A fence has more surface than it looks
Seen from the yard, a fence looks like a simple wall of boards. Seen by a painter, it's two faces of every board, every edge, the rails, the posts and the caps, often with grass, shrubs and a neighbour's yard pressed up against it. That's why fence staining is priced by what the crew has to reach, not just by length.
Length, height and sides
The basic measure is linear feet times height. A taller privacy fence has far more surface than a low picket fence of the same length. Staining both sides roughly doubles the work, and the far side may sit in a neighbour's yard, which needs their agreement. Ask the painter to price each side separately.
Board style
Flat-faced boards butted together are the quickest. Shadowbox and board-on-board fences have overlaps and gaps on both faces that take longer. Picket tops, lattice panels and decorative caps all add brush time.
What the city's design criteria say about wood
Des Moines' adopted residential design criteria (Ordinance 16,224, 2023) rate the city's termite damage risk as moderate to heavy and decay risk as slight to moderate. Those are the city's ratings, quoted as written.
Decay and insects show up first at the bottom of posts and boards, where wood meets soil and stays damp. A painter staining a fence should look there first. Soft posts or rotted bottom rails need repair before stain, and staining over them only hides the problem for a season.
Station figures that bear on a fence
NOAA's engineering weather data for Des Moines lists a 100-year rainfall rate of 3.5 inches per hour, a 50-year basic wind speed of 90 mph (3-second gust at 33 feet) and about 60 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year. In an average year at Des Moines, NOAA counts 413 hours with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F and 1,291 hours above 67°F. Those are the Des Moines station's figures, quoted as NOAA gives them.
A fence takes wind and rain on its whole face, and water that soaks into end grain can freeze and split it. The damp-hour counts matter for timing: wood must be dry before stain goes on, and damp spells slow that down.
Cleaning
Grey, weathered wood, mildew and old flaking stain need washing off before new stain can soak in. A gentle wash with a wood cleaner is usual; heavy pressure can tear the grain. If the old finish is a solid stain that's peeling, stripping may be needed, which adds time and product.
Repairs
Loose boards, popped nails, split rails and leaning posts are best fixed before staining. Some painters do light carpentry; others will tell you to call a fence builder first. Ask which applies.
Stain type
Semi-transparent stains show the grain and wear away gradually, so the next round needs less prep. Solid stains hide the grain and cover mismatched boards but can peel and need more prep when renewed. A first-time stain on bare wood soaks up more product than a renewal.
Spray, roll or brush
Many crews spray a fence for speed, then back-brush to work the stain into the wood. Spraying needs more masking and protection of plants, cars and the neighbour's side, and it can't be done on a windy day. Brushing alone is slower but needs less masking. The method affects both labor and the setup time.
Plants, gravel and access
Shrubs, vines and garden beds along the fence need tying back or covering. Gravel or mulch piled against the boards may need pulling back to reach the bottom. Tight side yards and gates add time.
Comparing proposals
- Linear feet, height and which sides are included.
- Cleaning method and any stripping.
- How post and board repair is handled.
- Stain product, number of coats and application method.
Our deck and fence staining page and pricing guide explain more.