Re-stucco (full re-coat) across San Diego County
When cracks are widespread, the finish coat has failed across multiple walls, or the lath beneath has corroded, a full re-stucco is the right call rather than another round of patches. We connect San Diego homeowners with insured local crews that apply the complete three-coat system: scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat, starting from sound substrate and finishing with the texture and color the homeowner chooses.
What's included in this service?
- Inspect the full exterior to document the extent of failure, identify lath corrosion, moisture intrusion, and areas where the stucco has delaminated from the substrate
- Remove failing stucco and corroded lath down to the sheathing or framing, then install new galvanized metal lath and building paper before any new material goes on
- Apply the scratch coat with proper embedment into the lath, rake to a bonding profile, and allow full curing before the brown coat
- Float the brown coat to a true plane, address any low spots or humps, and allow the required cure window before the finish coat
- Apply the specified finish coat texture and integral color coat to match the homeowner's selection, or match the existing texture where a close blend is the goal
- Final walk with the homeowner to confirm coverage, color consistency, and cleanup of work areas
When do you need this service?
- Cracks appear across multiple wall faces and new ones keep forming every rainy season
- Large sections of stucco sound hollow when tapped, indicating delamination from the lath beneath
- The finish coat is chalking, peeling, or showing widespread efflorescence that washing does not resolve
- A stucco inspection reveals corroded metal lath under the existing coats, which no patch can address
- The home is being sold and a buyer inspection flagged widespread stucco failure as a condition issue
What do homeowners ask about Re-stucco?
How do I know if I need a full re-stucco or just repairs?
If cracking is limited to a few isolated spots and the surrounding stucco sounds solid when tapped, targeted repairs are usually the right call. If cracks are widespread across multiple walls, large sections sound hollow, or moisture has gotten behind the stucco and the lath is corroding, a full re-stucco is the more cost-effective long-term answer. The in-home assessment the crews we connect you with provide will tell you which category your home falls into.
How much does a full re-stucco cost in San Diego?
A full re-stucco on a typical 1,500-square-foot single-story San Diego home runs $8,000-$14,000. A two-story home or one with significant lath replacement, extensive prep, or a premium finish coat runs $14,000-$20,000 or more. The biggest cost drivers are substrate condition, how much lath needs replacing, and the finish coat specification.
What is the three-coat stucco system?
Traditional Portland cement stucco is applied in three layers. The scratch coat is the first layer, pressed firmly into the metal lath and raked with a scarifier to create a bonding surface. The brown coat goes over the cured scratch coat and is floated to a level plane. The finish coat is the top layer, applied last and textured to the specified profile. Each coat must cure before the next one goes on, which is why a re-stucco takes days to weeks, not hours.
Does a full re-stucco require a permit in San Diego?
In most cases, yes. A full re-stucco that involves removing and replacing lath is a structural alteration that requires a permit from the City of San Diego or the relevant jurisdiction. The permit process includes an inspection of the new lath before the scratch coat is applied. The crews we connect you with handle the permit and coordinate the inspection schedule.
How long does new stucco take to cure?
A properly applied three-coat stucco system takes 28 days to reach full Portland cement cure, though the exterior surface is weatherable well before that. The scratch coat needs 48-72 hours before the brown coat. The brown coat needs 7-14 days before the finish coat. Painting over new stucco before it has fully cured causes adhesion problems. The crews we connect you with build the cure schedule into the project timeline.
Where do we offer Re-stucco in San Diego County?
We provide re-stucco in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
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Need re-stucco in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.