Stucco is installed in layers, a time-consuming, labor-intensive process done by skilled pros—not a job for even the most ambitious DIYer—and that’s why it can be pricey. In the southwest, where stucco contractors are knowledgeable and plentiful, you can have it applied for $4 to $7 per square foot, but in other climes, expect to pay between $6 and $10 per square foot.

The application process depends on the house’s structure—wood-framed walls require more coats of traditional stucco than block or concrete. By applying stucco in layers and allowing each layer to set, the contractor gradually builds up the thickness of the siding.

• Traditional stucco is applied in a three-coat process to wood-frame exterior walls. It starts with a “scratch coat” spread over metal lath attached to a house’s exterior sheathing. The rough surface allows the next layer, the “brown coat,” to adhere. The brown coat adds strength and acts as a base for the “finish coat,” which can be hand-troweled to create a custom surface texture.
• Two-coat stucco is used on concrete, brick, and block walls. The existing masonry makes a scratch coat unnecessary. Instead of metal lath, a bonding adhesive is applied to the masonry wall before two coats of stucco are applied.
• One-coat stucco is a relatively new process using stucco mixed with fiberglass, applied over metal lath. Not all stucco contractors offer the one-coat process, so you may have to call around to locate one in your area.