Fence staining costs $1,400 to $2,200 for most homes, a $1,900 national average per Angi – and the other two references land within $300 of that average: $1,700 at HomeGuide and $2,000 at Fixr.1,2,3 Rates run $2 to $14 per linear foot, with height, sides and fence style setting where you land.1,2,3*
$1,900
national average, Angi
$2 – $14
per linear foot, pro
$0.35 – $2.50
per sq ft, both models
$130 – $430
DIY 100 ft, HomeGuide
Quick math: three sources, three different pricing models – yet the national averages cluster tight: $1,700 (HomeGuide), $1,900 (Angi), $2,000 (Fixr). Budget from $1,700 to $2,000 for a typical 100 to 200 ft privacy fence, then adjust for height and whether both sides get coated.
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026. Watch the sides: Fixr quotes one side, then doubles it – most fences need both faces.
| Measure | Angi1 | HomeGuide2 | Fixr3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical total | $1,400 – $2,200 (avg $1,900) | $300 – $2,800 (avg $1,700) | $1,000 – $4,000 (avg $2,000) |
| Per linear foot | $4 – $14 | $2 – $14 | $2.25 – $10 one side; $4.50 – $20 both |
| Per square foot | – | $0.50 – $2.50 | $0.35 – $0.90 |
| Per 8 ft panel | – | $25 – $110 | – |
| 100 ft, pro | $400 – $1,400 (our math) | $200 – $1,400 | $450 low-end stain job |
| 200 ft, pro | $800 – $2,800 (our math) | $400 – $2,800 | – |
| DIY 100 ft | – | $130 – $430 | – |
| Minimum job fee | – | $250 – $500 | – |
Where they disagree: the averages agree ($1,700 to $2,000) but the unit rates do not. Per square foot, Fixr’s $0.35 to $0.90 is a third of HomeGuide’s $0.50 to $2.50 – because Fixr prices simple flat-stock jobs while HomeGuide’s top rates cover complex styles like lattice and shadowbox. Per linear foot, Angi and HomeGuide both span $2 to $14; Fixr’s $2.25 to $10 is one side only, so a both-sides quote at $4.50 to $20 exceeds Angi’s band. Angi also notes fence staining carries no volume discount – the per-foot rate holds whether you have 20 feet or 200.1,2,3
What pushes the price up
Both sides: coating both faces doubles material and most of the labor – Fixr prices one side at $2.25 to $10 per linear foot and both at $4.50 to $20.3
Height: per-linear-foot rates climb with height; a 6 ft privacy fence costs far more than a 4 ft picket at the same length. Multiply length by height for square footage before comparing quotes.3
Style: split-rail and flat board fences are cheapest; lattice, shadowbox and intricate designs cost the most per Angi – more surface, more cutting in.1
Condition and prep: washing, stripping old finish and repairs add to every quote; Fixr’s $450 low end assumes a previously stained fence in good shape.2,3
Three worked examples (we did the math)
| Project | Cost basis | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 150 LF fence, one side, Angi rate | 150 x $4 – $14 – our math | $600 – $2,100 (HomeGuide 150 ft pro: $300 – $2,100) |
| 150 LF fence, both sides, Fixr rate | 150 x $4.50 – $20 – our math | $675 – $3,000 |
| 150 LF x 6 ft = 900 sq ft, HomeGuide sq-ft rate | 900 x $0.50 – $2.50 – our math | $450 – $2,250 (cross-checks the per-LF band) |
These are example projects, not quotes – length, height, sides, style and condition set the real number.
Related guides and tools
Fence cost | Deck staining cost | Pressure washing cost | Fence cost calculator
Interior Painting Cost
FAQ
How much does fence staining cost? $1,400 to $2,200 for most homes per Angi ($1,900 average), with pro rates of $2 to $14 per linear foot. HomeGuide and Fixr average $1,700 and $2,000 for typical jobs.1,2,3
Stain or paint – which costs more? Comparable per square foot; stain soaks in and needs no primer, while paint needs primer but hides flaws. Fixr’s $0.35 to $0.90 per sq ft covers either.3
Is DIY fence staining worth it? A 100 ft fence costs $130 to $430 in materials DIY versus $200 to $1,400 pro per HomeGuide – real savings on simple board fences, less so on lattice or tall privacy runs that eat weekends.2
How often should a fence be stained? Every 2 to 3 years for most climates; south-facing runs weather faster. That is our rule of thumb, not from the cited sources.1
Sources
- Angi – How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Fence
- HomeGuide – Cost to Stain or Paint a Fence
- Fixr – Fence Painting Cost
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by fence length, height, sides coated, style, condition and region. Get at least three itemized quotes.