How Much Does It Cost To Stucco A House?

Made from limestone, sand, water and Portland cement, stucco is simple to repair, weather-resistant and durable.

These are of course fantastic qualities for any building material, especially when said material plays a large role in protecting your home from poor weather!

How Much Does It Cost To Stucco A House?

But how much does it cost to stucco a house? Is it affordable?

The answer will differ for each individual, but in this article we’ll break down all the costs and answer some other burning questions regarding this popular siding.

How Much Does It Cost To Stucco A Whole House?

The cost to stucco a whole house will be dependent on how big the house is. The average cost across the US ranges from $8,000 to $11,100 for materials and labor.

More specifically, a 1,500 square-foot home tends to cost around $9,525.

Now, this may sound quite expensive when compared to other kinds of siding. This is understandable, as wood exterior siding tends to cost around $3,000. 

However, the cost to stucco a whole house is relative. It will be dependent on:

How big your home is, and how big the surface is that you wish to stucco.

How much preparation is involved. If you need to remove or repair old stucco, you will need to take the overall cost of the job into account. If you are starting from scratch, then the project will probably be cheaper. 

Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself.

The labor costs will be more if you hire a contractor, but while you may save money doing the job yourself, buying the supplies to get the job done may not be as economical as you think.

What Is The Average Cost To Stucco A House Partially?

If stucco for your whole house is cost-prohibitive and you just want to use stucco on a part of your home, then this is definitely achievable.

The average cost will differ depending on the factors we mentioned above to stucco a whole house, but the total cost will be a lot cheaper. This formula clarifies things further: 

To calculate the cost, multiply the average cost per square foot by the total number of square feet included in the project (see also “How Much Does It Cost To Install 1,000 Square Feet Of Laminate Floors?“). This gives you an approximate estimate.

For instance, at an average of $8 per square, the total cost for a 12×9 footwall (108 square feet) would be $864. You can use the equation that also applies to a full stucco project.

What Is The Average Cost Of Stucco (Labor And Materials)?

You can anticipate paying between $6 and $9 per square foot to stucco your home.

This includes materials and labor. The labor part of the project (if you hire a contractor instead of doing it yourself) will cost a further $2 and $3 per square foot

The cost of the stucco materials can be between $5 to $6 per square foot.

You will also need to take the cost for the stucco base into account (this costs roughly $31 a bag for 480-square-feet), and the cost for the finishing coat (this costs roughly $17 for a bag that covers 35-square-feet). 

Other costs to consider include any essential equipment or supplies that you don’t have already. However, this won’t be an issue if you hire a professional, as they will already have the necessary equipment and supplies. 

When Should I Install Stucco?

Stucco is slightly more challenging than other kinds of siding when it comes to finding the right time of year to take on this project.

However, you should stucco your home when freezing temperatures or rain are unlikely.

If freezing temperatures occur during the first 2 days of installation, it will weaken the durability and strength of the stucco. This can cause cracks and other aesthetic and structural issues, and may lead to expensive repairs later.

The best time of year to install stucco will be dependent on where you live. Still, wherever you live, the warmest season is the best time to install stucco.

While contractors may charge slightly yes to stucco your house in the off season, it’s worth waiting to stucco your house in warmer seasons.

How Much Does It Cost To Stucco A House? (1)

Is Repairing Stucco Expensive?

Maybe you are dealing with stucco siding that needs some touching-up. You may be wondering if you need to completely remove the stucco and start over again, or if you can repair the stucco. Luckily, repairing stucco can be done. 

If you’re taking this on yourself, then the cost will not be much different to installing new stucco, with a couple of extra costs to remove the damaged or old section.

For many, this will just be equipment and tools (unless you already have the tools, such as chisels and hammers). 

If you would like to hire a professional to take on the project, then you will likely pay a set price according to the size of the area that needs to be repaired.

Of course, the larger the repair, the more expensive it will be.

Although stucco is known for being durable, it’s still recommended to regularly inspect the stucco for rot or cracks. While rot is rare on stucco applied in the last 30 years, you can’t ever be too careful.

This way, you can deal with small damage straight away rather than ignoring the problem until it turns expensive. 

What Is Engineered Stucco?

The price predictions we’ve made are based on the price of traditional stucco that is made from limestone and cement. However, there is another option, and this is engineered stucco.

Known for its durability and flexibility, engineered stucco is made from acrylic. It is also a lot lighter than traditional stucco and it’s a great insulator, so it will cool your home down in the summer and stay warm in the winter. 

In terms of cost, while the material is cheaper than traditional stucco, the labor is around twice the price. Unlike traditional stucco, you can’t install it yourself. It’s not DIY friendly and will need professional help to install. 

Final Thoughts

We hope our article has clarified how much it costs to stucco your home so you can budget for a potential stucco project! While traditional stucco is DIY-friendly however, engineered stucco is not.

Luke Powell
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