Stucco is the outermost coat applied to home or commercial buildings, and is basically a mixture of Portland cement, lime, sand, and water and enhances the aesthetics and durability of your building.
However, with time and changing weather conditions, the stucco layer deteriorates and needs repair. Repairing stucco is challenging and can only be performed by a professional.
That said, hiring a professional and repairing stucco have certain costs that can vary significantly. It depends on many factors, such as the condition of the stucco, the area to be covered, and the service provider’s charges.
Analyzing all these factors and calculating the exact cost to repair your building stucco layer might confuse you. Therefore, to make it easier for you, here are the detailed factors you must consider when calculating the Stucco repair cost.
1. Type Of Stucco Damage
Stucco can be damaged to different extents depending upon the location and weather conditions. Therefore, thoroughly analyze the condition of your building stucco layer. Knowing the level of stucco damage will help you decide on the level of repair needed and, hence, the cost to repair stucco eventually.
Usually, the stucco damage can be divided into three levels:
- Minor Stucco Cracks: You are lucky if your building stucco coat has minor cracks. Such minor cracks are easy and inexpensive to repair. In fact, you can also repair them yourself, hence significantly reducing repair costs.
- Large Stucco cracks: They develop over a period of time and need quick repair as they can convert into severe ones. You can repair large stucco cracks by patching them with the help of professionals, which might cost you a bit more than the repair of minor stucco cracks
- Severe Stucco Cracks: Severe cracks are caused by extensive damage due to weather conditions over a long period. Additionally, structural issues can lead to severe cracks. Due to such severity, you need many repair materials and professionals to repair them. This can cost you much more compared to repairing large or minor cracks.
2. Type Of Stucco Coat System
There are three types of Stucco coat systems, and understanding them can significantly help you calculate the repair cost.
1-Coat System: In this system, stucco is formed by mixing Portland cement, sand, fibers, chemicals, and water. It requires only a single application and provides a durable impact.
2-Coat System: A conventional stucco mixture, which is meant for block, concrete, and brick walls, is used. During the process, the wall is first coated with a bonding glue rather than a metal lathe, and then two coats of stucco are applied.
3- Coat System: This system uses a blend of water, acrylic additives, fiberglass, sand, and cement and consists of three layers: a foundation layer of stucco, a layer of furred chicken wire, and paper infused with asphalt.
Using a 1 coat system to repair is usually more affordable compared to the other two systems. Furthermore, the 3-coat system is the most expensive.
3. Your Location
Stucco repair costs differ by region based on factors such as the market, cost of living, and access to materials and skilled workers.
In urban areas, the prices of most products, including repairs, are relatively high due to the rising cost of living and high demand for skilled labor. On the other hand, rural zones may have relatively cheaper offers owing to low operating expenses and, more significantly, scarcity of competitors for the resources.
Further, accessibility of the materials also influences the costs; for example, parts located in a distant place are costly to transport.
Considering these differences is crucial when estimating how much you could spend on stucco repairs in a specific region.
4. Material Cost
The cost of materials for stucco repair is based on the type of stucco and, more so, in terms of color.
Standard stucco material can easily cost a moderate sum of money, though prices may drastically increase if a repair needs a matching color or a particular surface. Special colors generally mean that the pigment or dye is different from the regular ones and may be even more costly. The same thing applies to special finishes that may even demand extra effort and extra material, which can all result in high costs.
Moreover, it may be difficult to obtain a perfect match with the current stucco on the building, especially if your home has aged external surfaces, which means that it may be slightly expensive to carry out this repair.
5. Professional Charges
Another factor you must consider when calculating the stucco repair cost is the professional stucco repair charges. Professional charges can vary depending on the severity of damage and location.
To get the best idea about such charges, contact multiple service providers for a quote. Once you have different quotations, analyze them depending on the feasibility of your requirement. Doing so will help you calculate the tentative cost of hiring a professional stucco service provider.
Conclusion
Calculating the stucco repair cost can be puzzling for you. Nevertheless, if you consider all the factors, such as the level of stucco damage, stucco coat system, your location, material cost, and professional charges, you can easily calculate the stucco repair cost.
