Cost to Stain a Fence

How Much Does Staining a Fence Cost?

Does your garden fence need staining and you're wondering how much it costs to stain a fence?

Where fences are concerned, moisture is the main enemy and staining or painting the fence will create a barrier that will prevent moisture from damaging the wood.

To keep a wooden fence looking its best and to protect it from the elements, you need to either paint or stain it every 2 to 3 years as a way to replace the previous layer of stain.

The average cost to stain a fence is around £400 for material and labour costs for a contractor to do the work.

In this guide, we break down fence painting costs, including the average hourly rate for fence painting, how much fence paint or stain you’ll need, and the price of hiring garden fence painters for different types of fences.

How often you should paint or stain your fence will mostly depend on the weather, as wet regions will need staining more frequently. Most experts recommend staining fences once every 2 to 3 years, but you can check for beading yourself, as this gives a good indication of when the stain or paint needs to be re-applied.

On a stained and sealed fence, water should bead up on the surface, but if the water soaks in instead, it may be time for staining.

There is some debate amongst experts in terms of whether painting or staining is best. But either will provide protection and extend the life of your fence, so this is mostly a personal choice, however, painting a fence is usually less expensive.

Still, it may require doing more often, plus more preparation is generally needed before re-painting. Whereas staining is typically more expensive initially but lasts longer, and there is less ongoing work involved.

Staining is not a difficult job, but it is time-consuming, so many will hire a local contractor to do the job for them.

Getting quotes early will give you the best idea of what’s realistic. You don’t need to be ready to start work before chatting with a local fence painting service!

Rather than waste time searching for reliable tradespeople and sorting through all the cowboys, simply fill in a single form on this website to have tradespeople get in touch to supply quotes so you can easily compare prices for your job.

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Fence Staining Prices

Below is a table with the typical cost and timeframe for a contractor to stain average and larger-sized fences, depending on the height of the panels and the type of stain used:

Supply Costs Only

If you're taking this on as a DIY project, then you'll need to check out the various supply costs of materials and equipment for the job. This can differ depending on the size and type of fence you're staining, and the type of fence stain and other painting equipment you use.

Below is a table with the average costs for the most common supplies needed for staining a typical wooden garden fence:

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Labour Costs and Timescales

If you have sourced your fence-staining supplies yourself but want to hire someone to stain the fence for you, the labour costs will typically depend on the size of your fence and your location.

The average UK handyman will charge between £180 and £220 a day, but tradespeople in London and the South East can charge around £80 to £100 more per day.

Our table below gives you an idea of the typical labour costs for staining a fence, based on the fence size and your location.

It's worth mentioning that, as well as the size of the fence and your location, there are a number of other factors that could increase your fence staining costs, which we cover in more detail below.

To make sure you're getting the best price for your fence staining project, it's always a good idea to get a number of quotes.

Get free quotes from fence painters near you on MyJobQuote. It's quick, easy, and there's no obligation to go ahead.

Factors Affecting Fence Staining Costs

Size of Fence

The larger the size of the fence means more fence panels to stain, taking longer to complete and adding up labour costs. Smaller fences typically cost between £140 and £200, whilst large fences can cost between £200 and £350.

Type of Stain

There are several different types of staining options to choose from. Oil stains are the most common option and can be cheaper at around £10 to £20 for a 5L bucket, whereas gel stains are also pretty standard at approximately £15 to £25.

Dye-based stain finishes typically cost around £20 to £35 per 5L.

Application Method

The application method also affects the cost. Spraying is faster for large runs but can use more product and needs masking to avoid overspray. Rolling and brushing are slower and more labour-intensive, but give better control and coverage on rough or weathered wood.

Fence Condition

The condition of your fence could impact how much it costs to get it stained. There may be labour needed to clean and prepare the fence before staining, repair work to fill in any gaps and fix loose boards, or multiple coats required for old or bare wood fences - all of which will increase the costs.

Access, Layout and Timing

If panels are hard to reach, overgrown, or on both sides of a narrow path, expect a higher labour time. Weather and season also matter, with painters often prefer dry, calm days, and some may charge slightly more in peak months.

Location

As with most labour and contractor work, your location within the UK can alter the price of jobs around the home or garden. With the average price usually being hiked up an extra £80 to £100 for those living in London and the surrounding areas.

Additional Costs to Consider

Repairing Damaged Fence Panels

Before staining your fence, you should check the condition of the panels and posts. Any broken, warped, or rotting boards need to be repaired or replaced first to ensure the stain adheres properly and lasts longer.

If only a few panels are damaged, a fence panel replacement usually costs around £40 to £60 per panel, including materials and labour. Replacing damaged posts or re-securing loose panels may add £80 to £150 depending on access and the number of repairs needed.

Cleaning & Preparing the Fence

To get the best possible finish, you need to make sure that your fence is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, moss, or flaky old stain, so the new stain can be absorbed properly.

This can be done using a brush or a jet wash, and your painter is likely to charge around £2 to £5 a linear metre to do this.

Garden Clearance

If it's been a while since your fence was last stained, or your garden has got a little out of control, your contractor may need to clear away weeds, brambles, or anything else that's blocking access to your fence.

While this isn't a big job in most cases, getting basic garden waste removed and properly disposed of, could add £40 to £80.

Number of Coats & Sides

The majority of fences might be fine with one coat of stain, especially if you restain your fence regularly. However, older timber, bare wood, and colour changes could need a couple of coats, and possibly more, increasing costs by 20% to 50%.

Typical fence staining costs are also only for staining one side of the fence, which is the case for most projects, but labour and material costs could increase 50% to 100% if you need both sides of the fence staining.

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What's Involved in Fence Staining?

A well-maintained wooden fence will last many years if maintained properly, but if not painted or stained every few years, it will quickly rot, look awful and will eventually fall over in heavy winds.

Staining a fence is a simple process which the majority of experienced tradespeople can complete with ease.

Below is a step-by-step guide on what is involved when staining a fence:

Cleaning

Cleaning beforehand is needed when you're staining an old fence, but if your fence has recently been installed, then this won't be necessary as it should already be fresh and clean.

This can be done quickly by mixing together a multi-use cleaning solution with water and applying it to the fence with a hard wire brush, scrubbing off all the dirt, mould, cobwebs and debris with care, leaving it to dry thoroughly before staining.

Fill in Gaps for Watertight Fence

This is important to make sure that your fence is protected from water and to avoid having to re-stain your exterior even sooner than expected.

Make sure to fill up any open holes, gaps or wide cracks with wood filler to protect your fence from rain and bad weather conditions. Again, make sure to dry thoroughly before moving on.

Smoothing Surface

Once again, this will probably need doing when staining a fence which you've had for a while, but if you've bought a new fence, then the surface should be smooth.

This can be done by sanding down the wood with sandpaper to get rid of chips and shavings for a simple staining process.

Staining

Staining can be done simply with your materials and a paintbrush. Make sure to evenly apply your chosen stain to each fence panel, allowing it to dry before re-applying or touching the fence.

It's also best to leave the job until a warm and dry day to avoid weather conditions messing up your staining.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Fence Staining

Before you paint or stain your fence, you may want to make sure that it's your fence to treat. Many are not entirely sure which fence is their responsibility and which is their neighbour's.

So, when it comes to repairs and maintenance, you need to find out who is responsible for what.

There is no law about who owns the boundaries around your property and which side of the fence you are responsible for, but you could check the deeds to your home to find out if there are any boundary agreements in place.

Choosing a Fence Stain

When deciding on the right wood stain for you, it's essential to research each different type and how they can benefit your fencing. Each stain holds various chemicals to differentiate between types, offering separate results depending on what you need/prefer.

Below is a list of different types of fence stains.

Oil Stain Cost

This is the most common type of fence stains because they are a reasonable price, clean up easily and offer durable protection throughout all weather types. The typical cost of an oil stain is around £10 to £15 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ Cost-effective
• ✔ Easy to clean
• ✔ Good UV protection

Cons

• ✖ Susceptible for mould and mildew
• ✖ High maintenance

Gel Stain Cost

Gel stains are applied similarly to oil stains but with a thicker texture, which can make the method slightly harder but end with a more refined finish. It's essential to make sure these are applied with as much precision as possible as they dry fast and don't give you a lot of time to alter anything.

The typical price of a gel stain is around £16 to £20 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ Smooth finish
• ✔ Easy to use

Cons

• ✖ Harder to apply
• ✖ Quick-drying

Dye Stain Cost

Dye stains are very different from typical staining as they're produced in powder form which has to be manually added to water before using by yourself. The regular price of a dye stain is around £20 to £25.

Pros

• ✔ Vibrant colour finish
• ✔ Penetrates deeper into wood
• ✔ Easy to clean

Cons

• ✖ Prone to fading
• ✖ High maintenance

Benefits of Using Fence Stain

Painting a fence isn't difficult, but doing the job properly can be time-consuming and repetitive. The work is definitely worth it, as a proper paint job won't just give your fence a facelift, it will actually extend the life of the fence by protecting it from the elements.

Below is a list of reasons why it's a good idea to stain your fences regularly:

Protection from Elements

Staining your fence is one of the best ways to protect your exterior from the unpredictable nature of outdoor elements and unpredictable weather conditions.

It's not uncommon for rain, frost and even sun to cause damage to wooden fences due to mould, drying up rotting or dampness. Regularly staining is one of the best and easiest ways you can make sure your fence stays long-lasting and protected through waterproofing features.

Durable

Your fencing will last a lot longer if you routinely stain it, ensuring that the wood stays dry and well-put. This is ideal, especially if the wood is high-quality and you want a longer investment.

Limit UV Damage

Staining can help to safeguard fences from direct sunlight because UV damage can damage the fence's colour over time. If you live in a warmer climate or sunny area, then you'll need to stain your wood regularly every few years to ensure lasting protection.

Kerb Appeal

Some people choose to stain their fences due to the aesthetically pleasing finish that it offers, leaving your wood looking glossy and attractive. A regular stained fence can match various decor and colours throughout your garden and appear neat and attractive.

Cost of Removing Fence Stain

Removing fence stains may be needed if your fence has changed colour due to bad weather conditions, resulting in mould, damp, mildew and dirt buildup.

The average cost of cleaning and preparing a medium-to-large fence is £400, but prices can range from £250 to £1,000 depending on the size of fence and method of removal.

Given the complexity and time-consuming nature of the task, many homeowners opt to hire professionals to ensure a high-quality finish.

Hiring Contractors to Stain a Fence Checklist

Hiring a contractor to work in your home is something that should be considered thoroughly, so you don't miss out on any options and pick the right person for you.

Below is a general checklist of what to look out for when hiring someone to stain your fence.

• Ask for samples of staining options to ensure you've picked the right one for your home and environment, as well as checking for the quality and pricing.
• Make sure that your contractor has all the essential training and has completed similar previous jobs like this before.
• Compare prices and quotes between various contractors so you can see if anyone's price sticks out as odd.
• Ask to speak to previous clients and look at references, reviews and pictures of their previous work to ensure your contractor is trusted.
• Check to see if they're part of a trade association and are insured.
• Compile a price list and receipt together before settling on payment so you can visualise what will be included in their services and for what price.