How Much Does It Cost to Stucco a House? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,194 - $9,028
Stucco siding costs $5,564, but it can range between $2,194 and $9,028, depending on your home’s size and more.
Stuck on stucco for your home? Nobody can blame you for wanting this fresh look that stands up to weather and wind like a champ. The average cost for stucco siding is $5,564, with a typical range of $2,194 and $9,028. Factors like the complexity of your home, your desired finish, and the popularity of stucco in your local area can all sway prices.
- Average
- $5,564
- Low end
- $750
- high end
- $23,000
How Much Does Stucco Cost Per Square Foot?
With stucco prices per square foot falling somewhere between $7 and $9, including labor and materials. Size is only one factor in the total cost. Choices around stucco color and finishes can also drive up these costs. Compared to other house siding options, stucco falls within the mid-range for cost.
| Home Size In Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2,000 | $14,000–$18,000 |
| 3,000 | $21,000–$27,000 |
| 4,000 | $28,000–$36,000 |
Stucco Siding Cost Factors
As you're budgeting stucco siding costs, there are two main factors to consider: materials and labor.
Materials
"Base stucco" typically costs around $30 per 12-pound bag. Each bag will cover between 320 and 480 square feet with a two-coat application. Next up is a special finishing stucco costing around $20 per each 80-pound bag, capable of covering 35 square feet. Other materials needed for the project include:
Sealants
Weather stripping
Exterior-grade caulking
Corrosion-resistant fasteners
Flashing
Your pro will handle sourcing all these materials themselves and account for it in the total cost of the project.
Labor
The average labor costs when getting new siding range from $1 to $3 per square foot. While this accounts for all siding types, stucco application can be slightly more expensive due to the expertise needed. Within the stucco category, labor costs for synthetic and smooth stucco are higher than for traditional stucco because more precision is required. Things like accessibility, home height, and home age can also alter labor costs.
Stucco Texture
Stucco can come in a variety of different textures and finishes to achieve your desired aesthetic. Stucco with a smooth finish is more expensive than textured stucco because more skill and precision are needed during application. The per square foot price may not very widely between different textures, but it’s always good to check with your pro to confirm and weight alternatives.
Some of the most popular textures include:
| Stucco Texture | Description |
|---|---|
| Smooth | Flat, even surface without texture |
| Sand or Float | Smooth with fine sand particles visible |
| Lace or Skip Trowel | Subtle, irregular pattern resembling lace |
| Dash | Rough surface |
| Cat Face | Irregular, partially filled crevices resembling a cat's paw marks |
| Santa Barbara or Swirl | Smooth surface with subtle swirling pattern |
| Rough or Dragged | Long, irregular lines or grooves |
| Pebbledash | Textured appearance resembling pebbles |
| Scraped | Blend of smooth and textured |
Color
Your stucco siding pro can usually offer a wide array of colors to match your vision. Most stucco pros will come with color swatches in traditional earth tone and neutral shades. If you’re interested in something more custom, expect to pay more for color matching.
Permits
Building permits for stucco siding can very widely depending on your location, but in many areas a permit is needed for this type of project. Permits for exterior renovations or modifications cost around $100 to $500. Your siding contractor will be responsible for pulling the necessary permits before work starts.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Stucco by Project Type?
Depending on your siding project, the cost will vary. Replacing siding may be less expensive than adding stucco over brick or wood siding, but it will depend heavily on the size of the area.
Replacing Stucco
If you're re-stuccoing a home, the average price is between $9,000 and $13,000. Re-stuccoing a home can add more than $1,000 to the project if you need sandblasting and power washing to remove your existing stucco.
Adding Stucco Over Brick
Adding stucco over brick can cost between $10,455 for a 1,500-square-foot home and $34,850 for a 5,000-square-foot home. The average cost for placing stucco over bricks lands at $7 per square foot.
Adding Stucco Over Wood Siding
If you're giving outdated wood siding a crisp makeover, the average cost to slap some stucco over your wood is $8.50 per square foot. That puts total project costs between $12,750 for a 1,500-square-foot house and $42,500 for a 5,000-square-foot house.
Cost of Installing Traditional Stucco vs. Synthetic Stucco
There are two primary types of stucco siding: traditional and synthetic. The type you choose will impact that cost but the price per square foot isn't outlandishly different between the three options. This is different from final stucco texture, as it refers to the core materials that go into making the stucco. Below is a summary of the pros and cons of each.
| Traditional Stucco | Synthetic Stucco |
|---|---|
| $7 to $9 per square | $7 and $12 per square foot |
| Longer lasting | Less prone to cracking |
| Low maintenance | Better insulation |
| Available in more textures | Less texture variety |
| Limited colors | Available in more colors |
Adding Stucco Siding Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Stucco can be a difficult substance to install yourself without prior experience. Stucco application is a multi-step process requiring proper surface preparation, mixing of stucco, and allowing time to dry and cure.
Any mistakes during the process could lead to more expensive repairs down the road. Incorrectly installed stucco can lead to trapped moisture, damaged walls, reduced durability, chips and cracks, or costly stucco removal.
If you do have existing experience, you’ll only be responsible for materials, saving yourself around $1 to $3 per square foot. If you're using traditional stucco, it is possible to add stucco siding to your home on your own. However, synthetic stucco siding requires a complex installation process that is not suitable for DIY projects.
How to Save Money on Stucco Installation
To give your budget some wiggle room, there are steps you can take to save some money on stucco siding installation. To reduce your siding replacement cost, you can remove the old siding yourself. This cuts down on hours of work for contractors. Consider planning your project during off-season months. For example, planning your project during the fall can result in discounted siding materials and labor. Shop around for a siding contractor and get multiple quotes. This process can help you find the best deal in your area.
If you know how to stucco a house, you can save a significant amount of money by DIYing this project. However, this project is a big undertaking if you don't have the skills and experience to complete it, so only move forward with DIY if you're extremely confident in your abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, stucco siding tends to be more expensive compared with vinyl siding. While the materials are slightly more expensive, the labor cost is what increases the total project budget. Installing stucco is a labor-intensive project that requires more manpower. If you're comparing stucco vs. vinyl siding based on cost alone, vinyl siding would be the winner there.
Properly installed stucco can increase your home value, but how much depends on several factors. Market trends and regional preferences can influence this, so research if this material is a popular choice for homeowners in your area. There are some insulation and energy efficiency benefits with stucco that can appeal to buyers as well.
If you're installing stucco in a climate with extreme weather, synthetic stucco may be the only viable option for avoiding damage. While synthetic is more expensive and difficult to install, it is the most durable option.