How much does it cost to stucco the entire exterior of a split-level home in Nepean?

Split-level homes are extremely common in Nepean — whole neighbourhoods in Craig Henry, Centrepointe, and Bel Air Park were built in this style during the 1960s through 1980s. Many of these homes originally had brick, aluminum siding, or a combination, and stucco is a popular modernization choice that can completely transform their curb appeal.

Full Stucco Cost for a Nepean Split-Level

A typical Nepean split-level has roughly 1,200 to 1,800 square feet of exterior wall area (after subtracting windows and doors). At Ottawa-area pricing of $18 to $28 per square foot for a traditional three-coat stucco system, the total installed cost falls between $22,000 and $48,000, with most projects landing in the $28,000 to $40,000 range.

Here's a detailed breakdown of where that money goes:

• Existing cladding removal: $1,500 to $4,000. Aluminum or vinyl siding comes off easily. Brick requires more work — sometimes it's left in place with furring strips and new sheathing installed over it, which adds cost but avoids the mess and expense of demolition.- Sheathing repair/upgrade: $1,000 to $5,000. Many 1970s Nepean homes have older sheathing that needs reinforcement or replacement in spots. This is the time to address it.- Weather-resistant barrier and metal lath: $4,500 to $9,000. Two layers of Grade D building paper (or modern drainable housewrap) plus galvanized self-furring metal lath, all properly lapped and fastened.- Stucco application (three coats): $14,000 to $28,000. Scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat with your chosen texture — smooth, sand float, dash, or skip trowel are all common in the area.- Window/door trim and detailing: $2,500 to $6,000. Split-levels typically have 10 to 15 windows plus two or three doors. Proper head flashing, sill detailing, and reveals around each opening are critical for both appearance and waterproofing.- Scaffolding: $1,500 to $3,000. Split-levels have that characteristic multi-level roofline that requires scaffolding setups at different heights.

The split-level design actually creates some specific stucco challenges worth knowing about:

• Multiple roof-to-wall intersections: Where the lower roof meets the upper wall is a high-risk area for water intrusion. Proper step flashing and kickout flashing at these transitions are essential — especially in Ottawa where ice dams form at these junctions during winter.- Different wall heights: The staggered levels mean your contractor is working at three or four different heights, which is less efficient than a straightforward two-storey box. This adds 10 to 15% to labour costs compared to a simpler home shape.- Foundation exposure: Split-levels often have more exposed foundation on the lower-level side. Stucco can be applied directly to concrete block, but it requires a different bonding approach than stucco over wood framing. Some homeowners choose to parget the foundation section rather than applying a full three-coat system, saving $3 to $5 per square foot on those areas.

For permits through the City of Ottawa, budget $400 to $700. The project will require a building permit since you're changing the cladding system. Ensure your contractor provides a WSIB clearance certificate — required in Ontario for any construction project.

Timing tip: book your Nepean stucco project by February or March for a spring/summer start. The best stucco contractors in the Ottawa area fill their schedules early, and you need warm weather (consistently above 5°C) for proper curing.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Homeupgraders
• JC Carpentry
• Renovo Construction
• Best Hand2Hand moving company
• Elie The Carpet Guy Inc.

View all contractors →