How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Fence in Oklahoma?

The math, spelled out

Most fence stainers price by area, and so do we. A 6-foot fence is about 6 square feet of surface for every linear foot on each side. Stain both sides, which we recommend, and that is roughly 12 square feet per linear foot. At about $1 per square foot, that is where the $12 per linear foot figure comes from. Stain one side only and you are closer to $6 per linear foot.

Estimates for planning only. Prep, obstacles, and product change the number, so we quote every fence flat after a look.

What moves the price

• Size. By far the biggest factor. Taller and longer means more square footage to cover.
• Prep. New wood takes stain directly. Old, grayed wood usually needs a separate wood-brightening and power-wash trip first. That is essentially its own job before we stain, and it is the single most common reason one fence costs more than another the same size.
• Obstacles. Fence set in concrete, delicate plants tight against the boards, or a steep slope all add masking and labor.
• Product. We use Wood Defender, a professional-grade penetrating stain, as our standard. Other brands, if you want them matched to what is already on the fence, can cost a little more.

Is staining worth the cost?

Here is the honest way to look at it. Building a wood fence in this area runs somewhere around $20 to $30 or more per linear foot. Staining adds roughly 30 to 40 percent on top of that, and in return your fence holds its color for three to four years instead of graying out in about six months. You are protecting a purchase you already made. Skip it and the sun does its work fast: the luster is fading by month six, and it reads as a gray fence inside a year. See whether your cedar fence is worth staining if yours is already older.

DIY versus hiring a pro

If you have the time and a sprayer, staining your own fence is doable, and the product cost alone is a fraction of a pro job. The tradeoff is the day or two of work, the prep, and getting the moisture and application right so it lasts. We break down the DIY side in our guides on the cost to stain a fence and how much stain you need. When you would rather have it handled with a warranty behind it, that is what we do.

Fence staining cost questions

How much does it cost to stain a fence per linear foot?

About $12 per linear foot on a standard 6-foot fence stained on both sides, which works out to roughly $1 per square foot. Staining only one side runs closer to half that.

How much does it cost to stain a 150-foot fence?

Ballpark $1,800 for a 6-foot fence stained both sides, before adjustments for prep and obstacles. We quote it flat after we see the fence so there are no surprises.

Does an old fence cost more to stain than a new one?

Usually yes. New wood takes stain directly. Old, grayed wood normally needs a separate wood-brightening and power-wash trip first, which is essentially its own job and adds labor.

Is transparent or semi-transparent cheaper?

They cost about the same to apply. Semi-transparent lasts a year or two longer per cycle, so it is cheaper over time. Transparent shows the grain better but needs a fresh coat sooner.

Does staining both sides cost double?

Close to it, because it is roughly double the surface area. We still recommend both sides. It is the only way to get the full protection the stain is meant to give.

Do you charge for a quote?

No. Quotes are free, and we give you a flat number for the job, not a running hourly meter.