What's Included
A standard deck or fence painting/staining quote covers:
- Cleaning: pressure wash or chemical wash to remove dirt, mould, and old coating residue ($350–$600 for a typical deck)
- Sanding: light sand for maintenance re-coats ($8–$12/m2), or heavy sand for weathered and peeling timber ($15–$27/m2)
- Repairs: replacing damaged deck boards or fence palings if included in scope
- Application of decking oil, stain, or paint per AS/NZS 2311:2017, which specifies minimum coat systems for exterior timber: one primer plus two topcoats on bare surfaces, and recommends all end-grain be sealed before exposure
- Two coats for new timber or colour changes; one coat for maintenance re-oiling
- Clean-up on completion
Labour makes up 60–70% of the total cost for deck work and up to 80% for fence painting. Paling fences with narrow gaps and rough surfaces are surprisingly slow to coat compared to flat deck surfaces. Materials (oil, stain, or paint) account for 15–25%, with prep consumables and overheads making up the remainder.
Coating Types: Oil, Stain, and Paint Compared
The coating you choose determines both the upfront cost and how often you will need to re-coat. Each type works differently on timber.
| Coating Type | Per-Litre Cost | Coverage | Lifespan | Best For | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetrating oil (natural) | $21–$35/L | 12–15 m2/L | 6–18 months | Hardwood decks (merbau, spotted gum, jarrah). Enhances natural grain and colour. | Easiest to maintain: clean, light sand, re-oil. No stripping needed. |
| Oil-based stain (tinted) | $28–$44/L | 8–12 m2/L | 2–4 years | Hardwood decks where you want to add or refresh colour while showing timber grain. | Moderate: needs sanding before re-coating if the old stain has worn unevenly. |
| Water-based stain | $26–$30/L | 12–16 m2/L | 12–30 months | Decks and fences where easy clean-up and low odour matter. Lasts longer than oil in some conditions. | Easier application but can struggle with adhesion on dense hardwoods in humid climates. |
| Solid paint (exterior acrylic) | $19–$25/L | 14–16 m2/L | 5–8 years | Fences, pergolas, timber structures where a solid colour finish is wanted. Hides timber imperfections. | Longest lasting but hardest to maintain: peeling paint must be fully stripped before re-coating, which is expensive. |
Brand and Product Guide
Australian deck and fence products sit across three tiers, from DIY-friendly oils to professional-grade coatings.
| Product | Type | Price | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabot's Natural Decking Oil | Penetrating oil | ~$83/4L (~$21/L) | 12–15 m2/L | Entry-level oil for treated pine and softwoods. Good for DIY maintenance re-oiling. |
| Cabot's Deck & Exterior Stain (Oil Based) | Tinted stain | ~$123/4L (~$31/L) | 8–12 m2/L | Available in merbau, jarrah, and natural tones. Adds colour while penetrating hardwood. |
| Cabot's Aquadeck | Water-based oil | ~$104/4L (~$26/L) | 12–16 m2/L | Water-based alternative. Easier clean-up, low odour. Manufacturer claims up to twice the lifespan of traditional oils. |
| Intergrain UltraDeck Timber Oil | Penetrating oil | ~$142/4L (~$35/L), ~$313/10L (~$31/L) | 10–14 m2/L | Premium oil for hardwoods. Deeper penetration on dense timbers like merbau and spotted gum. |
| Intergrain NaturalStain | Tinted stain | ~$176/4L (~$44/L) | 8–10 m2/L | Top-tier stain for feature decks. Rich colour development on hardwoods. |
| Sikkens Cetol Deck Ultra | Transparent stain | ~$399/10L (~$40/L) | 8–10 m2/L | Professional-grade. Highly water-repellent, UV-resistant. Popular with specialist deck painters. |
| Wattyl Solagard Deck & Timber Paint | Solid paint | ~$80–$100/4L (~$20–$25/L) | 14–16 m2/L | Solid colour finish for fences, pergolas, and deck structures. 25-year warranty against peeling. No primer needed on timber. |
| Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen | Solid paint | ~$279/15L (~$19/L) | 14–16 m2/L | Exterior acrylic for fence painting. MaxiFlex technology, lifetime guarantee against peeling on previously painted surfaces. |
A typical 30 m2 hardwood deck needs 4–5 litres of oil per coat at 12–15 m2/L coverage. Two coats on bare timber means 8–10 litres, so materials alone run $170–$350 depending on the product tier. A 20-metre paling fence (1.8m high, both sides) has roughly 72 m2 of surface area and needs 5–6 litres per coat.
Signs Your Deck or Fence Needs Recoating
Timber does not fail suddenly. It shows clear warning signs before serious damage sets in:
- Water absorption test fails. Splash water on the deck surface. If it beads and sits on top, the coating is still working. If it soaks in within 30 seconds, the oil or stain has broken down and the timber is unprotected.
- Grey or silver discolouration. UV breaks down the lignin in timber, turning the surface grey. This is not just cosmetic: grey timber has lost its surface protection and will begin to split and crack if left untreated.
- Blotchy or patchy appearance. Uneven fading means the coating has worn through in high-traffic or high-sun areas. These exposed patches weather faster than protected areas, creating an uneven surface.
- Splintering or surface fibres lifting. When timber fibres start lifting, the surface is drying out and becoming brittle. This is past the "maintenance re-oil" stage and into restoration territory.
- Peeling or flaking coating. Only affects paint and film-forming stains (not oils). Peeling paint must be stripped back to bare timber before re-coating, which is the most expensive prep scenario.
- Mould or algae growth. Green or black patches, particularly on south-facing surfaces and shaded areas. Mould must be killed with a dedicated wash before any coating is applied, not just pressure-washed off.
A maintenance re-oil every 12–18 months costs a fraction of a full restoration. A 30 m2 deck re-oil runs $15–$25/m2 ($450–$750 total). A full strip, sand, and re-stain on the same deck runs $30–$45/m2 ($900–$1,350 total). The most expensive option is neglecting it until boards need replacing.
What Affects the Cost
- Surface area. Decks are measured in square metres. Fences are measured by linear metre and height. A 20-metre paling fence at 1.8m high is roughly 72 m2 of paintable surface when you account for both sides.
- Timber condition. Weathered, grey timber needs sanding back to fresh wood before coating. Peeling or flaking old coatings need chemical stripping ($8–$27/m2). This prep work can double the cost compared to a maintenance re-coat on timber in good condition.
- Product choice. Penetrating oil at $21–$35/L is the most affordable coating per application but needs the most frequent re-coating. Premium stains at $31–$44/L last longer between coats. Solid paint at $19–$25/L lasts the longest but is the most expensive to strip and redo when it eventually fails.
- Timber type. Hardwoods (merbau, spotted gum, ironbark, jarrah) are dense and need specific oil or stain products designed for dense timber penetration. Treated pine is more porous and absorbs standard products more readily.
- Number of coats. New timber or bare timber needs 2–3 coats. A maintenance re-coat on well-maintained timber is usually 1 coat.
- Fence painting complexity. Paling fences are labour-intensive: every paling needs individual attention front and back, and the gaps between palings slow the work down. Smooth panel or lapped fences are faster. Both sides of a fence roughly doubles the labour.
A small deck re-oil on timber in good condition sits toward $500. A large deck strip-and-restain plus a long paling fence paint on both sides pushes toward $3,000.
Lead Paint on Older Fences
Timber fences on properties built before 1970 may have lead paint under current layers. The NHMRC limited lead in paint to 1% by 1970, but fences painted before that date could contain up to 50% lead by weight. Under AS/NZS 4361.2:2017, lead paint must never be dry-sanded, dry-scraped, or burned off. Safe methods include wet sanding, chemical strippers, or encapsulation (painting over intact lead paint with a suitable primer).
If the fence paint is in sound condition (not peeling or flaking), painting over it with a bonding primer and two topcoats is the safest approach. If the paint is deteriorating and needs scraping, a lead test should be done first. DIY lead test kits cost $10–$15, though professional XRF testing is more reliable for confirming lead levels.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, climate impacts on timber, and dominant timber types.
At the city level, Sydney and Melbourne pricing is closely matched, with painter day rates of $400–$650 for outdoor timber work. Brisbane sits slightly below on labour rates but timber maintenance cycles are shorter due to UV intensity, meaning homeowners re-coat more frequently. Perth and Adelaide tend to run 10–15% above eastern capitals due to smaller trade pools and higher operating costs.
Within any city, timber type and condition create the most variance. Hardwood decks in established suburbs (merbau in Sydney's eastern suburbs, jarrah in Perth's western suburbs) use premium oil products at $31–$44/L and need experienced application. Treated pine decks in newer outer suburbs work with standard products at $21–$26/L and are more straightforward. Coastal properties in any city face salt exposure that accelerates timber degradation and shortens coating life by 30–50%.
Licensing thresholds vary by state: WA requires painter registration for work over $1,000 (the lowest threshold nationally), QLD over $3,300, NSW over $5,000, while VIC has a single-trade exemption for painting-only work.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed painters, adjusted for each state and typical job complexity. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential deck and fence painting or staining. Structural timber repairs, new deck construction, and commercial fencing are not included.