Stucco Contractors
Stucco application, repair, and refinishing for exterior and interior surfaces.
Average Cost
$3,000 - $9,000
Contractors
1+
What is Stucco?
Stucco is a cement-based exterior finish that has been used on homes and commercial buildings for centuries, providing a seamless, weather-resistant surface that can be textured and colored to suit virtually any architectural style. Traditional three-coat stucco consists of a scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat applied over metal lath attached to the building's sheathing, totaling about seven-eighths of an inch thick. Modern one-coat stucco systems use a single application of polymer-modified cement over foam insulation boards, offering improved energy efficiency and faster installation.
Stucco is especially popular in the Southwest, Southeast, and West Coast regions of the United States, where its ability to breathe while shedding water makes it ideal for warm, dry climates. In wetter climates, proper installation of a weather-resistant barrier, metal lath, and weep screeds at the base is critical to prevent moisture from becoming trapped behind the stucco and damaging the underlying structure. Improper installation in humid climates is the primary cause of stucco failures, not the material itself.
Stucco maintenance is straightforward but important. Hairline cracks should be filled with elastomeric caulk or patching compound before they allow moisture intrusion. The surface can be cleaned with a garden hose and soft brush, and recoated or repainted every 10 to 15 years to refresh the appearance. For damaged stucco, a skilled contractor can cut out and patch sections to match the existing texture and color, though achieving a perfect match on aged stucco can be challenging.
Stucco Cost Breakdown
| Project Size | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Small repair or accent area (50-200 sq ft) | $800 | $3,000 |
| Partial re-stucco (500-1000 sq ft) | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Full home exterior (1500-3000 sq ft) | $10,000 | $30,000 |
What Affects Stucco Cost?
- 1Wall area and building height determine the total scope, with multi-story projects requiring scaffolding that adds $2 to $5 per square foot.
- 2System type affects pricing: traditional three-coat stucco costs $7 to $10 per square foot, while one-coat systems with foam board range from $8 to $13 per square foot.
- 3Surface preparation including removing old siding, repairing sheathing, and installing weather barriers adds to the base cost.
- 4Texture and color options influence the finish coat cost, with custom integral colors and hand-troweled textures costing more than standard spray-applied finishes.
- 5Repair and patch work is priced differently than new installation, typically at $8 to $50 per square foot depending on the extent of damage and matching difficulty.
Questions to Ask Your Stucco Contractor
- ✓Do you recommend a traditional three-coat system or a one-coat system for my home, and what are the trade-offs?
- ✓How do you handle the weather-resistant barrier and lath installation to prevent moisture problems?
- ✓What textures and color options are available, and can you apply a sample area on my wall before proceeding?
- ✓For repair work, how closely can you match the existing texture and color of my current stucco?
- ✓What warranty do you provide on your stucco work, and does it cover cracking or moisture-related damage?