How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Stucco House?

Cost to Paint a Stucco House

The cost to paint a stucco house will average $4,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home with a new stucco exterior. Smaller houses may only cost $3,600 to paint. Larger houses could cost $7,200 or more.

Depending on typical costs for your area and type of project, you might pay between $1.80 and $3.60 per square foot. You may need to factor in pressure washing prices as well ($190 to $390). Some houses need pressure washing before painting can take place.

“I grew up in a stucco house, which looked great until it needed to be re-stuccoed and painted,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “I learned that refinishing stucco was a more complicated process than running a paint roller over the surace.”

Stucco Painting House Exterior Cost

*For a 2,000-square-foot home.

Stucco Paint Cost

A 5-gallon bucket of elastomeric and water-based stucco paint ranges from $90 to $190; although, name brands like Behr are $130. You’ll need 10 to 15 gallons to cover a 2,000-square-foot house which will cost between $180 and $570.

Once your new stucco exterior is set, you’ll need to wait about six weeks before you can hire a painter near you. When your house is ready for painting, you have several styles and options to choose from.

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Elastomeric Paint Price

Expect to pay at least $1,500 for just the price of elastomeric paint for a 2,000-square-foot home. It can be tricky to work with, but this type of paint has several benefits.

Elastomeric Paint Pros & Cons

Important Note: Only use water-based paints on stucco. This allows it to breathe.

Stucco Color Coat Cost

The cost to paint a stucco house runs between $1,400 and $6,000. Painters will usually spray on water-based color for this type of exterior.

Keep in mind that, on average, installing new stucco costs $4,380. Depending on the state of your home’s exterior, it could be less expensive to install new stucco rather than to paint it. There are many stucco colors to choose from: green, blue, red, black, and, of course, classic white.

Fog Coat Cost

Using a fog coat costs $1 to $3 per square foot. On a 2,000-square-foot house you’ll probably pay around $2,000 to $4,000, but you could pay up to $6,000.

A fog coat is a combination of pigment, cement and lime.

Fog Coat Pros and Cons

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Stucco Repair and Painting Cost

The average price to repair stucco is $1,220. For a few cracks, you might only pay $250; for more extensive damage you could pay up to $2,000 or more. As tempted as you might be to start rolling on the first coat, you have to repair this surface first. Paint is more prone to peeling if applied to a cracked or dirty stucco.

Expect to wait anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks before painters can start on your house. While some repairs might only need 7-10 days of wait time before painting, fresh stucco applied over repairs needs 6 weeks to set.

DIY vs. Hiring A Stucco Painting Professional

Painting a house exterior is tricky on its own, but stucco has a unique texture and requires equally unique paints and materials to do the job. Professionals have the experience to make your stucco look good and work well.

“Hiring a stucco pro is a good investment,” Tschudi says. “They will know not only how to repair the cracked stucco, but how to apply a new surface to make it look new.”

Because of their extensive experience, stucco professionals can spot any repairs or cleaning needed before applying the final coat. They might also have power washing tools to properly prepare the surface. Renting all the different materials, making necessary repairs and safely (and thoroughly) painting a multi-story home on your own takes a ton of time and experience.

Unless you have the experience of a stucco painter, you might find yourself with a job that lasts only a couple of years (or even needs more expensive repairs). Missing some cracks or using the wrong type of paint could mean painting it all over again, or even foundational issues.

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FAQs

What is stucco?

Stucco is a type of cement or plaster that’s used in construction projects. It’s applied wet and hardens into a durable, dense material in about six weeks. Modern stucco is made of lime, pigment, and cement.

How do you paint a stucco house?

There are three steps to painting stucco.

1. Inspection: Check for any cracks and repair them.

2. Cleaning: Existing stucco might need power washing to clear away any debris.

3. Painting: Professionals spray acrylic, elastomeric, or masonry paint.

If the stucco is newly installed, those first two steps usually take little to no time and painters can hop right to it.

Can you paint over stucco?

You can paint over stucco as long as you use water-based paints (elastomeric and acrylic are most common). Depending on the climate you live in, the paint should last five to 10 years but could last up to 20.

What are the pros and cons of painting stucco?

Overall, there are more benefits to painting stucco than to not — as long as you hire a professional to get the best quality possible.

How much stucco do I need?

The amount of stucco varies greatly based on the size of your house. A 2,000-square-foot house will need at least 22 gallons of bonding mix and about 60 pounds worth of stucco sand. Contact a stucco installation company near you for an estimate.

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