How Much Does Fence Staining Cost in DFW? (2026 Guide)

Written by the Harbinger Fence, Deck & Pergola team. Reviewed by Brandon Jackson, owner. Updated October 2026.

Quick answer National cost guides put professional fence staining at about $4 to $14 per linear foot for one side, with most jobs landing between $1,400 and $2,200. Texas jobs often come in lower, with a typical Texas staining project around $912. Your price depends on fence length, height, condition, and whether you stain one side or both. Harbinger's DFW price: about $6 to $8 per linear foot, staining both sides. That's about $1,200 to $1,600 for a 200-foot fence. Call (214) 617-1831 for an on-site quote.

What Fence Staining Costs in DFW at a Glance

Most backyard fences in North Texas suburbs are wood privacy fences, often 6 or 8 feet tall. That height matters, because you pay for surface area, not just length.

• Pro staining, per linear foot (one side): $4–$14
• Pro staining, typical total (national): $1,400–$2,200
• Typical Texas staining project: $912
• Staining both sides: About 80% more than one side
• Pressure washing (if not included): $150–$300
• Minor repairs before staining: $300–$900

These are national and regional numbers. They are a starting point, not a quote.

Harbinger's Fence Staining Prices

Harbinger stains fences for about $6 to $8 per linear foot, and that price covers both sides of the fence. Here's what that looks like for common fence lengths:

• 100 ft: $600–$800
• 150 ft: $900–$1,200
• 200 ft: $1,200–$1,600
• 250 ft: $1,500–$2,000

We measure on-site and give you a firm price before we start. Your spot in the range depends on things like fence condition, style, and access.

• Small fence special: Staining up to 100 feet of fence. $598
• Fence + deck combo: Staining both at one visit. Custom quote

How that compares: national guides list $4 to $14 per linear foot for one side and say both sides add about 80%. Harbinger's $6–$8 covers both sides.

What every Harbinger staining job includes:

• A 2-year workmanship warranty on our application work.
• Touch-ups if the stain looks uneven after we finish.
• No warranty on the stain product itself. Every board absorbs stain a little differently, so color can vary from board to board. We'll walk you through that before we start.
• Payment by cash, check, card, or Zelle.

Fence Staining Cost by Fence Length

This table shows national third-party pricing for one side of the fence, not Harbinger's price. Use it to check whether any quote is in the normal range.

• 70 ft: $360–$890
• 110 ft: $550–$1,300
• 180 ft: $850–$2,200
• 230 ft: $1,150–$2,900
• 300 ft: $1,450–$3,700
• 400 ft: $2,000–$4,800

Source: typical national ranges from published cost guides.

Not sure how long your fence is? Walk it with a tape measure, or try our staining calculator for a ballpark. We'll measure on-site before we give a final price.

What Changes the Price

• Fence height: An 8-foot fence has a third more surface than a 6-foot fence. More surface means more stain and more labor.
• One side or both: Both sides cost more, but they protect the whole board. Staining both sides adds about 80%.
• Fence style: Board-on-board and shadowbox fences have overlapping boards and more edges. They take longer than a flat side-by-side fence.
• Condition: A gray, weathered fence needs a deep clean and brightener before stain. A fence stained 2-3 years ago may only need a light wash and a fresh coat.
• Repairs first: Loose pickets, leaning posts, or rotten rails should be fixed before staining. Stain won't save a broken board.
• Stain type: Oil-based penetrating stains are the usual choice for Texas cedar. Solid stains hide more but cost more and can peel.
• Access: Tight side yards, plants against the fence, pools, and nearby cars all add prep and masking time.

Is It Worth It to Stain a Fence?

For most wood fences, yes. Staining is much cheaper than replacing a fence. Cost guides put a typical wood fence install at about $3,400, compared with about $1,300 for a typical staining job. In DFW, the sun is the big enemy. Unprotected cedar fades to gray, dries out, and starts to split. A good penetrating stain slows that down.

Staining only pays off if the fence is still solid. If posts are rotted at the ground or the fence leans badly, fix those first or think about replacement. See our fence repair cost guide.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY cost. Most of a pro's price is labor. If you do it yourself, plan for:

• Stain, per gallon: $20–$50
• Paint/stain sprayer: $60–$250
• Brushes: $8–$30
• Gloves and mask: $14–$60

Source: typical national ranges from published cost guides.

How much stain do you need? Coverage depends on the product and how rough the wood is. Many semi-transparent stains list roughly 175 square feet per gallon on rough wood. A 100-foot, 6-foot-tall fence has 600 square feet per side. That's about 3 to 4 gallons per side for one coat on rough cedar. Always check the can.

DIY makes sense when:

• The fence is in good shape and under 6 feet tall.
• You have a free weekend and a pressure washer.
• You're OK with brush-and-roller speed.

Hire a pro when:

• The fence is 8 feet tall, very long, or board-on-board.
• The wood is gray or has old, failing stain.
• You want a sprayed finish without overspray on your car, brick, or your neighbor's house.
• You want a workmanship warranty.

DFW Notes: Timing, Weather, and HOAs

New cedar needs time to dry. Fresh lumber holds moisture. One popular penetrating stain says to wait 2 to 4 weeks for new cedar and at least a month for new pressure-treated pine, with 2 to 3 months of aging recommended for pressure-treated wood. It also says the wood should read 12% moisture or less on a moisture meter. Other brands have their own rules, so follow the label.

Heat and direct sun. Product rules vary. Some penetrating stains have no temperature limits as long as the wood is dry. Some spray versions list 50°F to 90°F and no direct sunlight.

Rain. Wet wood won't take stain. After a storm, the fence has to dry out before we stain, so spring jobs can shift a few days.

Sprinklers. Sprinklers that hit the fence every morning leave water marks and slow drying. Adjust heads before staining day.

HOA color rules. Many Collin County neighborhoods have rules about fence stain color. Check your HOA's guidelines, and get approval in writing before staining. Bring us the approved color name and we'll match it.

Your neighbor's side. If the fence is on a shared line, talk to your neighbor before we stain their side. It protects the boards, but it's their yard too.

Common Questions

How much does it cost to stain 200 feet of fence? At Harbinger, about $1,200 to $1,600, staining both sides ($6–$8 per linear foot). For comparison, national guides put 180 to 230 feet of one-sided staining at about $850 to $2,900.

How much does fence staining cost per foot? Harbinger charges about $6 to $8 per linear foot for both sides. A 100-foot fence runs about $600 to $800, and a 150-foot fence about $900 to $1,200. National guides list $4 to $14 per linear foot for one side.

How often should you stain a fence in Texas? It depends on the stain, the wood, and how much sun the fence gets. National guides say most fences need re-staining every 1 to 8 years. South- and west-facing runs fade first in DFW.

When should I stain a new cedar fence? Wait until the wood is dry. For a common penetrating stain, that's 2 to 4 weeks for new cedar. Waiting too long has a cost too: gray, sun-damaged wood needs more prep.

Should I pressure wash my fence before staining? Usually yes. Stain can't soak into dirt, mildew, or gray wood fibers. Washing should be gentle enough not to fuzz the wood, and the fence must dry before staining. Stain makers commonly say to let wood dry 48 hours or more after cleaning.

Why does my fence stain look blotchy? The usual causes are staining over dirt or old failing stain, staining damp wood, and new boards mixed with old ones. New and old wood absorb stain differently. That's why we don't warranty the stain itself, but we do offer touch-ups if the finish looks uneven after we're done.

Do I need HOA approval to stain my fence? Often, yes, especially for a color change. Check your HOA's architectural rules before you book. We're happy to stain to an approved color.

Get a Fence Staining Quote in DFW

We stain fences across Frisco, McKinney, and Plano. We stain both sides for about $6 to $8 per linear foot, and we measure on-site before we give you a final price.

Call (214) 617-1831 or schedule a visit. Learn more about our fence staining service.

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*Prices are typical national and regional ranges from published cost guides and stain maker instructions, checked October 30, 2026, not Harbinger quotes.