Stucco

Utah Stucco costs. This durable, fire-resistant exterior system offers a smooth or textured finish popular in many Utah neighborhoods.

What’s Included

Includes labor and materials for a 3-coat stucco system: scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat. Includes lath, weep screed, control joints, and mesh. Finish coat options include sand, dash, or smooth acrylic textures. Typically installed over house wrap and sheathing. Color is integrated into the finish coat. Does not include foam pop-outs or trim unless noted.

Notes:

includes full stucco system with lath, base coat, color coat, and texture finish

Builder Tips:

Stucco requires dry weather for curing — don’t schedule it in the heart of Utah’s wet spring season. Smooth finishes show cracking more easily than sand or dash textures. Confirm if your installer includes expansion/control joints per code. Ask whether your bid includes acrylic color coat (longer lasting) or cement-based finish (cheaper).

Real World Example:

A 4,200 sq ft home with 3,000 sq ft of exterior wall area:

Standard sand finish stucco: $9.00–$11.00/sq ft
Smooth acrylic: $12.00–$15.00/sq ft
Total: 3,000 × $10.00 = $30,000 for sand finish with color coat

FAQ

Q: Does stucco include paint?

A: No — stucco is tinted through the finish coat, so no painting is required.

Q: What’s the difference between acrylic and cement-based finish?

A: Acrylic lasts longer, resists fading, and is more flexible. Cement-based is more affordable.

Q: Does it crack?

A: All stucco can develop hairline cracks. Expansion joints and good install prevent larger issues.

Q: Can I mix stucco with stone or siding?

A: Yes — many Utah homes use stucco on sides/rear and stone or siding on the front elevation.