What Does Stucco Repair Cost?

83
repairing concrete walls close-up view of the hands of the master

For more than a hundred years, stucco has been a versatile, durable and cost-effective material used to improve the quality and durability of residential and commercial buildings. Overall, stucco is weather-resistant, durable and easily maintained, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get damaged. If you notice cracks, exposed netting, or any other kind of damage, stucco repair is needed.

Below, we break down why you should pay for stucco repairs and how much it can cost.

Why Pay For Stucco Repair

Enhance Curb Appeal

One of the main benefits of stucco is that it looks good. Having an aesthetically pleasing home or business doesn’t just make your time there more enjoyable, but it also increases the building’s curb appeal. If your stucco is beginning to show flakes, cracks, and other blemishes caused by long-term exposure or poor installation, it can become less than pleasing to see.

 Improve Functionality

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same concept applies to your stucco. When stucco deteriorates and gets cracks and damages, the overall function will be negatively affected. For example, stucco is moisture resistant and can help reduce mould growth. But, if there is a crack, the next time it rains, moisture can bypass the stucco barrier, compromising the health and safety of your property.

Keep Energy Efficiency

Yes, it costs money to repair damaged stucco. But it’s a lot more cost-effective to pay for stucco repairs than it is to leave it be. Stucco is a product that helps your home maintain its energy efficiency. It helps keep your place cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reducing your energy bills. When there are gaps in stucco due to damage, it becomes impossible to maintain that high level of energy efficiency.

Cost of Stucco Repair

Naturally, the cost of stucco repair is dependent on the amount of damage, materials needed for repairs, the amount of time repairs will take, labour costs, the type of stucco you have, and the stucco contractors you hire to do the job. Let’s take a look at the various factors that influence the cost of stucco repairs.

General Stucco Repair Costs

For smaller repairs like fixing cracks and patching holes, it could cost you a flat rate ranging from $200 to $800 or $8 to $50 per square foot. Larger jobs that require more significant work, such as fixing an area with severe water damage, can cost between $1000 and $4000 dollars. The jump in price from smaller to bigger repairs is a good reason to catch stucco problems before they become too significant.

Cost to Remove Stucco

Sometimes cracks and holes in stucco can be repaired without extra maintenance around the damaged area. But sometimes, you’ll need to have the old stucco removed to apply the new stucco properly. Stucco removal generally costs between $1.05 and $1.20 per square foot, which is good because usually, stucco removal is only needed in small areas of your home. However, if you are going to remove all the stucco from your home, the average cost ends up ranging from $900 to $2100. Depending on the contractors you hire to do the job, you may also need to pay a disposal fee for the old materials.

Type of Stucco: Traditional vs Synthetic (EIFS)

 Traditional Stucco

Traditional stucco is made from cement, sand, lime and water. These materials make traditional stucco cheap, heavy, strong and provide excellent moisture resistance. Since traditional stucco is cheaper than its synthetic counterpart, repairs are usually also less expensive. Materials cost around eight cents per square foot, plus labour costs. Labour costs are where most of your money will go when paying for stucco repair because you usually won’t need a ton of materials for the purpose of repairs.

Synthetic Stucco

Synthetic stucco, also known as exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), is made up of, well, synthetic materials. These materials include a foam insulation board, a coat of pre-mixed synthetic stucco, fibreglass mesh, and a final coat. Because synthetic stucco is softer, more energy-efficient, and lasts longer than traditional stucco, you can expect to pay a higher cost for the materials you need for repairs. EIFS materials cost closer to 25 cents per square foot, plus labour costs.

DIY Stucco Repair Kits

If you only need minor stucco repairs and don’t want to spend a ton of money on labour costs when you can take care of the problem yourself, try a stucco repair kit. Depending on the size of the kit and the strength of the concrete, you can grab one of these for around five to 300 dollars at your local hardware store. Here are a few things to keep an eye on when shopping for a stucco repair kit:

  • Look for kits that contain additives to speed up drying time.
  • Some kits don’t require mixing cement and are made for small cracks.
  • For small projects, look for kits that come pre-mixed for a simple and streamlined process.

This option is only recommended if you have the time and ability to tackle the project without professional help.

Stucco Remediation

Sometimes, stucco repair just isn’t enough to fix the problem. In those situations, you need stucco remediation. Stucco remediation is the complete repair and replastering of the entire wall system to fix underlying issues that cause damage. Water damage caused by moisture penetration is one of the main culprits that force homeowners to get stucco remediation.

The big problem with stucco remediation, as you may have already guessed, is that it’s expensive. Fortunately, the cost of stucco remediation may be covered by your home insurance, but if it isn’t, you could be looking at thousands of dollars to get your home back to normal. The average cost for stucco remediation could be anywhere from $1000 to $9000, depending on the project’s square footage.

Avoiding Stucco Repair

The best way to keep your stucco repair costs down is to avoid them completely. Stucco is incredibly durable, and if you spend the proper amount of time and effort into maintaining your stucco, you’ll never even need to spend a dime on repairs.