Does Stucco Increase Home Value?
Stucco is more than just a facade
Home Value Rating: 4/5
New stucco siding adds significant value—with the help of pros, it can truly stand out.
Stucco siding provides a higher ROI in areas where stucco is more common, like the southwestern U.S.
The stucco texture, the size of your home, and the condition of your existing siding all play a role in cost and ROI.
Stucco siding increases home value, with most homeowners seeing a 70% return on investment (ROI). Your ROI could be as low as 60% if you spring for a high-end texture or if stucco is an abnormal option for your neighborhood that doesn’t appeal to local buyers. You could see a higher ROI, though, if stucco is standard in your area, if you live in an extreme climate where stucco can provide energy efficiency, or if stucco is the go-to type of siding where you live.
Factors That Influence Stucco Siding Value
A few things affect the ROI you’ll see from new stucco siding on your home, and you should consider all of these to determine if stucco is the right option for you.
Location
Where you live affects the ROI you’ll see from stucco siding in a few ways. First, the cost to stucco a house mostly goes toward labor, as applying stucco is a time-intensive process. Your installation costs will be disproportionately higher in areas where the cost of living is above average, as labor costs fluctuate accordingly. Higher labor costs will almost always bring ROI down, so your ROI may be under 70% in more expensive areas.
Stucco is also far more popular in southern states, particularly in the southwest region of the U.S., mainly because it's an energy-efficient siding option that helps keep the heat outside. You’ll see a higher ROI from installing stucco in these areas because a homebuyer will understand that the new siding delivers both curb appeal and lower heating and cooling bills after they move in.
Texture
You can choose from a few different finishes for your stucco, and these can impact your installation cost and, as a result, your ROI. Smooth stucco is the most expensive to install, as it requires more time and skill to get right than rough or scraped stucco. Your ROI will likely be a bit higher if you choose a more affordable stucco style, as the installation costs will be lower.
Type of Stucco
You have two types of stucco to choose from: traditional stucco and EIFS, which is commonly referred to as synthetic stucco. Synthetic stucco is more expensive but lasts longer and looks similar, so it may provide a higher ROI if your buyer understands the benefits of going synthetic.
| Type of Stucco | Cost (per sq. ft) | Average ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | $7–$9 | 70% |
| Synthetic | $7–$12 | 75% |
Home Size
Stucco installation costs between $7 and $9 per square foot, so larger homes will cost more for the installation and bring down your ROI a bit. Installing stucco on second stories is more time-consuming and expensive, so your ROI will also average slightly under 70% if you have a multi-story home.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Unlike with most other types of siding, more than 50% of the total cost will go toward labor, so DIYing stucco installation, in theory, should double your ROI. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case in reality. Installing stucco siding takes a lot of skill and experience, and while you can save money by doing it yourself, the finished product won’t look professional unless you’ve installed stucco before, and you may end up with poor curb appeal that hurts your home value rather than raises it.
For the best results, hire a stucco contractor near you. You’ll pay more for the installation, but you’ll see a much higher bump in property value as a result, which makes it worthwhile.
Curb Appeal
Vinyl siding is the most popular type of siding in the U.S., and in areas where vinyl siding prevails, stucco may stand out in an unwelcome way, potentially hurting your ROI. Installing stucco in areas where it’s not a popular siding option will yield a lower ROI, as buyers tend to look for some semblance of conformity to the neighborhood.
On the other hand, you may see a higher than 70% ROI in areas where it’s more popular, like the southwestern states, Florida, and southern California.
How to Estimate the Added Value of New Stucco Siding
With so many factors affecting the ROI of stucco siding, it's important to assess whether it’s a good investment before diving in. Use the following tips to gauge your expected return and decide if it’s the best type of siding for your home.
Look at comparable properties. Look at similar homes in your area and try to see if there’s a pattern when it comes to siding type and sale price. In some areas, homes with stucco siding may go for more than homes with vinyl siding, for example.
Assess your neighborhood. Drive around your neighborhood and take note of what type of siding most homes have. If the majority of them have stucco, then it probably means buyer preference is that siding option, so it’s a good idea to conform a bit and install stucco on your house.
Think about efficiency. Even if you’re not selling your home right away, you may benefit more from stucco siding than another type, especially if you live in a hot climate. Stucco can help improve efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs, which account for more than 50% of most people’s energy bills.
Ask a local real estate agent. Ask your real estate agent what projects would benefit you most before listing. They have a good sense of the local market and can help you make the most of your renovation budget.
Get a home appraisal. Finally, you can order a home appraisal. Most appraisals will include notes about the value determination, which could help you decide if installing stucco would be beneficial.
Cost to Install Stucco Siding
New stucco siding costs an average of $5,600 to install, but prices can climb as high as $38,000 for synthetic stucco with a high-end finish on oversized or complex homes. Your price depends mostly on the cost of living in your area and the size of your home.
| Home Size (sq. ft) | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| 2,000 | $14,000–$18,000 |
| 3,000 | $21,000–$27,000 |
| 4,000 | $28,000–$36,000 |
However, your existing siding matters, too. Installing stucco over existing stucco in decent condition is the most affordable option. The cost to remove stucco can add thousands to your total if the base layer is in poor condition. Installing stucco over brick or stone will add around 10% to your total, as your pro will need more time and material to get a clean look.
Is Stucco Siding Worth It?
Installing new stucco siding can be a worthwhile home improvement project, whether you plan to sell in the near future or continue living in your home.
New siding will almost always improve curb appeal and add value to your home, as it gives potential buyers a positive impression of your property from the moment they arrive to see your house. Stucco is also an energy-efficient siding option, so installing it can save you money on heating and cooling costs, making it a worthwhile investment even if you’re not selling. Stucco is fire-resistant and can be a great investment for safety in areas prone to wildfires.
However, unless you live in a more extreme climate or in areas where stucco siding is the norm, it’s probably not the best option to add value to your home. Stone veneer siding can provide up to a 100% ROI, and for efficiency, insulated vinyl siding is a more insulating option where stucco isn’t popular.
How Angi Gets Its ROI Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners maximize the value of their investments, we gather ROI data from reputable sources, including industry reports, real estate studies, and interviews with market experts. We calculate the average resale value for projects by multiplying the ROI against the project’s average cost according to our cost data, which is sourced from thousands of real Angi customers.
Want to help us improve our data? Send us a recent project quote or home appraisal value to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most significant downsides to stucco is the installation cost, which is higher than that of many other siding options because getting it to look clean and professional is a labor-intensive process. Stucco can also absorb water, making it an unsuitable option for siding in areas that see excessive rainfall. Finally, stucco can crack and chip, especially in extreme weather, and repairs are not only challenging and require help from a professional who does stucco, but can get expensive.
One upside to stucco siding is that it can last for 50 to 80 years, and it’s reasonably low maintenance during that lifespan. However, you’ll need routine maintenance to keep it looking its best, as it will crack and chip as it ages. If you live in an area that sees heavier rainfall, sealing your stucco siding every five to 10 years may be necessary.
Neutral colors like white, tan, beige, and light brown are the most popular stucco colors. Natural stucco has a grayish color due to the high concentration of Portland cement in the material, but most homeowners have their contractors add pigments to create a more inviting appearance. Stucco is most popular in hotter climates, where it provides ample insulation to regulate interior temperatures and keep the solar heat out. Since lighter colors reflect more sunlight, lighter stucco is more prevalent.
Get our Angi-powered app
