Stucco Crack Repair Cost

Stucco Crack Repair Cost

Stucco is a durable siding material and it is a de facto choice for most homeowners. While the material is strong and reliable, there will be instances when the stucco will suffer some damage. The damage can be minor and subtle or it could be severe. Hairline stucco cracks are extremely common in most homes.

You don’t need to be anxious about hairline stucco crack, but you should not ignore them either. Minor problems can quickly make way for a crisis, especially when the weather is not your best friend. Older homes will obviously be more vulnerable when stucco cracks. You could have a damaged wood lath over time and your home can suffer from water damage.

Do not wait for moisture buildup in the walls and do not expose the underlying structures to rain, snow or strong winds. If you spot a crack in your stucco siding, repair it as soon as you can. You will save money and avert major heartaches. Life would be a lot easier and less expensive if stucco crack repair is done sooner than later.

In this article you will learn:

Pros and Cons of DIY Stucco Crack Repair

There are some problems that most homeowners can take care of without hiring an expert. Hairline stucco crack is one such problem. It is not imperative to hire a hairline stucco crack repair professional if you can make do with a stucco crack repair kit over the weekend. However, if you have substantial chips or deep cracks, if your stucco has warped or if there is an underlying problem that has caused the damage, then it is better to hire a professional. Only those homeowners with enough masonry expertise should attempt to repair severe stucco cracks.

The most noteworthy advantage of DIY stucco crack repair is the cost. Most stucco repair contractors charge between $40 and $50 per hour, or in some cases $60 to $120 per square foot. In light of this you can potentially save hundreds of dollars that you would otherwise have to spend on stucco contractor. You may not save much on materials.

The most notable disadvantage of DIY stucco crack repair is the futility of the whole project coupled with potential risks. You may fail to effectively repair the crack. This will compel you to hire a professional but only after you have already paid for the repair kit and spent a considerable amount of time trying to fix the crack yourself. The potential risks are the primary reason why it is a bad idea to try and repair a stucco crack unless you have the expertise needed.

You may damage existing and otherwise healthy stucco in the process. You could aggravate the problem and cause damage to the underlying structures.

DIY Stucco Crack Repair Cost

The cost of stucco crack repair products will depend on its size and the strength of the concrete. Hairline cracks will need the smallest kits. They can cost as low as $5 bucks or as much as $30 bucks. If you want stronger concrete, you will have to pay more. Cracks that are deeper or if you have holes in your stucco, then you would need to look for larger kits and they may cost close to fifty bucks. The brand you choose and if there are any additives in the mix among other factors will influence the actual cost.

Hairline cracks can be fixed with kits that don’t really need you to mix cement. They are the easiest to work with but they are futile for larger cracks or holes. Many kits available today are premixed. You don’t need any prepping and can get straight to the task at hand. You would still need to prep the surface or the area that will be receiving the patch. Don’t have loose materials, dust or dirt and stucco that may have come off or is not firmly adhered before you apply the patch.

Always use kits exactly as the manufacturer suggests in the instructions. Pay attention to the dry time. Many kits have a suggested timeframe by when you should be using the stucco. Simple mistakes before, during or after which is the dry time can cost you the entire kit. Not only would you have to buy another kit but you will need to prep the area again.

Professional Stucco Crack Repair Cost

Severe damages to your stucco will demand a licensed stucco repair contractor. Attempting to repair it yourself is not wise or practical. The cost of hiring a professional for stucco crack repair can cost you anywhere from $40 to $50 an hour. Not all stucco companies work on an hourly basis. Many will charge you or offer a quote that is based on the surface area. You can expect quotes ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot. These are nationwide averages. The actual cost depends on where you live and may be more or less than these averages. For instance labor cost in Orlando, FL is 2{98d438fcf3b1f238b53a3bf4da71170f0889317bf5882856b36d7453d8bc4572} higher than the national average, and labor cost in Jacksonville, FL is 1{98d438fcf3b1f238b53a3bf4da71170f0889317bf5882856b36d7453d8bc4572} lower than the national average. It is not uncommon to find professionals that charge less than $40 per hour or more than $120 per square foot.

The actual stucco crack repair cost will depend on many factors. If the cracks are in areas that are not easy to reach, then it would be factored into the cost. Many homes have unconventional windows, doors and other architectural components that complicate the repair job. The severity and extent of the damage is the most important factor in terms of cost. Large cracks or deep holes will be costlier to repair. Relatively smaller cracks or holes with underlying water damage will also cost more.

Any quote you receive will be influenced by the cost of material needed to complete the repair, the operational costs of the professional including transportation and the cost of additional tasks that are unavoidable such as prepping the work site and protecting existing structure, specific finishes after stucco repair and eventual cleanup.

When you get a quote, all costs will be included. You may be given a breakup of materials and labor. Quotes may not have breakups of setup time, mobilization or debris removal. The generic quotes are not relevant in every scenario. The specifics of any stucco project will determine the particulars of the estimate.

For instance, some stucco damages may require removal, relocation, repairing or even modifying the existing framing and surfacing, electrical and plumbing installations, possibly uninstalling air conditioning systems or HVAC units and remediation of hazardous materials, such as lead or asbestos. A professional must also ensure that your repair and other components are in compliance with the latest building codes.

Cost of Stucco Crack Repair Materials

A bag of 80lb to 90lb of stucco costs around $10 to $15. Such a bag can be good enough for an area of 100 sq. ft. to 180 square feet. Effectively, it costs 5 to 10 cents per square foot. Synthetic stucco will cost around $40 to $50 for a bucket of 5 gallons. Such a bucket is good enough for 100 sq. ft. to 250 square feet. Effectively, it costs 25 five to 50 cents per square foot.

You may need finishing materials. Depending on the quality and thickness of the mix along with the possibility of requiring new vapor barrier and metal lath, the finishing materials can cost $20 to $50 bucks. If you need to paint your home, which is often necessary after major stucco repairs, then you might have to factor in a cost of $700 to $1200 for a typical 1500 square foot home.

Contractors will determine the actual overall stucco crack repair cost after factoring in all the aforementioned details. Multistory homes will be costlier to repair. Homes with too many architectural fixtures will take longer for contractors to repair as the design features slow down the progress. You may have to factor in an additional day of labor cost, which could be around $400. You may have to pay permit or inspection fees to your local building department for the stucco repair project.

DIY Stucco Crack Repair Video