Deck Staining Cost: $550–$1,250 (Average $969) in 2026

Why does deck staining cost so much?

The price mostly comes down to deck size, stain type, and how much prep the wood needs first. A full project typically runs $550 to $1,250, averaging about $969 nationally (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila, Thumbtack). Broken down per square foot, staining alone costs roughly $0.50 to $5 depending on the source and job scope (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila, Thumbtack), while restaining a deck that’s already been finished before runs higher, about $4 to $7 per sq ft, since old stain and grime need to come off first (Bob Vila). Stain material itself is a smaller piece of the total: clear formulas run $20 to $60 per gallon and water-based formulas run $20 to $90 per gallon, while oil-based stains, which tend to last longer, cost $35 to $120 per gallon (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila). Add in prep work like power washing, sanding, or stripping, and a bigger or neglected deck can push well past the $1,250 mark.

What affects the cost?

A few factors explain most of the gap between a $550 job and a $1,250+ one:

• Deck square footage. A small 10’x10’ deck can run $200 to $400, while a 24’x24’ deck can run $1,150 to $2,350 (HomeAdvisor).
• Stain type and opacity. Clear stains cost $20 to $60 per gallon and water-based stains run $20 to $90 per gallon; solid stains run $25 to $70 per gallon and semi-solid stains run $40 to $90 per gallon; oil-based stains cost the most at $35 to $120 per gallon (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).
• Surface prep needed. Power washing adds $0.50 to $1.50 per sq ft, sanding adds $1 to $4 per sq ft, and stripping old stain can add $1.50 to $12 per sq ft depending on how much is left behind (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).
• New stain vs. restaining. Restaining an older, previously finished deck costs more per sq ft than staining bare or new wood, because of the extra stripping and cleanup involved (Bob Vila).
• Railings. Staining railings is usually billed separately at $4 to $12.50 per linear foot (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).
• Deck repairs. Loose boards or damaged wood found during prep typically need fixing first, averaging $250 to $1,200 (Thumbtack).
• Labor rate. Contractors typically charge $40 to $70 per hour or $1 to $2.50 per sq ft, and this varies by region (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).

How to lower your deck staining cost

• Handle power washing yourself if you’re comfortable with a rented or owned pressure washer — this can save the $0.50 to $1.50 per sq ft (or $50 to $100 per hour) contractors typically charge for it (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).
• Choose a clear or water-based stain instead of oil-based if your deck’s condition allows it — these run $20 to $60 per gallon (clear) or $20 to $90 per gallon (water-based) versus $35 to $120 per gallon for oil-based (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).
• Stay on top of maintenance. Restaining an already-finished deck regularly avoids the heavier stripping work that pushes restaining costs to $4 to $7 per sq ft (Bob Vila).
• Fix small repairs early. Addressing loose boards or minor damage before it worsens keeps you closer to the $250 low end of typical repair costs rather than the $1,200 high end (Thumbtack).
• Get multiple quotes. Labor rates alone range from $40 to $70 per hour between contractors, so comparing two or three bids can meaningfully change your total (HomeAdvisor, Bob Vila).

Prices vary by region, deck condition, and the stain you choose, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. Get a couple of local quotes, confirm whether prep work like power washing is included, before committing to a final number.