Average Cost of Stucco
On average, stucco will cost between $6 and $9 per square foot. This factors in the cost of labor and materials, but if you decide to DIY, you can break it down into just the average cost of materials.
Materials
For just the cost of materials for stucco, you can expect to pay around $5 to $6 per square foot. There are some additional costs that come along with it, including the stucco base, which will cost around $31 for a bag that will cover 480 square-feet and the finishing cost, which will cost around $17 for a bag that covers 35 square-feet. If you choose to go the DIY route, you’ll also need additional tools and equipment, which may add costs to your project if you don’t already have these things at home. These are costs that won’t be included in a professional installation, since a stucco company will include these material costs in their estimate.
Labor
If you decide to hire an installation company for your stucco project, the labor will cost around $2 to $3 per square foot. Installing stucco can be a days long project involving proper mixing techniques and ratios to ensure a quality product, drying and wetting of the stucco as needed, layering with the right thickness, and cleaning the home to ensure durability. A quality installation will ensure your stucco stands the test of time. So, while it is possible to DIY your stucco installation, it is often recommended that inexperienced stucco users work with a professional to ensure a quality product that will offer all the benefits of good siding.
Stucco Cost by Style
The cost of your stucco siding may also depend on the style you pick. Traditional stucco siding is made of natural materials like Portland cement and sand, while synthetic stucco siding will include materials like fiberglass and be lighter. Traditional stucco is generally available in more textural options, while synthetic stucco offers more color options. Whichever option you pick can affect the cost of your stucco installation.
Traditional Stucco
Traditional stucco will generally cost $6 to $9 per square-foot for materials and installation, depending on your location, your home’s height, and your home’s age.
Synthetic Stucco
Synthetic stucco will generally cost $7 to $12 per square-foot for materials and installation, due to the addition of synthetic materials like fiberglass. These materials may make synthetic stucco better suited to handle thermal expansion and foundational shifts without cracking.
Stucco Cost by Project Type
The type of stucco installation you are seeking may also affect the price. Replacing stucco or installing new stucco over pre-existing siding types can affect the process and therefore the price.
Replacing Stucco
If you are re-stuccoing a home with existing stucco siding, it can cost anywhere from $9,000 to $13,000. This cost may increase if the stucco on your home currently needs to be removed with sandblasting or power washing.
Stucco Over Brick
Adding stucco over brick costs, on average, around $7 per square-foot. This means it can cost between $10,500 for a 1,500 square-foot home and $35,000 for a 5,000 square-foot home.
Stucco Over Wood Siding
Installing stucco over wood siding usually costs a bit more than installing stucco over brick, on average costing $8.50 per square-foot. This means it can cost between $12,750 for a 1,500-square-foot house and $42,500 for a 5,000-square-foot house.
Cost to Stucco an Entire House
As mentioned with the many ranges of costs above, the cost to stucco your home depends on many factors, including the size of your home and the accessibility of the exterior. The average nationwide cost to stucco the entire exterior of a 1,500 square foot-house is currently just under $10,000. These costs can increase or decrease depending on the size of your home, the amount of prep work involved, and whether you install the stucco yourself or hire a professional.
Cost to Stucco a Portion of the House
If you like the idea of stucco but the costs seem a bit high at this point, or you’re wanting a decorative accent on one area of your home’s exterior, it is very possible to stucco just a portion of the house. The average cost will still lie within the $6 to $9 range per square-foot. Simply multiply this cost by the square footage you’re hoping to cover to estimate the cost of adding stucco to a smaller part of the home.
Stucco Cost Comparison
If these costs sound like a lot in comparison to other siding options you’ve explored, it’s because stucco is generally a bit more expensive up front. Stucco costs more in the initial installation, but it is more durable and stands the test of time better than most other siding options. Some more affordable options include wood and vinyl, which will generally cost around $4 to $15 per square-foot. These siding options generally require a lot of maintenance, and while they may last 20 to 40 years with proper care, stucco can last more than 50 years and provide you with a level of durability that other siding options cannot.
Does Stucco Increase Home Value?
Well-maintained stucco is known to be an impressive and versatile way to increase the value of your home. Covering the costs of stucco installation can offer you a higher value for your home, and the durability to keep this value up over time.
