stain, often several weeks to a few months. Water soaking in rather than beading is the sign it is ready. Cedar can usually be stained sooner.
Repair before you stain
Stain will not fix a fence that is failing at the posts. If boards are rotting at the bottom or posts lean, repair first; see fence repair cost. For decks, see deck staining cost.
Common questions
How often should a fence be stained?
Usually every three to five years for semi-transparent stain, depending on sun and weather. Fences last longer between coats than decks because they are vertical.
Do I need my neighbor's permission to stain my fence?
For your own side, generally not. To stain their side you need their permission and access. On a shared boundary fence, agree on the color and cost first.
Is it cheaper to paint or stain a fence?
Stain is usually cheaper to apply and much easier to maintain, because it wears gradually instead of peeling.
Related guides
Compiled from published 2026 national cost data (Angi, HomeGuide, Inch Calculator, Ergeon). We update these figures as we complete jobs.