Are you ready to just change the look of your home’s exterior? Is your stucco siding cracking or chipping off? Has it been falling apart for years?
No matter the reason for considering replacing your stucco, there are a few things you need to understand when installing new siding with stucco, like the cost, installation, and more.
Before inquiring about replacing your stucco with any siding replacement contractor, you need to know three crucial things.
Southwest Exteriors has offered full San Antonio siding replacements with James Hardie siding since 1989. We’ve transformed thousands of homes with all different types of siding.
We want you to have the right information on all things siding replacements so you can find the best remodeling company to provide you with a successful project.
So, if you want to remove, replace, or repair your stucco siding, here are a few things you need to know.
3 Things To Know Before Removing Your Stucco
Stucco can be difficult to work with, especially if you’re considering removing it and replacing it with new siding.
So, before taking any steps towards finding a company to work with on your siding, it’s important you know these three crucial things to find a trustworthy contractor to work with on your project.
1. Removing Stucco Is Expensive
Stucco is a unique material. Unlike any other siding type, like vinyl or wood, it cannot be removed in panels or blocks.
Properly removing stucco without damaging your walls takes time and energy, which is costly.
Because of the excess time and labor required to remove stucco, it can cost up to $1,500 per 100 square feet of stucco just for removal. This cost is added on top of your entire siding project.
The stucco must then be properly discarded and dumped, which can also increase the cost of your project for dumping fees.
When considering contractors for your stucco project, asking about any dumping fees is important. Does the company cover the fees, or will it be billed to you? Will they leave the stucco there for you to deal with or dump it for you?
Understanding how much it costs to remove stucco siding helps you to have realistic expectations for the cost of your project, which allows you to create the right budget for you and find the right company to meet your needs.
2. Removing Stucco Takes More Time, Energy, And Labor
As we discussed before, with the cost of removing stucco, the process requires a lot of time and labor.
Since stucco is a cementious material, it must be meticulously chipped at and removed carefully to ensure minimal to no damage to your home's frame.
First, the stucco must be removed. Then, the mesh wire that holds the stucco to your home must also be removed.
It takes a large amount of time to remove the stucco and wiring because it is a tedious process, and removing the wiring requires thousands of nails to be individually removed from the studs of your home’s frame.
If you’re considering replacing your stucco with a new type of siding, like fiber cement, consider the amount of time it will add to your project. The removal of stucco could add weeks to your project timeline, depending on the size of your project.
Knowing the time and labor required to remove stucco siding helps you to have an idea of how long your project will take, so you won’t be surprised when a contractor tells you so.
3. Repairing Your Stucco May Be The Better Option Than Removing And Replacing It
If your stucco is cracked or damaged in any way, you’ve probably considered repairing it instead of completely removing and replacing it.
Repairing your siding may be the best option for you if...
- You plan to sell your home soon
- You are looking for a simpler, more affordable solution to damaged stucco
- You don’t want to wait months before new siding can be installed
Removing and replacing your stucco may be more worth it for you if…
- You want a whole new look for your home
- You plan to live in your home for a long time
- You don’t mind longer lead times for siding materials or the extended project time for stucco removal
Because removing and replacing stucco siding is a large and costly project, you want to know which option is best for you.
Outlining your wants, goals, and needs for your siding project is the first crucial step to creating the right budget and finding the best contractor to work with.
Stucco Siding Replacements And What Is Right For You
Now that you know the three key aspects of stucco removal, you have a better understanding of what goes into removing and replacing stucco siding and can have realistic expectations for your project.
Removing stucco requires precision, expert care, and effort from a professional contractor. If it is not properly removed, you risk having your walls, windows, and home damaged.
Before deciding to remove your stucco siding and looking into finding a company to work with for your project, remember these three things:
- Stucco removal is expensive
- It takes a lot of time, energy, and careful labor
- Repairing your stucco may be the better option for you
Once you’ve learned about how to properly remove, repair, and replace stucco, you can find the right solution for your home and find the right company for your project.
Southwest Exteriors offers high-quality, full siding replacements with James Hardie siding. Our expert crews are trained to properly and carefully remove stucco siding for full siding replacements.
We are not stucco experts, and we’ll admit that. However, we work to provide you with all the information and resources you need to find the right solution and company to work with for your stucco siding project.
So, how do you find the right siding company to work with?
Check out this article that outlines three steps to find the right home remodeling contractor for you.
