How to Estimate Deck Staining Prices
Deck staining is important to protect wood from water damage. It’s a good idea to estimate costs before beginning any deck staining project even if you hire a company to stain the deck. Estimating costs can ensure you have enough money to complete a project yourself or make sure a contractor isn’t overcharging for deck staining services.
Items needed:
- Pen and paper
- Measuring tape
- Calculator or adding machine
- Measure all dimensions of the deck using a tape measure and write them down. Then find the total area by multiplying the length and width of all areas of the deck. This includes any stairways, railing or walking areas. Add all of the numbers together for the total area.
- Take the measurement with you to the local hardware or home improvement store and read the labels on the containers of deck water sealer to determine how much to purchase. The label should tell you the total area that the can of stain will cover. See how many times the number on the container goes into the total area of the deck. This will tell you how much stain to buy. Write this amount down along with the unit cost of the sealer. Visit a few stores to research prices so you can get a median cost or to determine the best deal.
- Determine if the deck will need to be pressure washed or cleaned. The pressure washer can be bought or rented for the project. Figure out which option is more economical. If there are several projects that you may need a pressure washer for, it may be a good idea to go ahead and buy one. Add this cost to your list.
- Figure out how much any tools will cost that are needed to apply the stain. A sprayer is an ideal option to get the job done quicker, but it costs more than paint brushes or rollers. Add the supplies and tools costs to your list.
- Add up all of the costs to determine the total amount of money it will take to complete the deck staining project. Make adjustments where possible to cut costs.