Deck staining and painting
Deck staining runs $3–$5 per square foot. A typical 300 sq ft deck is $900–$1,500 with the prep included, and the job takes 2–3 days in dry weather. Our work carries a written one-year warranty, and the estimate is free.
1-year written warranty No subcontractors No deposit to book
- Starting at $3 / sq ft
- Timeline 2–3 days
- Warranty 1 year
Or call (425) 543-8307
Everything the job includes, in the order we do it
- 01
Look at the boards first
Loose boards, popped nails and soft spots are marked before anything else. Stain over a rotten board lasts as long as the board does.
- 02
Fix what needs fixing
Boards and railings that are past saving are replaced and priced as deck repair, on the same estimate, before any cleaning starts.
- 03
Clean and strip
Dirt, mildew and the grey layer of dead wood come off. Old stain that is peeling in sheets gets stripped rather than covered.
- 04
Let it dry
Wood that was just washed holds water. Stain goes on after the boards have dried out, not the same afternoon.
- 05
Sand the rough spots
Raised grain and splinters on the walking surface and the handrail are sanded smooth, because those are the parts bare feet and hands touch.
- 06
Protect the house
Siding, doors, planters and the ground under the deck are covered before the first coat.
- 07
Stain or paint
Stain is worked into the boards, the gaps and the board ends, then the railings and stairs. Solid colour and paint go on in two coats.
- 08
Last day
Walk it with you
We go over the deck together and touch up anything you point at before the job is closed.
Most of a stain job is the cleaning and drying. If a quote skips them, the stain is sitting on dirt and will peel with it.
- 1 yearWritten warranty on deck staining
- FreeEstimate, measured on your deck
- 7am–9pmOlga answers the phone and books the visit
Straight pricing
What deck painting & staining costs
The rate covers the walking surface, railings and stairs, measured on site. The condition of the old finish matters most: a deck that only needs a wash costs less than one that needs peeling stain stripped. Repairs are priced separately and shown as their own line.
| Scope | Typical timeline | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| Deck staining or painting, priced by area | 2–3 days | $3 / sq ft |
| A typical 300 sq ft deck, prep included | 2–3 days | $900 |
| Board and railing repair before stain | 1–3 days | $500 |
| Fence staining | 1–2 days | $800 |
A typical 300 sq ft deck is $900–$1,500, prep included.
When is the best time to stain a deck around Seattle?
Between late spring and early fall, when the wood has had a few dry days and the forecast stays dry for a day or two after the last coat. That window is short, so book the estimate before it opens rather than when it does.
Stain or paint: which lasts longer?
Paint and solid stain cover more and last longer on railings, but they peel on the walking surface where feet and water wear them down. Semi-transparent stain fades instead of peeling, so recoating it is simpler. We will tell you which one your deck is set up for.
How often does a deck need to be restained here?
Horizontal boards in full sun and rain wear fastest. Plan on looking at them every couple of years: when water stops beading and soaks in, the finish is done. Railings usually go longer than the floor.
Can you stain a new pressure-treated deck right away?
Usually not. New pressure-treated lumber is wet from the treatment and needs to dry out before it will take stain. Sprinkle a little water on a board: if it soaks in, it is ready; if it beads, wait.
Do you fix loose or rotten boards too?
Yes. Repairs go on the same estimate as a separate line, priced as deck repair. They are done before the cleaning so the whole deck gets the same finish.
How long before we can use the deck?
You can usually walk on it the next day. Give it a couple more days before furniture and planters go back, so nothing sticks to the fresh finish.
Keeping a deck alive through Puget Sound winters
Why decks here grey and grow moss so fast, how to tell if yours needs stain or repair, and what to do between recoats.
Keeping a deck alive through Puget Sound winters
Why decks here grey and grow moss so fast, how to tell if yours needs stain or repair, and what to do between recoats.
Why decks here wear out fast
Months of rain and very little winter sun mean the boards stay wet for a long time. The surface greys, moss and mildew take hold in the shade, and water sits in the gaps where boards meet. The parts that fail first are board ends, stair treads and anything under a downspout.
Stain or repair: a quick test
Push a screwdriver into the boards near the house, at the stairs and around posts. If it sinks in, that board needs replacing before anything goes on it. Check that railings do not move when you lean on them. Then drip water on the floor. If it beads, the finish is still working; if it soaks in straight away, the deck is ready for a new coat.
Between recoats
Sweep off needles and leaves before they pile up in the gaps, and keep planters on feet so the boards under them can dry. A light wash in spring takes off the mildew before it stains the wood. Skip the pressure washer on its highest setting. It tears up the soft grain and leaves the boards fuzzy.
Deck painting & staining near you
Text the desk
Text Olga — just send her the address
Free walkthrough, written price, three-year warranty, no deposit to book. Twenty-one cities from Everett to Renton.
Olga usually replies within minutes, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM, 7 days · crew works Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Or call (425) 543-8307