The cost to stucco a house averages $5,637, and most projects total between $2,200 and $9,112. Your pricing will depend mostly on your home’s size and complexity.
The square footage and number of stories you have are the two biggest cost factors to consider.
Expect to pay between $7 and $9 per square foot for new stucco siding.
Synthetic stucco can cost up to 20% more but is less prone to cracking and provides better insulation.
New stucco siding has an average ROI of close to 70%, making it a good way to boost home value.
Some municipalities require permits for siding replacement, so budget a few hundred dollars more if you need permits.
The average cost to stucco a home is $5,637, with a typical range of $2,200 to $9,112. You could pay as little as $750 to stucco a smaller home with a simple layout or as much as $23,600 for a larger, 3,000-square-foot house with multiple bump-outs and dormers. Factors like the size and complexity of your home and the type of stucco you choose will affect your pricing most.
Stucco prices per square foot fall between $7 and $9, including labor and materials. Compared to other house siding options, stucco falls within the mid-range for cost. Your contractor will base the total on the square footage of siding you need and not your home’s square footage, but you can use the table below to get a ballpark estimate for stucco costs based on home size.
Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost | Cost Range |
---|---|---|
1,000 | $9,600 | $7,200–$13,200 |
1,500 | $11,600 | $8,700–$16,000 |
2,000 | $13,600 | $10,200–$18,700 |
2,500 | $15,600 | $11,700–$21,500 |
3,000 | $17,600 | $13,200–$24,200 |
There are three main types of stucco—traditional, acrylic, and synthetic—and the one you choose will have a significant impact on your total costs. Traditional and acrylic stucco both cost between $6 and $9 per square foot, while synthetic stucco, also called EIFS, costs between $8 and $9 in most cases but can reach up to $12 per square foot.
You can expect to pay an average of 20% more for synthetic stucco, but you also get a more durable siding that’s less likely to crack. For historical homes, you can also opt for lime stucco, which doesn’t include cement. The cost per square foot for this option averages between $6 and $9 per square foot, but you may have difficulty finding a siding contractor that offers this option.
Type of Stucco | Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Acrylic | $6–$9 |
Lime | $6–$9 |
Synthetic (EIFS) | $8–$12 |
Traditional | $6–$9 |
Labor will account for between 50% and 80% or $2,800 to $4,500 of your total, as applying stucco is a time-intensive process that requires a lot of skill.
Your stucco siding installation costs will be above the national average if you live in an area where labor costs more due to a higher cost of living. Homeowners in coastal states and major metropolitan areas will likely spend closer to $9,112
.
Homeowners in states where stucco is more popular will tend to see lower costs. This is because there’s more competition among stucco contractors, and traditional stucco, which is more affordable, is more likely to be an appropriate option for the climate.
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
California | $4,100 |
Florida | $4,000 |
Georgia | $2,200 |
Illinois | $8,600 |
Michigan | $5,600 |
New York | $11,600 |
North Carolina | $18,300 |
Ohio | $5,600 |
Pennsylvania | $5,800 |
Texas | $9,400 |
Home size, stucco type, and location are the most significant cost factors to consider, but other factors can also influence your total.
Unlike other types of siding, a contractor will apply stucco on-site, which means you have options for the type of stucco finish you choose. Stucco with a smooth finish is more expensive than textured stucco because more skill and precision are necessary. Smooth textures require manual application, while a pro who does stucco can add rough textures by spraying on the stucco, which takes less time and reduces your labor costs.
The per-square-foot price may not vary more than $1 to $2 per square foot between different textures, but it’s always good to check with your pro to confirm and weigh alternatives.
Stucco Texture | Description | Avg Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|---|
Smooth | Flat, even surface without texture | $9 |
Sand or Float | Smooth with fine sand particles visible | $7 |
Lace or Skip Trowel | Subtle, irregular pattern resembling lace | $8 |
Dash | Rough surface | $7 |
Cat Face | Irregular, partially filled crevices resembling a cat's paw marks | $8 |
Santa Barbara or Swirl | Smooth surface with subtle swirling pattern | $9 |
Rough or Dragged | Long, irregular lines or grooves | $7 |
Pebbledash | Textured appearance resembling pebbles | $7 |
Scraped | Blend of smooth and textured | $8 |
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 tones and neutral shades. If you’re interested in something more custom, expect to pay more for color matching.
As is the case with all types of siding, the complexity of your project will play a role in your total stucco siding costs. There are a few things that makes stucco application more complicated, which can increase your total.
Multiple bump-outs and dormers: The more interior and exterior corners your home has, the more time it will take your professional to achieve a clean finish.
Wall openings: Windows and doors may require taping before applying sprayed-on stucco finishes, and they’ll all need trim or special attention to finish the areas. The more wall openings you have, the higher your costs will climb.
Condition of existing siding: Unless you stucco over stucco, removing old siding can sometimes uncover water damage or mold growth. Remediating these problems can add thousands to your total.
Permits for siding replacement cost between $100 and $500, in most cases, but your permit fees will depend on your location. Your siding contractor will be responsible for pulling the necessary permits before work starts, but you’ll need to pay the permit fees and any additional fees for final inspections.
Installing stucco siding yourself can save an average of $2,000 to $3,000 on labor, so some homeowners choose to DIY. If you do DIY, the following table should help get you an accurate estimate.
Material | Cost |
---|---|
Base stucco (80 lb) | $10 |
Caulk | $7 |
Finishing stucco (50 lb) | $20 |
Finishing trowel | $15 |
Flashing tape (10 sq. ft.) | $25 |
Float trowel | $15 |
Hawk | $20 |
Sealant (1 gal.) | $20 |
Wire mesh (450 sq. ft.) | $50 |
Even with the above expenses, you’ll save thousands DIYing your stucco siding. However, stucco application is a multi-step process requiring proper surface preparation, mixing of stucco, and allowing adequate time for each layer of stucco to dry and cure. Unless you have experience specifically with stucco siding, it’s best to hire a pro, especially if you want a smooth finish or prefer synthetic stucco.
Additionally, 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, and costly stucco removal. For this reason, we recommend you work with a stucco contractor near you to stucco your house.
Just like any other type of new siding, stucco will increase your home value. Installing stucco provides an average return on investment (ROI) of 70%, or an average home value bump of $3,900.
You’ll see a lower ROI if you live in an area where excessive moisture and rainfall can limit the lifespan of the material, but your ROI could be higher if you live in a hot, sunny climate where stucco is sought after for its durability and insulative properties, or in areas where fire-resistant stucco is a good defense against wildfires.
Stucco can be pricey compared to some other types of siding materials. However, there are a few ways to cut down on the cost:Go with traditional stucco over synthetic. Synthetic stucco lasts longer and is less likely to need maintenance, but it costs an average of 20% more than traditional stucco.
Go with a rough finish. A textured finish costs less than a smooth finish, so consider dash, pebbledash, rough, or a sand/float finish to save.
Try to plan your project during off-season months. Siding contractors are busiest in the fall, and higher demand often means higher costs.
Shop around for a siding contractor and get multiple quotes. Speak with at least three stucco contractors before hiring. This process can help you find the best deal in your area.
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 with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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No, stucco siding tends to be more expensive than vinyl siding. While the materials for stucco are less costly, the labor-intensive application process increases the total project budget. If you're comparing stucco versus vinyl siding based on cost alone, vinyl siding would be the winner there. In terms of longevity, on the other hand, stucco lasts for around 50 years, 10 to 30 years longer than vinyl siding, making it a better long-term investment.
If you're installing stucco in a climate with extreme weather, synthetic stucco may be the only viable option, as it lasts longer, is less prone to cracking, and resists moisture better. Traditional stucco is a suitable option in hot climates where moisture and rainfall are less common, so it’s a good option for affordability both up front and over time in these areas.
Common alternatives to stucco siding include vinyl, aluminum, wood, brick or brick veneer, stone or stone veneer, engineered wood, and fiber cement siding. Stucco is most popular for its insulating properties in hot climates, so if stucco is popular in your area and you’re looking for another material, brick and stone are your best options for insulation. Fiber cement is a good alternative for homeowners concerned that moisture or precipitation will limit the lifespan of their stucco siding.