If your deck is looking worn and in need of a fresh stain, you might be wondering about the cost of getting it professionally stained. Maybe you’ve tried to look up prices online, but with so many variables, it can be overwhelming. You don’t want to guess and end up with unexpected costs, and you certainly don’t want to be surprised by hidden fees or charges for things you didn’t account for.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve helped Omaha homeowners plan and execute their deck staining projects for years. We believe you deserve to know the cost of your project before a salesperson steps on your lawn.
This article will guide you through the process of measuring your deck for a more accurate price estimate. You’ll learn how to measure the main deck area, stairs, pergolas, and railings, ensuring that every square foot is accounted for. By the end, you’ll be equipped to use our pricing calculator, or any other, with confidence.
Knowing the exact size of your deck is the foundation for an accurate estimate. Calculating the square footage of your project ensures that you’re charged for the exact amount of work needed to get your project done right.
However, if your measurements are off, your cost estimate will be too. Taking a few extra minutes to measure accurately can save you time and the stress of unexpected costs later on.
Decks come in all shapes and sizes, and a lot of factors can impact the price of staining them. Measuring just the main area of the deck is a good start, but it’s only part of the equation. If you have stairs, a pergola, or wood railings, those features will need staining too, and they add square footage.
Knowing how to measure each part will give you total square footage that reflects the full scope of the work, ensuring a fair price.
Here’s why this matters:
Before you start measuring, make sure you have the following:
By breaking down irregular shapes, you’ll avoid overestimating or underestimating the actual area that needs staining.
Stairs are a commonly overlooked part of deck staining projects, but they add square footage and require extra time to stain correctly. Here’s how to measure them easily:
For instance, if your staircase is 3 feet wide and 5 feet long, the stair area would be 15 square feet (3 x 5). By measuring the entire staircase as one unit, you save time and ensure that the entire area is accounted for in your estimate.
Pergolas, canopies, or other overhead structures on your deck will add to the area that needs to be stained, as well as to the project cost. Measuring these areas is essential for a complete estimate.
For example, if each pergola slat is 10 feet long and 1 foot wide, and you have five slats, your pergola adds 50 square feet (10 x 1 x 5). If the pergola has side beams that need staining, measure and add those areas separately to your total.
Wooden railings around your deck can also impact the cost of your project, especially if they require staining. Although some calculators may not include railing square footage, knowing the area of your railings is still helpful when getting a quote.
If your deck has two railing sections, each measuring 3 feet high and 10 feet long, the total railing area would be 60 square feet (3 x 10 x 2). Knowing this measurement helps ensure you’re not surprised by extra costs when you get your quote.
Let’s say you have a rectangular deck that’s 20 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a staircase, a pergola, and wood railings. Here’s how you’d measure and calculate your total square footage:
Total square footage of this deck and pergola: 300 + 15 + 50 + 60 = 425 square feet
With these measurements, you’ll be ready to use a pricing calculator and get a good idea of how much your deck staining project will cost. (Click the button below!) For a deck with 425 square feet, you could expect an average estimate of $4,250 to $6,000. This is based on an average cost of $10 to $15 per square foot. The exact price depends on the condition of your wood.
When it comes to deck staining, accurate measurements make all the difference. By knowing exactly how much of your deck needs to be stained, including features like stairs, pergolas, and railings, you’ll get a fair and reliable price. With these measurements, you can avoid surprises, see a clear breakdown of costs, and have confidence in your budget.
For homeowners in Omaha, Brush & Roll Painting is here to guide you through every step of your deck staining project. You deserve transparent pricing, so you can plan for your project and not have any surprises.
Once you’ve completed these measurements, you can confidently use our deck staining pricing calculator.
Our calculator is designed to give you a transparent and accurate estimate based on your total square footage and any extra features like stairs or pergolas. With your numbers ready, you’ll get a clear, customized price range—no guesswork involved.