How much does it cost to paint a stucco house?
How much does it cost to paint a stucco house?
$1.00 – $5.50 cost per square foot
$2,400 – $8,100 total cost for an average house
Cost to paint a stucco house
Stucco painting costs $1.00 to $5.50 per square foot. The average cost to paint a stucco house is $2,400 to $8,100, depending on the exterior's size, accessibility, and condition. Fog coating a house costs $1.30 to $6.00 per square foot. Stucco color coating costs $1.50 to $8.00 per square foot.
| Home size (square feet) | Paintable area (square feet)* | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 | 800 – 1,200 | $1,000 – $6,600 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 | 1,200 –1,700 | $1,200 – $9,400 |
| 2,000 – 2,500 | 1,700 – 2,100 | $1,700 – $11,600 |
| 2,500 – 3,000 | 2,100 – 2,500 | $2,100 – $13,800 |
| 3,000 – 4,000 | 2,500 – 3,350 | $2,500 – $18,400 |
*Approximate paintable surface area.
Stucco painting house exterior cost
The following table shows the average cost to paint a stucco house.
| National average cost | $5,000 |
| Minimum cost | $1,400 |
| Maximum cost | $19,500 |
| Average cost range | $2,400 to $8,100 |
* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Square foot prices for painting stucco
Painting stucco costs $1.00 to $5.50 per square foot, depending on the home's size, color, accessibility, and exterior condition. Changing to a drastically different color may require more coats, increasing labor and material costs.
| Factor | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Materials | $0.30 – $1.10 |
| Labor | $0.70 – $4.40 |
| Total | $1.00 – $5.50 |
Stucco painting and coating costs by type
Acrylic paint is the most breathable, affordable, and flexible paint, but is more permeable and has lower longevity than elastomeric paint. Fog and color coating are stucco mixtures that provide a longer-lasting finish than paint.
| Application type | Cost per square foot | 2,000 SF home* |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic or elastomeric stucco paint | $1.00 – $5.50 | $1,700 – $9,400 |
| Fog coat stucco | $1.30 – $6.00 | $2,200 – $10,200 |
| Color coat stucco | $1.50 – $8.00 | $2,600 – $13,600 |
*1,700 square feet of paintable surface area.
In comparison, installing new stucco costs $7,400 to $34,000 on average.
Elastomeric stucco painting cost
Elastomeric paint costs $900 to $2,000 more than acrylic paint to cover a 2,000 SF house. Elastomeric paint is ten times thicker than acrylic paint, providing a longer-lasting, flexible, and waterproof finish, ideal for homes experiencing water damage or in wet, storm-prone climates.
| Pros | Cons |
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Fog coat stucco cost
Fog coating a house costs $1.30 to $6.00 per square foot or $2,200 to $10,200 on average. Fog coating refreshes the stucco's color and finish without reducing its breathability. A fog coat is a thin, cement-based, sprayed-on finish that sinks into and becomes part of the existing stucco.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Stucco color coat cost
Color coating stucco costs $1.50 to $8.00 per square foot or $2,600 to $13,600. Stucco color coating adds a thick, pigmented, cementitious layer over existing stucco and provides a longer-lasting finish than paint. However, a color coating's porous finish does not resist stains or add water resistance.
Cost factors to repaint stucco house
Factors affecting the cost include:
Home size & accessibility – Painting a multi-story home costs up to 50% more and requires extension ladders or scaffolding.
Surface age – Houses painted several years ago may be faded and difficult to color match, requiring complete house repainting instead of only touch-ups in small areas.
Stucco paint – Elastomeric paint costs more than standard acrylic paint to cover the same square footage.
Stucco texture – Textured walls require more paint than smooth finishes.
Stucco condition – Stucco repairs cost $8 to $50 per square foot, depending on the stucco type and the damage extent. After repairs, stucco requires 1 to 6 weeks to set before painting.
Labor
Painting contractors charge $20 to $50 per hour.
Labor makes up 70% to 80% of the total cost to paint a house.
Stucco contractors charge $40 to $60 per hour.
Prep work – Power washing a house costs $175 to $360 on average. Repainting an entire house requires thorough cleaning to ensure proper paint adherence.
Exterior detail
Door painting costs $100 to $175.
Exterior trim painting costs $1 to $6 per linear foot.
The cost to paint soffit or fascia is $2 to 7 per linear foot.
Stucco paint prices
Exterior stucco paint costs $30 to $80 per gallon, depending on the type. A 2,000-square-foot stucco home needs 10 to 20 gallons ($300 to $1,600) for two coats of acrylic paint or 40 to 60 gallons ($1,200 to $3,600) for two coats of elastomeric paint.
| Paint type | Price range (per gallon) |
|---|---|
| Elastomeric stucco paint | $30 – $60 |
| Acrylic exterior paint | $30 – $80 |
| Primer | $20 – $50 |
The coverage rate depends on the stucco's texture level. The rougher the texture, the more paint is required.
One gallon of acrylic paint covers 100 to 175 square feet with two coats.
One gallon of elastomeric paint covers 30 to 50 square feet with two coats.
Primer is required on bare stucco and recommended on pre-painted stucco for uniform coverage.
DIY stucco painting cost
DIY stucco painting costs $300 to $1,600 for acrylic paint and materials. Painting stucco is a labor-intensive and complicated DIY project. Project complexity depends on size, the number of cracks and repairs needed, and whether the stucco is painted or bare.
The new paint type also affects the skill needed. Elastomeric paint typically requires professional application.
Painting stucco pros and cons
Painting stucco may cover stains and add water resistance, but it also increases future stucco repair costs and risks bubbling and peeling.
| Pros | Cons |
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Stucco painting FAQs
Can you paint over stucco?
You can paint over once it is cured and dry, which takes 1 to 6 weeks. Painting bare stucco requires a primer. Using a hot stucco primer allows fresh stucco to be painted before curing is complete, but its thickness reduces the stucco texture.
How often does a stucco house need to be painted?
Stucco exterior paint lasts 5 to 7 years on average. The paint's longevity depends on the climate, color, sun exposure, and paint quality. Darker shades in sun-exposed areas may require more frequent repainting.
What kind of paint do you use on stucco?
Water-based acrylic, masonry, and elastomeric paint are suitable for painting stucco.
Acrylic paint is the most breathable and ideal for most stucco homes.
Elastomeric paint repels moisture and benefits homes in areas of high humidity or frequent rain.
Flat or low-gloss paint finishes work best on stucco to hide imperfections.
| Paint type | Features |
|---|---|
| Acrylic |
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| Elastomeric |
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| Masonry |
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Do I need to prime stucco before painting?
Bare stucco requires a primer to create a barrier between the paint and the porous stucco surface. Priming previously painted stucco improves paint adhesion and prevents old and new paint pigments from mixing.
Hiring an exterior stucco painter
Before hiring exterior house painters or stucco contractor near you, remember to:
Get 3 to 5 detailed estimates to compare.
Look for licensed and insured painters or contractors with experience in stucco.
Ask for references or a portfolio of past projects going back at least five years to see how their work holds up over time.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the installation starts. Use a payment plan instead for work completed.
Questions to ask
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
What experience do you have painting stucco?
Do you have a portfolio of your previous work?
Which do you recommend for my home – painting, fog coating, or color coating – and why?
What type of paint do you recommend, and why?
How long should the paint job last?
Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?
How long will it take to complete the project?
About how long does the paint take to dry?
What is and is not included in the estimate?
What additional costs should I expect?
Do you need a permit to paint exterior stucco? If so, do you handle the permitting process?