Fence staining and painting costs $750 to $4,250 per project in 2026
Fence staining and painting costs $750 to $4,250 per project in 2026. HomeAdvisor lists an average of $1,700. Angi lists $1,900 for staining, with most people paying $1,400 to $2,200. Inch Calculator lists a $2,000 average. Price per foot runs from about $3 to $14. Fence length, height, style, and prep work move the final bill the most. Ask for a quote.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Angi | Angi lists an average of $1,900 to stain a fence, most people paying $1,400 to $2,200, and $4 to $14 per linear foot. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor lists an average of $1,700, a range of $750 to $4,250, and $3 to $14 per linear foot. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists $1,000 to $4,000 with a typical $2,000 for a 209 foot privacy fence painted on both sides, updated January 2025. |
| Inch Calculator | Inch Calculator lists a national average of $2,000, a range of $750 to $4,000, and $5 to $14 per foot for a 6 foot privacy fence. |
Fence staining and painting prices by size and type
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average project | $1,700 | HomeAdvisor |
| Average to stain | $1,900 | Angi |
| Average project | $2,000 | Inch Calculator |
| 20 linear feet | $180 to $250 | Angi |
| 100 linear feet | $550 to $1,300 | Angi |
| 400 linear feet | $2,000 to $4,800 | Angi |
| Wood picket, per foot | $2 to $5 | HomeAdvisor |
| Privacy fence, per foot | $5 to $14 | Inch Calculator |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fence length | Cost grows with every foot, and Angi says there are no volume discounts. It lists $550 to $1,300 for 100 feet and $2,000 to $4,800 for 400 feet. |
| Fence style | Plain fences cost less than fancy ones. HomeAdvisor lists wood picket at $2 to $5 a foot and shadow box at $4 to $14 a foot. |
| Prep work | Old fences need cleaning and fixes first. HomeAdvisor lists pressure washing at $150 to $300 and repairs at $300 to $900. |
| Both sides | Doing both sides of the fence costs more. Angi says it adds about 80 percent to the cost, which is a little less than double. |
| Labor rate | Pros charge by the hour in some areas. Angi lists $50 to $110 an hour, HomeAdvisor lists $25 to $100, and Fixr lists $40 to $60. |
What the price includes
A quote usually covers the stain or paint, the labor, and basic prep like light cleaning. Pressure washing, repairs, and sanding often cost extra. Painting needs primer and two coats, while stain usually needs one coat, says HomeAdvisor. Ask if the price is for one side or both, and who buys the stain. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Fence staining is done by painters, handymen, and lawn or home service crews. Many bill by the linear foot or by the square foot, and some bill by the hour. Angi lists hourly labor at $50 to $110. HomeAdvisor lists $25 to $100. Fixr lists $40 to $60. Prep work, like washing and repairs, is often added as its own line. Ask for a written quote that shows the price per foot, the coats, and the prep. Compare at least three bids.
When you need this
Stain protects wood from sun and rain. Look at your fence each year. If water no longer beads on the boards, or the wood looks gray, dry, or patchy, it is time. Inch Calculator says stain needs a new coat every 2 to 3 years. A new fence should dry for a few weeks before it is stained.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price is for one side or both sides.
- Ask if cleaning, repairs, and sanding are in the quote.
- Ask who buys the stain, and which brand and color.
- Ask how many coats and how long the stain should last.
- Compare the total with the range above: $750 to $4,250 per project for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Do the prep yourself. Cleaning and light repairs cut labor time, and HomeAdvisor lists pressure washing alone at $150 to $300 if you hire it out.
- Stain one side if the other side faces a wall or nothing at all. Angi says both sides add about 80 percent to the cost.
- Get three quotes with the fence length in feet. Prices per foot run $3 to $14, so a clear written quote helps you compare.
- Buy the stain yourself. HomeAdvisor lists paint and stain at $20 to $80 a gallon, and Angi lists DIY stain at $20 to $50.
- Think about paint over stain. Inch Calculator says stain needs a new coat every 2 to 3 years, while paint can last up to 10.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr and Inch Calculator. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to stain a fence?
Angi lists an average of $1,900, with most people paying $1,400 to $2,200. HomeAdvisor lists $1,700 and a range of $750 to $4,250. Inch Calculator lists $2,000.
How much does fence staining cost per foot?
Angi lists $4 to $14 per linear foot. HomeAdvisor lists $3 to $14. Fixr lists $2.25 to $10 for one side. The fence style sets where in the range you land.
Is it cheaper to stain or paint a fence?
Inch Calculator says stain costs more but paint lasts longer. It says stain needs a new coat every 2 to 3 years, and paint can last up to 10.
How much does it cost to stain both sides of a fence?
Angi says staining both sides adds about 80 percent to the project cost. That is a little less than double the one side price.
Do I need to pressure wash first?
Often yes. HomeAdvisor lists pressure washing at $150 to $300. Fixr lists it at $125 to $235. A clean fence helps stain soak in and last longer.