How Much Does It Cost to Stain Brick in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Thinking about giving your brick home a fresh new look? Staining your brick exterior is an excellent way to transform your home's appearance while preserving its natural charm. Brick staining costs $1 to $4 per square foot, averaging around $2.50 per square foot. It’ll cost $1,580 to $6,320 for the average home with 1,580 square feet of exterior brick wall. For a 300-square-foot area, you’ll pay $300 to $1,200. Labor costs $40 to $80 per hour.

Staining Brick Costs per Square Foot

On average, staining brick costs about $2.50 per square foot, including both labor and materials. Prices typically range from $1 to $4 per square foot, depending on factors like stain quality, brick condition, and how easily the exterior can be accessed. While staining takes around the same amount of time as painting, it offers the advantage of preserving the brick's natural texture and allowing it to breathe, preventing moisture buildup.

Staining Brick Prices per Hour

Labor costs range from $40 to $80 per hour (not including the cost of the materials).

Brick Stain Prices and Color Options

Brick stain usually costs between $30 and $60 per gallon or $130 to $170 for a 5-gallon bucket, with prices remaining consistent regardless of the color you choose. This allows you the flexibility to select a color that best complements your home's aesthetic. Popular color options include:

• Rustic brown

• Old English red

• Blue glaze

• Charcoal

• Yellow stock

Rustic brown or red stains add warmth to brick, whereas blue or charcoal stains add darker tones. On the other hand, yellow stains brighten brick.

Brick Staining Cost Factors

If you’re planning a brick staining project, here are key cost factors to consider. Preparing properly for the stain job will ensure that your stain will last as long as possible.

Repairs

Brick repair costs vary depending on the amount of work required. If your brick wall needs any repairs, you should take care of them before starting your stain project.

The costs of repointing and tuckpointing vary between $3 to $15 per square foot for repointing and $5 to $25 per square foot for tuckpointing. Mortar typically lasts 25 years, after which it can begin to deteriorate.

More extreme repairs have higher price points. For example, if you need to fix spalling brick, a pro needs to remove and replace the damaged brick. Spalling brick is crumbly and pitted from exposure to harsh elements.

Cleaning

It’s important to pressure wash your brick wall before applying the stain. The stain will seep into the brick better when the painter applies it to a clean wall. Also, if your brick wall has a sealant, the sealant must be removed before a painter can apply the stain. This can be done with a power wash.

Pressure washing a house costs an average of $310, but you could pay between $100 and $700. The costs increase if there is a lot of moss build-up on the brick walls because it takes longer to get the job done.

Number of Stories

You can expect your staining costs to increase by 25% to 50% for each additional story. Besides the additional square footage that needs to be stained, painters may have to set up scaffolding to get the job done safely.

Spray vs. Brush Application

Professional painters typically use a paint sprayer to apply stain to brick walls. It’s much quicker than using a brush, and it works very well. However, if you decide you only want the bricks stained while keeping the mortar its original color, you’ll need to ask for a brush application. This can cost twice as much as a sprayer application.

Brick Staining Benefits and Drawbacks

Staining your brick exterior offers numerous benefits, including enhancing curb appeal and protecting your home against harsh weather conditions, all while allowing the brick to breathe naturally. It's an effective way to refresh your home's look without covering the unique texture of the brick. However, keep in mind that brick stain is difficult to remove once applied. While staining provides many color options, some homeowners prefer painting for a broader range of shades. Considering that bricking a house costs an average of $24,000, investing in staining is a smart choice to preserve and protect your brick exterior.

DIY vs. Hiring a Brick Staining Contractor

While staining brick might seem straightforward, achieving an even and lasting finish can be challenging and time-consuming. Hiring a local painter ensures the job is done correctly, saving you time and potentially preventing costly mistakes. When selecting a brick staining contractor, consider the following:

• Check the painter’s license and insurance.

• Ask whether they guarantee their work.

• Find out what stain you want and ask them what they recommend.

• Review payment terms and quality expectations before work begins.

• Verify and sign off on the correct type and color of stain.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.