Traditional three-coat stucco costs about $6.36 to $9.66 per square foot installed, according to This Old House using Homewyse data. That works out to about $24,150 for a 2,500 sq ft home[1], and This Old House's siding replacement guide puts stucco on a 2,000 sq ft home at about $19,320[2]. Synthetic stucco (EIFS) costs more, at about $10–$18 per sq ft[1]. Angi lists stucco at $7–$9 per sq ft[3].
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Stucco cost by system type
| System | Installed cost / sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional (3-coat cement stucco) | $6.36 – $9.66[1] | Scratch, brown and finish coats over lath; the most common system |
| One-coat stucco systems | $3 – $9.75[1] | Fewer coats and faster to apply |
| EIFS (synthetic stucco) | $10 – $18[1] | Foam insulation board plus a synthetic finish; materials $7.25–$10, labor $2.95–$7.50 |
Other published ranges include $7–$9 per sq ft (Angi)[3] and $7–$17 per sq ft installed (HomeGuide)[4]. Labor for traditional stucco averages about $3.30 per sq ft in the This Old House data[1]. Stucco is labor-intensive, so contractor availability in your area matters a lot.
Cost by home size
Stucco is priced on exterior wall area. This Old House estimates wall area as floor area plus about 10% for walls, peaks and trim, then multiplies by $9.66 per sq ft, the top of its traditional-stucco range[1]:
| Home size | Exterior wall area | Average stucco cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft | 1,100 – 1,650 sq ft | $10,626 – $15,939 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 sq ft | 1,650 – 2,200 sq ft | $15,939 – $21,252 |
| 2,000 – 2,500 sq ft | 2,200 – 2,750 sq ft | $21,252 – $26,565 |
| 2,500 – 3,000 sq ft | 2,750 – 3,300 sq ft | $26,565 – $31,878 |
The same guide's headline average is about $24,150 for a 2,500 sq ft house[1]. It also says DIY materials for a 1,500 sq ft home cost about $9,540, compared with $14,490 professionally installed[1].
For comparison, This Old House's siding replacement guide estimates $12,252 for vinyl and $23,400 for cedar on a 2,000 sq ft home[2]. Stucco therefore sits in the middle of the market: well above vinyl and below cedar or stone veneer.
Cost depends on what it goes over
The wall underneath changes the prep work (lath, bonding agents, weather barriers). This Old House's per-square-foot figures by substrate[1]:
| Applied over | Installed / sq ft |
|---|---|
| Brick | $14.16 |
| Wood framing / sheathing | $11.70 |
| Concrete / block | $9.50 |
| Metal | $7.32 |
Removal, scaffolding and extras
- Removing old stucco: about $3,122 for a 2,500 sq ft house (This Old House)[1]. Stucco removal is dusty, heavy work, so confirm disposal is included.
- Scaffolding: about $50–$100 per day[1]. Two-story walls almost always need it.
- Insulation upgrades: This Old House cites about $7,569 for a 2,500 sq ft house if added during the project[1].
- Permits: $150–$1,500 depending on location (Angi's general siding range)[3].
- Weather-resistive barrier and flashing: essential behind stucco, especially over wood framing, because trapped moisture is the main way stucco walls fail.
Stucco repair costs
Most stucco projects are repairs, not new walls. Published repair figures:
| Repair | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General stucco repair | $8 – $20 per sq ft | This Old House[1] |
| Extensive damage (structural / moisture) | up to $120 per sq ft | This Old House[1] |
| Stucco repair (range) | $9 – $50 per sq ft | Angi[5] |
| Crack filling (siding generally) | $500 – $800 | Angi[5] |
This Old House suggests considering full replacement when more than about 25% of a wall is damaged[1]. Hairline cracks are normal as stucco cures and the house settles. Wide or stair-step cracks, bulging, staining below windows, or soft spots suggest water getting behind the stucco and warrant a moisture inspection. More in our siding repair cost guide.
How long does stucco last?
Properly installed stucco is one of the longest-lasting claddings: This Old House cites 50–100 years[1], and Angi lists 50+ years[3]. It is fire-resistant and performs especially well in hot, dry climates. It is less forgiving in wet or freeze-thaw climates, where drainage details and control joints are critical.
Stucco vs. other siding
| Material | Installed / sq ft (This Old House / Homewyse) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $3.16 – $6.13[1] | 20 – 40 yrs[2] |
| Fiber cement | ~$9[2] | 50+ yrs[2] |
| Stucco | $6.36 – $9.66[1] | 50 – 80 yrs[2] (50–100 per TOH stucco guide[1]) |
| Cedar | ~$11.70[2] | 20 – 40 yrs[2] |
On resale, This Old House says homeowners typically recoup about 70% of stucco installation costs, compared with about 80% for vinyl siding[1].
In hot-dry metros like Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and much of Southern California, stucco is the dominant exterior. See best siding by city and climate and local pages such as Phoenix and Tucson.
Warning signs on existing stucco
Stucco problems are often moisture problems underneath. Hairline cracks are common and usually cosmetic, but these signs deserve a closer look by a stucco specialist or inspector:
- Cracks wider than a hairline, or cracks that radiate from window and door corners
- Dark staining or streaks below windows, rooflines and light fixtures
- Bulging, hollow-sounding or soft areas when pressed
- Mold or musty odors on interior walls behind stucco
This Old House suggests replacing rather than patching when more than about a quarter of a wall is damaged[1]. Smaller areas can be patched, but matching color and texture takes skill: Angi notes that smooth-textured stucco repairs can reach $50 per sq ft for this reason[5].
Questions to ask a stucco contractor
- Is this a traditional three-coat system, one-coat, or EIFS, and why is it right for this wall?
- What lath, weather-resistive barrier and weep screed will be used at the base of the wall?
- Where will control joints go, and how long will each coat cure before the next?
- Is the finish an integral-color coat or paint, and what will future repainting involve?
Getting an accurate stucco quote
- Measure your wall area, then try the siding cost calculator (stucco preset).
- Ask whether the bid is traditional three-coat, one-coat or EIFS, and what weather barrier and lath are included.
- For repairs, ask for moisture testing around windows and the base of walls before patching.
- Compare at least three itemized quotes. See how to compare siding quotes.
Sources
- This Old House, "Stucco Siding Cost (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Apr 10, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Siding Replacement Cost (2026 Pricing) (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Jun 12, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Install Siding? [2026 Data]", Rachel Hoffman (updated Oct 9, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How to get and compare siding estimates →
More cost guides
Prices on this page are third-party figures as published by each source, with the date we accessed them. Sources measure different scopes (some include tear-off, trim and soffit), so ranges are shown side by side, not averaged. The calculator uses SidingCostEstimate editorial estimate rates. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stucco siding cost per square foot?
Traditional stucco costs about $6.36–$9.66 per sq ft installed (This Old House/Homewyse), or about $24,150 for a 2,500 sq ft house. EIFS costs $10–$18 and one-coat systems $3–$9.75. Angi lists stucco at $7–$9 per sq ft. Sources accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How much does it cost to stucco a 2,000 sq ft house?
This Old House estimates about $19,320 for a 2,000 sq ft home and $24,150 for 2,500 sq ft, using Homewyse data.
How much does stucco repair cost?
This Old House lists $8–$20 per sq ft for typical repairs, up to $120 per sq ft for extensive damage, Angi gives $9–$50 per sq ft.
Is stucco cheaper than vinyl siding?
No. This Old House's Homewyse data puts vinyl at $3.16–$6.13 per sq ft vs. $6.36–$9.66 for traditional stucco, though stucco lasts much longer (50–100 years).
When should stucco be replaced instead of repaired?
This Old House suggests replacement when more than about 25% of a wall is damaged, or when moisture damage behind the stucco is widespread.