Fence Staining & Painting Cost Calculator
Contractor or DIY price to stain, seal or paint your fence.
Staining a 150 ft, 6 ft privacy fence on one side runs roughly $800–$1,600 with a contractor and $350–$600 in materials if you do it yourself. Enter your fence to price yours.
Calculation Results
📌 Doing both sides costs about twice as much — check whether your neighbor will share the cost of their side.
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🛠️ How This Calculator Works
Works out the surface you are finishing from length × height × sides, adjusted for the fence style (open pickets have less face; board-on-board has more; rails add area on the back). A contractor price is that area times a per-square-foot rate for the finish plus prep for the condition; the DIY price is gallons at real coverage, cleaner and a one-day sprayer rental.
📐 Formula
Area = LF × height × sides × style factor · Pro = area × (finish rate + prep rate) · DIY = gallons × $/gal + cleaner + sprayer📝 Example Calculation
150 ft × 6 ft privacy fence, one side, semi-transparent stain, weathered: Area: 900 sq ft · 6 gallons Contractor: $810 – $1,575 · DIY: about $340 – $590
💡 Pro Tips from Fence Builders
- Let new pressure-treated wood dry out first — usually a few weeks to a couple of months; water should soak in, not bead.
- Wash and brighten weathered wood before staining so the stain soaks in evenly.
- Spray and back-brush: a sprayer lays stain fast, a brush pushes it into the grain.
- Pick a dry forecast — most stains need 24–48 hours without rain.
What sets the price of staining a fence
Painters price a fence by its surface, not its length, because a 6 ft privacy fence has twice the face of a 3 ft picket fence over the same run. Three things then move the rate: the finish (a single coat of stain is quick; two coats of paint are not), the condition of the wood (grey wood needs washing and brightening; a peeling finish has to be scraped or stripped), and whether you are doing one side or both. Rails and posts on the back add roughly a sixth to the back face.
Contractor price for one side of a 150 ft, 6 ft privacy fence
| Finish | Weathered wood | Lasts about |
|---|---|---|
| Clear / transparent sealer | $680 – $1,305 | 1–2 years |
| Semi-transparent stain | $810 – $1,575 | 2–4 years |
| Solid-colour stain | $990 – $1,845 | 4–6 years |
| Exterior paint | $1,170 – $2,295 | 5–8 years |
Planning ranges from the calculator above. The cheapest finish to apply is rarely the cheapest to own: divide the price by the years it lasts and a solid stain often beats a clear sealer.
DIY: what you actually buy
- Stain or paint at real coverage on rough fence boards — 150–225 sq ft per gallon per coat.
- Cleaner or brightener for weathered wood, about a gallon per 250 sq ft; stripper if the old finish is peeling.
- A sprayer — a pump sprayer for stain, or an airless sprayer rental for a day for a long run or paint.
- Brushes, drop cloths and tape to protect plants, siding and the neighbor's side.
Work out exact gallons for your product with the fence stain calculator, and see our picks in the best fence stain and best paint sprayer for fences guides.
Timing and prep that make the finish last
New pressure-treated lumber is wet from the treatment plant — give it a few weeks to a couple of months, until a splash of water soaks in instead of beading. Cedar can usually be finished sooner. Wash off mildew and grey fibres, rinse, let the fence dry for a couple of days, and stain in shade or on a mild overcast day so the finish does not flash-dry. The fence staining guide walks through each step, and the fence maintenance guide covers the schedule after that.
Related calculators
Pricing a new fence instead? Try the wood fence calculator or the fence replacement cost calculator. Vinyl, aluminum and composite never need staining — compare them in the fence comparison tool.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to stain a fence?
For a 150 ft, 6 ft privacy fence, a contractor typically charges about $800–$1,600 to wash and stain one side with a semi-transparent stain, or about $1,750–$3,400 for both sides. Doing it yourself costs roughly $350–$600 in stain, cleaner and a sprayer rental per side.
How much does it cost to paint a fence?
Paint takes two coats and more prep, so it runs higher: about $1.30–$2.55 per square foot of fence with a contractor, or roughly $1,200–$2,300 for one side of a 150 ft, 6 ft fence. Paint lasts longer between coats than stain but peels when it fails.
How much stain do I need for a fence?
Rough-sawn fence boards take about 150–200 sq ft per gallon for a semi-transparent stain. One side of a 150 ft, 6 ft privacy fence is 900 sq ft — about 5–6 gallons. The fence stain calculator works it out for any size and product.
Is it cheaper to stain or paint a fence?
Stain is cheaper to put on and easier to redo, because it soaks in and wears away rather than peeling. Paint costs more up front but lasts longer between coats. Solid stain sits in between.
How often should a fence be stained?
About every 2–4 years for semi-transparent stain, 4–6 for solid stain and 5–8 for paint, sooner on sunny south-facing runs.
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