Re-Stucco and Stucco Remodel Cost in California: General Estimates
Re-stucco means removing or covering the old exterior stucco and applying new stucco across a wall or the whole house. It is a much larger job than patching, and prices in California are usually quoted per square foot of wall, then adjusted for the house. This guide gives general ranges and the questions that matter. For smaller fixes see the stucco repair cost guide.
General ranges
These are broad illustrative ranges, not averages from data:
| Job | General range |
|---|---|
| New stucco applied over prepared wall, per square foot | roughly $10 to $25 per sq ft |
| Removing old stucco before new work | extra, often several dollars per sq ft |
| Whole-house re-stucco | often $15,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on size, stories and condition |
| Color coat or coating after new stucco | roughly $2 to $6 per sq ft |
A one-story house and a large two-story house with many corners and details can land far apart even at the same per-foot price.
Re-stucco versus stucco over stucco
Some jobs apply a new finish over sound existing stucco after repairs. Others need the old stucco removed, because it is loose, cracked through, or hiding water damage. A contractor should explain which one applies and why. Removal costs more and adds disposal, but it lets the contractor see and fix the lath, paper and framing behind the wall.
What a full job normally includes
- Inspecting the walls and noting damage, including around windows, doors and rooflines.
- Protecting windows, landscaping and surfaces, and setting up scaffolding where needed.
- Repairing or replacing lath, weather-resistant paper and flashing as needed.
- Applying the stucco coats, which on traditional cement stucco are a scratch coat, a brown coat and a finish coat, with curing time between coats.
- Texture and color of the finish coat, and sometimes a paint or elastomeric coating.
- Cleanup and hauling away debris.
What changes the price
- Square footage and stories. Height means scaffolding and more labor.
- Condition behind the wall. Hidden water damage is the biggest unknown.
- Detail. Foam trim, arches, quoins, many windows and corners all add time.
- Finish and color. Integral color, specialty textures and multi-step finishes cost more than a basic sand finish.
- Permits. Larger jobs are more likely to need a permit, and rules differ by city and county.
- Drying time and weather. Stucco cures in coats, so jobs run over several days to weeks.
Questions to ask
- Is the price per square foot or a total, and what exactly is the area?
- Is old stucco removed or covered, and who pays for hidden repairs?
- How many coats, what finish, and what color process?
- Which license and insurance does the contractor hold? Check at cslb.ca.gov.
- What are the payment schedule and the written warranty?
Find companies
See the stucco remodel and re-stucco page or browse companies by county. Few listings name re-stucco explicitly, so ask each company directly whether it takes whole-house jobs.