How much should I budget for a full stucco exterior on a two-storey home in Ottawa?

For a full stucco exterior on a two-storey home in Ottawa, you should budget between $25,000 and $45,000 for a complete job. That’s a wide range, so let me break down what pushes the number in either direction so you can estimate where your home falls.

Breaking Down the Full Budget

A typical two-storey Ottawa home has between 1,800 and 2,400 square feet of exterior wall surface once you subtract windows and doors. At $10 to $16 per square foot for a quality three-coat stucco system, the stucco application itself accounts for the bulk of the cost. But there are several other line items that add up:

Scaffolding: $2,500 to $4,500 depending on your home’s footprint and height. This is non-negotiable for a two-storey — proper scaffolding is a workplace safety requirement under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, and any contractor working without it is cutting dangerous corners.

Surface preparation: $2,000 to $6,000. This includes installing building paper or a weather-resistant barrier, metal lath, and control joints. If you’re going over existing siding, removal and disposal of the old material adds to this.

Window and door trim details: $1,500 to $4,000. Stucco needs proper J-trim and casing bead around every opening. Decorative surrounds or keystones cost more but add real curb appeal.

Soffits and fascia integration: $500 to $2,000 if your roofline details need to be addressed as part of the stucco project.

Ottawa’s building environment adds specific requirements. The Ontario Building Code mandates a continuous air barrier and proper vapour management for exterior cladding systems. In our climate zone — where temperatures swing from -30°C to +35°C — getting the moisture management wrong leads to trapped condensation, mould, and structural damage behind the stucco. This is not where you want to save money.

If you’re considering adding continuous exterior insulation under the stucco (which is increasingly common and recommended for Ottawa homes), add another $3 to $5 per square foot. It’s a significant upfront cost but can dramatically improve your home’s energy performance — many Ottawa homeowners report 15 to 25% reductions in heating costs after adding insulated stucco systems.

A City of Ottawa building permit may be required if the stucco project involves changes to the building envelope or structural modifications. Cosmetic re-coating over existing stucco typically does not require a permit, but adding a new stucco system over different cladding usually does. Permit fees start around $100 to $300 for residential exterior work. Check with Ottawa’s Building Code Services to confirm for your specific situation.

My advice: get at least three detailed quotes, make sure each one specifies the stucco system (traditional vs. acrylic), number of coats, insulation details, and warranty terms. A quality stucco job lasts 30 to 50 years in Ottawa when properly installed — it’s worth investing in good installation.

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• 613Bins
• JC Carpentry
• MAK Construction and Development Inc
• Dump n Dash Hauling
• Grunt Work 4 Grunts

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