What is the average estimate for stucco colour change on a whole house in Ottawa?

Changing the colour of your stucco is one of the most impactful curb appeal upgrades you can make, and in Ottawa it typically costs between $8,000 and $18,000 for a whole-house application on an average-sized home (1,800–2,400 sq ft of stucco surface area). The exact price depends heavily on which method you choose and the current condition of your stucco.

Two main approaches and their costs

Option 1: Elastomeric paint coating ($4–$7 per sq ft)

This is the most common and affordable approach. A high-quality elastomeric paint is applied over your existing stucco after thorough cleaning and any crack repairs. For a typical Ottawa home, budget:

• Power washing and prep: $500–$1,200- Crack and patch repair: $300–$2,000 (varies widely)- Two coats of elastomeric paint: $6,000–$12,000- Total: $7,000–$15,000

Elastomeric coatings are excellent for Ottawa because they bridge hairline cracks and expand/contract with our dramatic temperature swings from -30°C winters to +35°C summers. Good brands like Dulux WeatherShield or Sto Elastocoat carry 15–20 year warranties.

Option 2: Stucco re-coat or fog coat ($8–$14 per sq ft)

If you want to maintain the authentic stucco texture, a thin re-coat with integrally coloured stucco or a cementitious fog coat is the premium route. This adds a new 3–5mm finish layer over the existing surface:

• Surface prep, cleaning, bonding agent: $1,500–$3,000- New finish coat with integral colour: $12,000–$25,000- Total: $13,500–$28,000

This method is more expensive but gives you a genuinely new stucco surface rather than a painted one.

A few important Ottawa-specific considerations: if your existing stucco has any delamination (hollow-sounding sections when you tap them), those areas need to be cut out and re-applied before any colour change — this can add $40–$80 per square foot for localized repairs. Many Ottawa homes built in the 1970s–1990s have stucco over rigid insulation without proper drainage, and a colour change project is a good time to assess whether moisture is trapped behind the finish.

Scaffolding is usually included in the quote but can add $1,500–$4,000 for two-storey homes. Always confirm whether it's included. The best time to schedule this work is late May through September when Ottawa's weather allows proper curing and drying between coats.

Most reputable Ottawa stucco contractors will provide a colour sample on a small section of your actual wall before committing — stucco colours look different on textured surfaces than on flat paint chips, so always insist on a test patch.

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

• 613Bins
• RenoMotion Inc.
• M.O.T. CONSTRUCTION INC.
• Dreamwood Construction & Renovations
• ALTIOR CONSTRUCTION

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