How Much Does Fence Staining Cost in San Antonio?
A Texas-published cost guide puts fence staining in Austin at $3 to $5 per linear foot. It comes from a fence company up I-35 from San Antonio. That guide lists $700 to $2,000 for an average backyard fence of 150 to 400 feet.
National cost guides price the job a few ways. Homewyse says the national average cost starts at $1.38 to $2.76 per square foot. Another national cost guide lists $2 to $14 per linear foot to stain or paint a fence. For an average 150 foot fence, it puts power washing and staining at $530 to $2,600.
These are market numbers, not our price list. Our services start at $299, and estimates are free.
How much does fence staining cost per linear foot?
Cost guides often price fence staining by the linear foot, which is the length of the fence. Height changes the rate.
The national cost guide gives rates by height to stain or paint a fence. A 6 foot fence runs $4 to $9 per linear foot. A 4 foot fence runs less, and an 8 foot fence runs more.
The Austin guide lands at $3 to $5 per linear foot. We price fence staining after we look at the fence itself.
What do published fence staining prices look like?
Some guides quote a rate per foot or per square foot. Others give a price for the whole fence.
| Pricing basis | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National average, per square foot | Starts at $1.38 to $2.76 | Homewyse, September 2026 |
| Stain or paint, per square foot | $0.50 to $2.50 | National cost guide |
| Stain or paint, per linear foot | $2 to $14 | National cost guide |
| 4 foot fence, stain or paint, per linear foot | $2 to $7 | National cost guide |
| 6 foot fence, stain or paint, per linear foot | $4 to $9 | National cost guide |
| 8 foot fence, stain or paint, per linear foot | $5 to $11 | National cost guide |
| Power washing and staining, per linear foot | $3.50 to $17.00 | National cost guide |
| Power washing and staining, average 150 foot fence | $530 to $2,600 | National cost guide |
| Stain or paint a fence, national average | $1,700 (range $300 to $2,800) | National cost guide |
| Fence staining in Austin, per linear foot | $3 to $5 | Austin fence company’s guide |
| Average backyard fence of 150 to 400 feet, Austin | $700 to $2,000 | Austin fence company’s guide |
Each row is a published market figure, not our price list. The national cost guide prices painting and staining together. Its rates vary by fence type, size and condition.
What changes the price of fence staining?
Fence length sets the base price. These details move it up or down from there.
Height. The Austin guide says larger or taller fences need more stain and labor. A taller fence has more wood in every foot of its length.
One side or both. A remodeling cost guide lists $2.25 to $10 per linear foot to paint or stain a fence. It says that cost doubles for most fences, because both sides need coverage. Ask whether a quote covers one side or both.
Gates. Each gate adds a frame and edges to work around. A fence with several gates takes longer than an open run of pickets.
Wood type. Cedar and pine pickets make up the standard Texas backyard fence. The Austin guide says cedar is less porous than pine, so it takes less stain.
Condition. Gray, weathered wood and green growth need a wash before stain goes on. The Austin guide says power washing adds $100 to $300 to the cost.
Stain type. The Austin guide says transparent stain is the cheapest but needs frequent reapplication. It calls semi-transparent stain the most cost-efficient.
Coats. The remodeling cost guide says most stain makers advise two thin coats. A second coat adds stain and labor to the job.
These factors stack. A tall fence with gates and gray wood, stained on both sides, costs more than a short, clean run.
Does a fence need a wash before staining?
Yes, if the wood is gray or dirty. Stain only holds on clean, dry wood, so the gray and the growth come off first.
That is why the job starts with deck and fence cleaning. The wash strips the gray and the growth. The wood then dries all the way through before any stain goes on.
Cost guides build that wash into the budget. The national cost guide puts power washing and staining at $3.50 to $17.00 per linear foot. Homewyse lists a power wash as a separate line in its fence staining calculator. For washing prices on their own, see our guide to what pressure washing costs in San Antonio.
Is it cheaper to stain a fence yourself?
On materials, yes. The Austin guide puts DIY staining at $150 to $400 in materials. The national cost guide lists fence stain at $20 to $50 a gallon.
Labor is where most of the money goes. The remodeling cost guide says labor is typically the bulk of the cost. It puts materials as low as $0.05 to $0.20 per square foot. The Austin guide says Austin crews average $30 to $50 an hour.
A DIY job follows the same steps. The fence still needs a wash and time to dry before the first coat. The savings come from doing that labor yourself.
How often does a fence need restaining in Texas sun?
The Austin guide gives a rule of thumb for its climate. It says to budget for restaining every 2 to 3 years with semi-transparent stain. With solid stain, it says up to 5 years.
The same guide says hot summers and humid storms take a toll on wood fences. The remodeling cost guide says stain lasts about 3 to 4 years. These are rules of thumb for stain products, not a promise for any one fence.
Does staining a fence cost less than painting it?
Per gallon, stain costs less in the national cost guide. It lists fence stain at $20 to $50 a gallon and paint at $30 to $80.
Paint lasts longer in the remodeling cost guide, at 5 to 6 years against 3 to 4 for stain. Both of those guides price painting and staining together, so their per foot ranges cover both jobs. Duck Property Care cleans and stains fences, so our estimates cover those two jobs.
How do you get a real price for your fence?
A published range cannot see your fence. Our price depends on its length and height, one side or both, and the shape the wood is in. We also stain wood decks and restore weathered gray fences. Our deck staining cost guide covers deck prices.
We are based in San Antonio and work the San Antonio to Austin corridor. Our services start at $299, with financing on larger projects. Estimates for our fence staining service are free. Call or text (512) 905-8038 to set one up.