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How much does it cost to paint a stucco house?
By Luke Daugherty
Last updated Fri, Dec 13
The national average cost to paint a stucco house ranges from $4,101-$6,692 for a 2,500-square-foot house in good condition. Apart from square footage, the cost of painting existing stucco depends on factors like labor, materials, the condition of your home and your location.
Average cost to paint a stucco house:
| National average cost range | $4,101-$6,692 |
| National average cost per square foot | $1.64-$2.68 |
*All figures above represent costs for a 2,500-square-foot home in good condition. Figures also include market price fluctuations.
This article breaks down the cost to paint the exterior of a stucco house in detail. Read on to learn more about what factors can impact stucco painting costs and how to save money along the way.
But remember: it’s always best to get free cost estimates from professional stucco painters near you when finalizing your budget for this project.
What's in this cost guide?
- Average cost to paint a stucco house:
- Material, equipment and labor costs to paint a stucco house.
- How the condition of your home’s exterior affects costs.
- Other factors that affect stucco painting costs.
- 3 tips for saving money when painting stucco.
- Is it hard to paint a stucco house?
- Get free cost estimates from stucco painters near you.
Material, equipment and labor costs to paint a stucco house.
| National average labor cost | National average material cost | National average equipment cost |
| $3,253-$5,302 | $722-$1,202 | $125-$187 |
*All figures above represent costs for a 2,500-square-foot home in good condition. Figures do NOT include market price fluctuations.
Stucco painting jobs are not for the average DIY enthusiast. It takes skill and experience to paint exterior stucco, so labor makes up a big part of the budget.
Next up is the cost of your materials and equipment. Paint covers only a portion of the budget, and you'll need a long list of materials for the job.
How the condition of your home’s exterior affects costs.
If your house’s exterior is in poor condition, you can expect the cost of stucco painting to increase. Take a look at the table below to see how much it costs to paint a stucco home that’s in fair and poor condition vs. good condition:
| Condition of home | Project description | National average cost |
| Good | Exterior primer/exterior grade paint, acrylic caulk, painter's putty, sandpaper, masking windows and doors, and power washing. | $4,101-$6,692 |
| Fair | Exterior primer/exterior grade paint, acrylic caulk, painter's putty, sandpaper, masking windows and doors, and soda blasting. | $8,667-$13,460 |
| Poor | Exterior primer/exterior grade paint, acrylic caulk, painter's putty, sandpaper, masking windows and doors, scraping, and heavy soda blasting. | $10,519-$16,328 |
*All figures above represent costs for 2,500-square-foot homes. Figures also include market price fluctuations.
A home that’s in fair or poor condition will require more labor, materials and equipment than a home that’s in good condition. For example, the painter will need to apply soda blasting and scraping — two tasks that are typically not needed if your home’s exterior is in good condition.
Other factors that affect stucco painting costs.
The cost of your stucco paint project depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Size and surface area. The costs we’ve included in this article apply to 2,500-square-foot homes. If your home is smaller, the surface area that needs to be painted will also likely be smaller. Therefore, you can assume that a 1,000-square-foot home or a 1,500-square-foot home in good condition would cost less to paint.
- Type of paint. Elastomeric, masonry and acrylic are some of the best exterior paints to use on your stucco. Talk to your painting contractor about these options and their different price points to find one that fits within your budget.
- Project difficulty. The more difficult it is to paint your stucco exterior, the more labor-intensive it will be — and the more it will likely cost. Your exterior’s condition, the weather, additional tools needed and other factors can make it hard to paint stucco. Ask your contractor how these factors may impact pricing.
There may be other factors that will drive your stucco painting costs up or down. When interviewing local painters for the job, ask for a price quote that includes a breakdown of every item and service you’ll be paying for.
3 tips for saving money when painting stucco.
You may be able to keep the cost of your stucco painting project under control by following a few important tips:
1. Be sure of your investment strategy.
Keep your ROI in mind when working out your budget. Ask yourself: Why am I painting my stucco house?
Do you want to spruce it up and make it more appealing to a potential buyer? In that case, don't overinvest. Use good labor and decent-quality materials, but maybe skip high-end options that a future buyer may not appreciate or really be looking for.
Or, do you plan on living in the house for the indefinite future? If so, consider investing in higher-quality, longer-lasting materials. And choose the color and finish that will make you happy.
2. Be willing to compromise.
Consider the following example: Acrylic paint is an affordable option, and it’s highly permeable. It's also pretty versatile when it comes to colors and finishes. However, it's not as waterproof and doesn’t bond as well as your other options. It also doesn’t last as long as elastomeric paint.
Elastomeric paint is highly durable and resistant to moisture — but it can be one of the most expensive options. It’s also not as permeable as acrylic paint.
Then there is the middle option: masonry paint, which costs less than elastomeric paint and is mildew and mold resistant. It was specifically designed for stucco and similar masonry substrates. On the downside, it has limited options for color.
Here's the compromise: If you choose masonry paint, you might not get the color you want, but you’ll have a high-quality product at a much lower rate than if you were paying for elastomeric paint.
As always, double-check with your contractor when it comes to the different paint types and their pricing. And chat with your painter about other ways you can compromise to keep costs low without sacrificing too much quality.
3. The more quotes you get, the better.
Painting is a competitive industry — which means painters and contractors are often willing to offer competitive pricing. So don’t choose the first stucco painter that pops up during your search.
Shop around, and get quotes from several painters. Make sure the cost estimates include everything: paint, labor, equipment and tools.
Is it hard to paint a stucco house?
Painting stucco is a lot more complicated than painting other surfaces like concrete or wood. Painting stucco yourself can go wrong if you don't know what you're doing. It's usually a good idea to hire a professional to do the job for you.
Professional painters know how to prepare the stucco (let it cure, dry, strip off old paint and make repairs) before painting it. And they know what paint to use and how long to wait before adding additional coats.
Get free cost estimates from stucco painters near you.
Get the ball rolling on painting your stucco house. Download the Thumbtack app, and take your pick of professional stucco painters near you. Schedule appointments for on-site consultations, and get free estimates before you hire someone.
FAQs
What are the pros and cons of painting stucco?
Homeowners may choose stucco because it’s long-lasting, hardy and aesthetically pleasing. But painting stucco (correctly) can help protect your home’s exterior. Here are a few pros and cons of painting stucco:
| Pros | Cons |
| Boost your curb appeal | It can be a tedious, time-consuming project (especially if you DIY) |
| Helps protect your stucco | It can be expensive, especially if your home is large and/or the exterior is in poor condition |
| Allows you to fix any cracks or peeling | It may require more maintenance and touch-ups, especially if you live in a region with extreme weather conditions |
| Choose from a variety of paint colors and finishes | Because it’s so porous, it often requires several coats |
How long does exterior paint last on stucco?
The stucco itself may last anywhere from 50+ years, but the paint itself has a shorter lifespan. Check the label before you choose your paint.
Some companies offer warranties. Check with the manufacturer and your contractor to see what warranties are available to you.
How often do you have to paint a stucco house?
It’s a good rule of thumb to paint your home’s exterior every 5 to 10 years, but this varies depending on several factors.
Paint quality, for instance, plays a big role in how often you'll need to repaint. Climate is also a factor. Homeowners living in humid areas with high precipitation will probably need to paint a stucco house more frequently than those living in arid regions.
Lastly, if you hire a professional who knows what they’re doing and uses the right techniques and materials (think prepping, priming, painting and coating), you may not need to repaint your stucco house as often.
*All project cost estimates included in this article were provided by Xactware’s pricing data (unless otherwise noted). For more information, visit Xactware’s pricing methodology page.
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