Staining a deck costs $450 to $1,000 on average in 2026, by national published figures. In Fargo a deck spends months under snow and then bakes in summer sun, so the finish you choose and the timing matter.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own surfaces move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to stain a deck?
Nationally, the cost to stain a deck is $1.50 to $4 per square foot with a professional, or $450 to $1,000 for an average deck. The national average is $730.
| Deck size | National range, professional staining |
|---|---|
| 10 x 10 | $157 to $404 |
| 12 x 12 | $226 to $582 |
| 12 x 16 | $301 to $775 |
| 12 x 20 | $376 to $969 |
| 16 x 16 | $401 to $1,034 |
| 20 x 20 | $628 to $1,616 |
The method changes the price. A plain stain and seal is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. With power washing it is $1.00 to $2.50. With power sanding it is $2.00 to $4.00, and stripping an old finish first makes it $2.50 to $5.50. Railings are $4 to $12 per linear foot.
Should I paint or stain my deck?
Stain is the better choice for most deck floors here. Stain soaks into the wood and wears away slowly. Paint sits on top as a film, and on a floor that holds snow and standing water, a film cracks and peels.
HomeGuide lists deck painting at $2 to $5 per square foot and puts the life of deck paint at 10 to 15 years, against restaining every 2 to 3 years. That paint figure assumes the film stays whole. On a flat deck in a freeze and thaw climate it often does not. Paint does better on railings and posts than on the boards you walk on.
Solid or semi-transparent stain on an old deck?
Use a solid stain on an old, weathered deck and a semi-transparent stain on newer wood in good shape. Solid stain hides grey, patched and mismatched boards and gives the most sun protection. Semi-transparent stain shows the grain, so it only looks good on wood worth showing.
Solid stain can peel if it goes on too thick or over damp wood. Semi-transparent fades but does not peel, and it is easier to recoat.
How often does a deck need restaining?
A deck needs restaining every 2 to 3 years, by the published figure. Flat boards in full sun wear faster than railings. Do the water test each spring: sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in instead of beading, it is time.
Can you paint a deck that was previously stained, or stain one that was already painted?
A previously stained deck can be painted or given a solid stain, once it is cleaned and sanded. Going the other way is harder. A deck that was already painted cannot take stain until all the paint is stripped or sanded off, because stain has to soak into bare wood.
HomeGuide lists repainting a deck at $3 to $9 per square foot and a strip, stain and seal at $2.50 to $5.50.
Why is my deck stain peeling after a year?
Deck stain is peeling after a year because it could not soak in. The wood was damp, dirty or still sealed by an old finish, or the stain was put on too thick and dried as a film on top.
Snow and meltwater then get under that film over a Fargo winter and lift it off. The fix is to strip or sand back to bare wood, let it dry and apply thin coats.
How long to wait before staining a new deck or pressure-treated fence?
Wait until the wood is dry enough to take stain, which for new pressure-treated lumber often means several weeks to a few months. Treated wood is sold wet. Stain cannot soak into wood that is full of water.
Use the water test instead of counting days. If drops soak in within a few minutes, the wood is ready. A deck built in late summer here is often best left until the next spring.
Can I stain a deck while the wood is damp?
No. Do not stain damp wood. The stain will not soak in, and it will peel or go patchy. After rain or washing, give the deck two or three dry days.
Watch the temperature and the dew as well. Stain needs a mild, dry day, and an evening with no heavy dew.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain suits most wood fences better than paint. A fence has two faces, many edges and posts in the ground, so water always finds a way in, and a paint film then peels. Stain fades evenly and can be recoated without scraping.
The national figure for painting or staining a fence is $2 to $14 per linear foot, or $4 to $9 per linear foot for a 6 foot fence. So 100 feet runs $200 to $1,400. No lifespan is published for fence finishes. Paint is the right pick when you want a white picket look and accept the upkeep.
Is an old pine fence worth staining or should it be replaced?
An old fence is worth staining if the posts are solid and the boards are firm. If the posts rock at the ground or the pickets are soft and split, put the money toward a new fence.
Push on each post. Frost in the Red River Valley clay heaves posts, and pine rots first at ground level. A fence that leans will keep leaning under new stain.
Do you power wash before staining?
Yes. A deck or fence is washed before stain so that dirt, mildew and loose grey fiber come off. The pressure is kept low enough not to tear up the wood. HomeGuide lists pressure washing a deck at $200 to $240 and a fence at $180 to $300 as separate jobs.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (701) 502-6833.