The rates, and what sits behind each one
These are the figures our calculator uses. Put your own square footage into it and you will see the same numbers. There is one source and this page is reading from it.
- Sanding and staining, 300–500 sq ft $4,025 – $6,475$7.00 + $3.50 per sq ft of labor
- The usual job: the grey surface is taken back to bare wood, then stained. Labor is $3,150–$5,250; the rest is the wash, protection and stain.
- Sanding and staining, over 500 sq ft from $5,975$6.50 + $3.00 per sq ft of labor
- The rate drops on larger decks because setup, masking and drying time are spread over more surface.
- Staining only, 300–500 sq ft $1,925 – $2,975$3.50 per sq ft of labor
- For a deck that is still sound and was sanded recently. If the finish is peeling rather than faded, sanding is not optional.
- Staining only, over 500 sq ft from $2,725$3.00 per sq ft of labor
- Same work, larger deck, lower rate.
- Under 300 sq ft we declinenot priced
- The trip, the masking and the drying time cost the same as on a full deck. We would rather say so than quote a number nobody is happy with.
What the price is made of
- LaborThe rates above: sanding and staining, or staining alone.
- Pressure wash$300–$500
- Protecting the house and plants$350
- Stain3 to 5 gallons at $75 on a 300–500 sq ft deck.
- Not in this priceRailings aren’t in this price. Staining them is $10 per linear ft, and sanding the top rail is $5 per linear ft. We don’t sand posts or balusters — they’re washed and stained as they are.
What the price covers
- Sanding the deck surface and the stairsThe boards go back to bare wood so the new finish soaks in instead of peeling.
- Applying the stain, cut in by hand at the edgesEdges and posts are brushed, not sprayed past.
- Washing, protection and the stain itselfThe pressure wash, covering the house, siding and plants, and 3 to 5 gallons of stain on a 300–500 sq ft deck are in the price.
When refinishing is the wrong answer
- The frame is soft, not just the boardsA beautiful finish over a rotted joist is money spent on hiding a problem. If a screwdriver sinks into the framing, the deck needs repair or replacement first.
- Boards are cupped or splitting throughSanding takes off a surface, not a quarter inch of damage. Replace the worst boards, then finish.
- The decking is compositeComposite is cleaned, never stained. If it looks tired, washing is the fix.
Questions people actually ask
How much does it cost to refinish a deck in the Bay Area?
Sanding and staining a 300–500 sq ft deck costs $4,025 to $6,475, and staining alone $1,925 to $2,975. That is the full price: the labor at $7.00 per sq ft for sanding and $3.50 for staining, the pressure wash, protecting the house and plants, and 3 to 5 gallons of stain at $75. Above 500 sq ft the labor rates drop to $6.50 for sanding and $3.00 for staining. Railings are priced apart.
How often does a deck need staining?
Two to four years in this climate, depending on how much sun and rain the deck takes. A deck that faces west and gets no shade needs it sooner than one under trees. The honest test is water: if it soaks in rather than beading, the finish is done.
Is sanding always necessary, or can you stain over the old finish?
If the old finish is faded but intact, staining over it works. If it is peeling, cracking or blotchy, staining over it locks the damage in and the new coat fails within a season. Sanding is what makes the difference between a job that lasts three years and one that lasts three months.
Why is there a 300 square foot minimum?
Because the cost of a refinishing job is mostly setup: getting there, masking what must not be stained, and waiting between coats. Those hours are the same on a 150 sq ft deck as on a 400 sq ft one, so a small job would have to be priced at a rate that looks unreasonable. We say no instead.
Does refinishing work on composite decking?
Usually not. Most composite decking is meant to be cleaned rather than stained, and a coating can void the manufacturer’s warranty. Check your product’s care instructions first; if a composite deck looks tired, the usual fix is washing and sometimes replacing boards.