How Much Does Deck Staining Cost?

How Much Does it Cost to Professionally Stain a Deck?

Recoating is a recommended process that is extremely necessary for the beautification of the deck and the preservation of timber through successful sealing. If you are reading this then perhaps you are contemplating this project and asking yourself, “How much does it cost to stain a deck”.

The cost will depend and may greatly differ depending on materials, labour, and size of the deck. This cost guide shall illustrate these costs, and discuss the kind of stains from clear to opaque and how they affect costs. We will also consider the labour aspect of whether you opt to hire a professional or do it yourself.

Some other areas that will be considered are the size of the deck and the condition it's in, as both play a major role in the final cost of the project. By the end of it, you’ll understand what to expect, along with important tips to help you make the right decision for staining your deck. Consulting with local decking specialists can also provide clearer cost estimates and ensure quality results tailored to your deck’s needs.

Common Deck Pre-Staining Services and Their Costs

• Power Washing: To prepare your wood deck for staining, power washing is mandatory to achieve the best results possible. Typically, all of the professionals clean before staining to avoid the mixture of stains and dirt and that would cost between $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot. If you want to do it on your own you can rent the power washer for $50 to $65 a day, or you can buy it for $100 to $1,500.



• Sanding: In most cases, there is usually a need to sand the deck before applying the stain. When filing for light sanding services, it will cost an average of $1 up to $1.50 per square foot, which includes staining. But if it’s a case of, if your deck needs sanding, then costs can rise to between $2 and $4 per square foot for both sanding and staining.



• Paint Stripping: If you discover that your deck has old paint, paint stripping may take time since most removers need to be left to work on the paint for some nights. The basic price for this service is usually in the range of $1.50 to $3 per square foot of the area that is to be stained after sanding.

Variables Affecting the Price of Deck Staining

Size of the Deck: As is often the case with wooden decks, the cost of the project is mainly influenced by the size of the deck. Decks in Australia are often referred to as sqm and quite often staining contractors are paid per sqm. Here’s a rough estimate based on deck size:

• Small Deck (10-20 sqm): $300 - $600


• Medium Deck (20-40 sqm): $600 - $1,200


• Large Deck (40+ sqm): $1,200 - $2,500 or more

Type of Stain: The kind of stain that you use influences the cost very much. In Australia, you’ll find a variety of options:

• Transparent Stains: These do not hide the natural grain of the wood and cost anything between $15-$25 per litre.


• Semi-Transparent Stains: Securing the product in an optimal form without compromising on its visual appeal is possible with these stains, which cost between $20 and $40 per litre.


• Solid Colour Stains: These give the maximum protection to your car and costs vary according to the colour, mostly ranging from $25 to $50 per litre.


• Water-based deck stain: This is your ordinary deck staining solution; they range from $20 to $90 per gallon. These semi-transparent stains are excellent from an ecological point of view and are water-borne and have even lower VOC content after they dry up.


• Solid deck stain: Choosing between staining a deck and painting a deck, a good quality deck stain offers the benefits of both. Such solutions cost $25 to $70 per gallon and are available in water- and oil-soluble versions.


• Oil-based deck stain: Oil-based stains get into the grain of the wood but expect to spend between $35-$120 per gallon. As for the mould resistance, these stains do a fine job of it.

Condition of the Deck: Costs depend on the current state of your deck; it will cost you more to repair a damaged deck than it will to install a new one. If the deck is in good condition, there will not be much preparation that needs to be done to ensure maintenance for the deck and more so if it has signs of wear. Consider the following scenarios:

• Light Cleaning: If you only need to pressure wash your deck, this will cost an additional $100 – $250.


• Repairs: If the boards are worn out and need replacing or the structure needs repair, then you should prepare to part with an extra $200 – $1,000.

Labour Costs: The cost of labour depends on the geographical location of the contractor and customer. Most deck-staining professionals work on average cost within the range of $30 – $60 per hour. In larger projects, some contractors may charge per sqm and these charges range from $20 to $40 per sqm.

Re-Staining Costs: Even though staining a deck is quite an easy affair, it may be necessary to re-stain your deck every two to five years depending on the exposure to weather and the type of stain used. Here are some cost considerations:

• Frequency of Re-Staining: The higher the frequency of touch-ups, then the more amount of money you will have to spend in future. Depending on the type of stain used, you may apply it not very often, if you choose a high-quality one, thus saving more money in the future.


• Preparation Work: Additional staining needs more preparation than when the first staining was done, for instance, cleaning and possibly using sanding or stripping old stains. This prep work can increase your costs by about $100- $300 based on the current finish present on the wall.


• Labour Costs: If you hire professionals re-staining services you can expect similar charges to the initial charges, which can be between $20 and $40 per square metre of the area being worked on.

Sealing Costs: Sealant products have different types that are used which are the basic and the premium quality products. In this modern world, sealants can come with a clear coat which will cost between $25 and $60 per litre depending on the brand and type.

• Application Method: Using sealant is normally part of staining especially when you have hired some personnel to handle the task. Nevertheless, if you decide to seal differently, you will have extra costs for labour that takes about 30-60 dollars per hour.


• Frequency of Sealing: Like with re-staining, sealing requires this to be done at some interval covering the time it takes for sealing to wear off. Length of seal typically varies between 1 and 3 years, hence include future expenses in your computation.

Estimated Total Costs: To summarise the potential costs, here’s a rough guide based on the factors discussed:

• Small Deck (10-20 sqm): $300 - $600


• Medium Deck (20-40 sqm): $600 - $1,200


• Large Deck (40+ sqm): $1,200 - $2,500+

Tips for Reducing Deck Staining Costs

• Get Multiple Quotes: As a rule, it is wise to get several estimates for the needed work from different contractors.


• Plan for Off-Peak Seasons: Laundry services such as staining can be more affordable when it is between the autumn and late winter seasons.


• DIY Preparation: In case you feel you have adequate skills, it will be cheaper if you occasionally handle the cleaning or minor repairs yourself on site.


• Choose Quality Materials: Using high-quality stains helps produce good results that may not require one to reapply the service now and then hence being cost-effective in the long run.

Know When To Stain The Decks

The right time to stain your deck is equally important if you want to get the best results and also want to add value to the lifespan of your deck. Generally, it is most suitable for you to stain your deck during a time when the weather is not very hot or very cold; this is normally during spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate that is between 50°F to 90°F (10°C to 32°C). Prefer not to stain on very hot sunny days because this leads to fast drying up and might cause uneven staining of the material.

Before staining it is advisable to make sure that your deck is free from dirt and not wet, if it rained recently make sure the decks are dry.

Deck Stain Maintenance Tips

To keep your deck both looking nice and long-lasting, it’s important that you periodically refresh the stain of your deck. Maintenance keeps the material from fading, cracking, or developing any wood damage, making your deck to be an aesthetic and usable space for a long time.

Check your deck frequently for areas that appear to be faded or those that no longer repel water. If the above signs appear, it will be time to redo a stain job, which ideally is done every 2-3 years depending on the weather conditions and other factors such as exposure to the sun.

Ensure that you wipe off the surface and its subsequent drying before starting the re-staining process. Also to increase its water-repellent and UV-resistant properties one could apply a protective coating of some sort.

Conclusion

Like any decker would tell you, staining is a key activity that not only beautifies your living space but also helps to preserve your investment in this pleasant but harsh weathered country.

The cost of it can depend freely on size, type of stain, and labour among other elements and coming across this will assist you.

The decision of whether to take on the job yourself or employ a profession is best made now and only with appropriate planning and budgeting can you look forward to a well-built deck that will be the beauty of your home for many years to come. Happy staining!