How much should I expect to pay for stucco painting on a large home in Ottawa?

Painting stucco on a large Ottawa home — say 2,500 to 3,500 square feet of exterior wall area — typically runs between $4,500 and $9,000 depending on the condition of the existing finish, the number of storeys, and the product used. That breaks down to roughly $1.80 to $2.75 per square foot, which is a bit lower than what you'd see quoted in the GTA where labour rates push things higher.

What drives the cost up or down?

A few factors matter a lot here:

• Surface prep: If your stucco has hairline cracks, efflorescence (that white powdery residue), or old paint that's peeling, the crew needs to power-wash, scrape, and patch before any paint goes on. Prep on a neglected surface can add $1,000–$2,500 to the job.- Height and access: A two-storey home in Barrhaven with straightforward access is easier than a three-storey in the Glebe with tight lot lines. Scaffolding or boom-lift rental adds $800–$1,500.- Paint quality: Elastomeric coatings — which are ideal for Ottawa stucco because they bridge hairline cracks and handle our freeze-thaw cycles — cost more than standard exterior latex. Expect to pay a 20–30% premium for elastomeric, but it lasts 10–15 years versus 5–7 for regular paint.- Colour change: Going from a light shade to a dramatically different colour usually requires an extra coat, adding $1,000–$1,800 on a large home.

For Ottawa specifically, timing matters. Most stucco painting happens between May and October because you need consistent temperatures above 10°C for proper adhesion and curing. Booking in early spring or late fall sometimes gets you a 10–15% discount since crews are looking to fill their schedules.

A reasonable budget breakdown for a large home might look like this:

• Power washing and prep: $800–$1,500- Crack repair and patching: $500–$1,200- Two coats of elastomeric paint (labour + materials): $3,200–$6,000- Scaffolding if needed: $800–$1,500

Get at least three written quotes that specify the product brand, number of coats, and what's included in surface prep. A lowball quote that skips proper prep will leave you repainting in three years — not a good trade-off in Ottawa's climate where winter frost and summer humidity punish shortcuts.

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

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• JC Carpentry
• The Deck Store Inc
• Valcor Construction
• BFI Renovations

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