How Much Does It Cost To Stain A Deck?

Cost to stain a deck

If you’re staining your deck on your own (or with some helpful volunteers), you can ballpark your overall cost by multiplying the square footage of your deck by the national average of $3 per square foot. You’ll have to factor in their hourly rate if you hire a contractor or handyman.

Here are the calculated prices for some of the most common deck sizes. Prices are calculated assuming a simple deck with no built-in furniture:

• Cost to stain a 8'x10' deck: $240
• Cost to stain a 10'x20' deck: $600
• Cost to stain a 10'x10 deck: $300
• Cost to stain a 12’x12’ deck: $432

Types of deck stain

There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing your deck stain — the type of stain (water or oil-based) and what level of transparency you prefer. Oil-based stains are known for weathering better, but they’re messier and take longer to apply than water-based stains. Transparency is a style choice — if you want to see more of the wood grain, choose a more transparent stain.

Labor cost to stain a deck

When you take your car to the mechanic, it’s not the parts that result in an expensive bill — it’s the labor. The same goes for your deck staining project. If you decide to hire a professional, you can expect to pay between $1 to $7 per square foot, depending on the level of complexity. If you want to have an older deck refinished, the labor costs will be higher to have a pro strip, sand, and stain your deck.

DIY deck staining vs hiring a professional

Staining a deck is a fun DIY project for people who don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty. All you need to get started are a paintbrush and a wood stain that works well for your deck type and the weather it’s exposed to throughout the year.  

You’ll likely need to carve out a few days in your schedule to stain a moderately-sized deck. The process takes a bit to complete between painting and the time the paint takes to dry between coats. Set aside a weekend, stock a cooler with your favorite cold drinks, and enjoy some time outside.

If your budget allows, hiring a professional contractor or handyman can help you save time — and a sore back from all that leaning over and painting. Consider hiring a professional to come in while you’re away for a few days so you can come home to a beautifully stained deck.

Cost of other deck treatments

There are a few different types of deck treatments, and it’s important to know the costs before you start your project. Read on for a quick rundown of deck treatment costs.

Cost to restain a deck

The process is more straightforward if you’re staining a brand new deck because you don’t need to worry about sanding, power washing, or stripping the old finish. Restaining an older deck includes a few extra steps.

Restaining a deck that’s in good condition is a simple process. With a thorough powerwash, you can apply stain and sealant to a clean, dry surface and get a beautiful outcome for $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. 

If your deck needs more TLC to get back into excellent condition, you’ll likely need to sand it down before staining to refresh the surface and eliminate any discoloration from weathering. This process is more involved, and you can expect to pay between $1 and $4 per square foot.

Cost to refinish a deck

Some decks are still structurally sound but need to have old or rotten boards replaced before being refinished in order to look new again. A carpenter or handyman can do this for you, saving you the cost of putting in an entirely new deck. The cost of having a pro do the dirty work ranges from $2.50 and $5.85 per square foot.  

Cost to stain deck railings or handrails

Intricate deck surfaces take more time and expertise to stain if you don’t want visible brush strokes or drips that show on the final product. For this reason, a carpenter or handyman will charge between $4 and $12 per linear foot for detailed areas like handrails, spindles, and railings.

Cost for power washer hire

If you decide to catch the DIY train and refinish your deck on your own, you’ll need to power wash it to remove old paint or stain, dirt, and other debris. If you don’t own a power washer, not to worry — you can rent one for a day for $50 to $65 for a light-duty model or $185 to $380 for a higher-end machine. 

Power washers come in electric or gas models, and both are very straightforward to use — the choice comes down to how much surface area you need to clean and your comfort level with gas-powered tools.

Cost of using a deck stripper

For decks that are particularly weathered or moldy, you can use a chemical stripper before sanding. These products loosen old finishes and are especially useful in stripping decks with multiple coats of paint or stain applied. A gallon of chemical stripper costs anywhere from $20 to $80, and you’ll be able to treat 150 to 200 square feet per gallon.