How Much Does Stucco Repair Cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Repair Stucco Near You?

The cost of repairing stucco differs depending on where in the United States you live. Here is a breakdown of the average cost in several regions of the contiguous states.

• Chicago: $3,711

• Philadelphia: $2,676

• Dallas: $2,209

• Denver: $1,587

• San Francisco: $1,547

• Atlanta: $1,014

• Kansas City: $1,106

Stucco Repair Materials Costs

Here are some of the costs of stucco siding and the materials you'll need and how much they'll cost you:

• Traditional stucco: $0.05 to $0.10 per square foot

• Synthetic stucco: $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot

• Finishing materials: $22

• Vapor barrier and metal lath: $40 to $50

• Paint: $300 to $500

So if you repaired traditional stucco on a 1,500-square-foot house, you should expect to pay $437 to $722 for materials. Most of that is the cost of giving your home a new paint job, so without the paint you would only pay about $137 to $222 for the stucco, finishing materials, vapor barrier, and metal lath.

Stucco Repair Labor Costs

You can expect to pay between $60 and $120 per square foot to have a professional repair your stucco for you. However, keep in mind that not all stucco repair professionals charge by the square foot. Some charge based on time spent, and will typically charge $40 to $50 per hour.

Stucco Repair Costs by Square Foot

It costs $60 to $120 per square foot to hire someone to repair stucco, so how much you pay depends heavily on the square footage that needs repair. This table compares three scenarios for a 2,000-square-foot house: repairing a small section on one wall, repairing the stucco on an entire side of the house, and repairing all of the stucco on the house.

Stucco Repair Cost Factors

There is a particularly wide range of high and low costs for stucco repair, and that’s due to three key factors that go into the price.

Extent of Damage

As you can see from the table above, the cost of the project can rapidly grow depending on the size of the area that needs replacing, so the best way to keep costs low is to try to limit the repair to the damaged area. Companies may offer a discount on the standard rate for a whole-house stucco tear off and replacement, but you could still easily pay six figures to get the job done.

Type of Stucco

There are different types of stucco, each with its own price point. For example, you may prefer the advantages of synthetic stucco over traditional stucco, such as more resistance to cracking or breaking. Synthetic stucco will cost you between $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot, which is five times what traditional stucco costs.

Type of Repair

Ideally, you'll only need to patch a small section of stucco, which would involve scraping off the damaged stucco and using some stucco patch available at a hardware store for around $20 to $30 per bucket. However, if you need to completely tear off a section of stucco and replace it, you'll have to hire a professional at the standard $60 to $120 per square foot rate.

Paint

If you need to paint the stucco after you repair it, that will cost you extra as well. Painting a 1,500 square foot home will cost between $300 and $500.

DIY vs. Hire a Stucco Repair Professional

Considering the average price of hiring someone to repair stucco is $1,400, and you're likely to pay less than $750 doing it yourself, it's certainly tempting to try to take on the job yourself. However, keep in mind that this is a difficult, time-intensive job that needs to be done right. And if it’s a bigger job, you’re definitely not going to want to do this yourself.

But even if it’s a relatively small job, it could not only take up your entire weekend or more, but you also may make some mistakes repairing the stucco if you aren't experienced. This can lead to even more costs down the road and may force you to hire a professional anyway.

Usually, it's better to pay a professional and enjoy your weekend while someone else does the hard work—particularly for a job like this.

FAQs

What are signs that I need stucco repair?

The most common sign that you need to repair your stucco is when you see cracks. However, stains, chips, or soft spots should also be looked at in case they indicate underlying damage.

When should I hire a professional?

Hire a professional if it looks like a big job that requires a complete overhaul of your home's stucco. You can attempt to do it on your own, but it is time-consuming and you risk making costly mistakes.

How long does stucco repair take?

If it's a small job like filling up a couple of cracks, it may take only an hour or two. But if your stucco needs a complete overhaul, it could take two or three days. Most jobs tend to last less than a day.