Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Total fence staining cost
$480
Prep (wash/sand) labor
$135
All-in cost per linear ft
$3.20
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How to use this
- 1Enter fence length (linear ft).
- 2Enter fence height.
- 3Enter prep (wash/sand) rate ($/ft).
- 4Enter stain material rate ($/ft).
- 5Enter application labor rate ($/ft).
- 6Read your total fence staining cost on the right — it updates as you type.
- 7Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Fence staining is typically priced per linear foot rather than per square foot, since most residential fence heights fall in a narrow 4-6 foot range and contractors find linear footage a simpler field measurement. Pricing includes stain material, surface prep (pressure washing and any sanding of rough or weathered boards), and application labor, all of which scale with fence height and condition. 2026 US national averages run roughly $2-$4 per linear foot for a standard 6-foot privacy fence, including prep and one coat of semi-transparent stain, with taller fences, two-coat applications, or heavily weathered wood needing extra prep pushing toward $4-$7 per linear foot. This calculator totals prep, stain, and labor by linear footage with a height adjustment, so you can benchmark a painter's quote; picket fences (shorter, more surface detail per foot) and privacy fences (taller, simpler surface) price differently even at the same linear footage, which the height multiplier here accounts for.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Fence length: 150 linear ft
- Fence height: Standard privacy (6 ft)
- Prep (wash/sand) rate: 0.9 $/ft
- Stain material rate: 0.8 $/ft
- Application labor rate: 1.5 $/ft
Results
- Total fence staining cost: $480
- Prep (wash/sand) labor: $135
- All-in cost per linear ft: $3.20
What each field means
Inputs
- Fence length (linear ft)
- The fence length used in the calculation, measured in linear ft. Starts at 150 linear ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 20–800 linear ft.
- Fence height
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: Picket (3-4 ft), Standard privacy (6 ft), Tall privacy (8 ft).
- Prep (wash/sand) rate ($/ft)
- The prep (wash/sand) rate used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 0.9 $/ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–2.5 $/ft.
- Stain material rate ($/ft)
- The stain material rate used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 0.8 $/ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0.2–2 $/ft.
- Application labor rate ($/ft)
- The application labor rate used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 1.5 $/ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0.5–4 $/ft.
Results
- Total fence staining cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Prep (wash/sand) labor
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- All-in cost per linear ft
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
How often should a wood fence be stained?
Semi-transparent stains typically need reapplication every 2-3 years, while solid stains can last 3-5 years; fences with heavy sun or sprinkler exposure often need refreshing on the shorter end of those ranges.
Should I pressure wash before staining?
Yes — a thorough wash removes dirt, mildew, and old flaking stain that would otherwise prevent new stain from bonding properly; most professional quotes include washing 24-48 hours before staining to allow the wood to dry.
New fence — how long should I wait before staining?
Pressure-treated lumber typically needs 30-90 days to dry out enough for stain to properly absorb; a quick water-bead test (splash water on the wood — if it beads up, it's not ready) is a simple way to check readiness.
One side or both sides — does staining both sides cost double?
Most fence staining quotes price the visible/finished side only by default; staining both sides (common for shared-fence situations) typically adds 60-80% rather than a full 100%, since setup and prep are partially shared.
Accuracy and limitations
- Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.
- Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.
- This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant.
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Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Fence Staining Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fence-staining-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fence-staining-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fence Staining Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Fence Staining Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fence-staining-cost) (2026).