What is the price range for stucco removal and replacement in Orleans?

Full stucco removal and replacement in Orleans typically costs between $15 and $25 per square foot, which translates to $20,000 to $50,000 for a complete home depending on size and complexity. This is significantly more than new stucco application because you’re paying for two jobs: tearing off the old system and installing a new one.

What Makes Orleans Stucco Replacement Unique

Orleans has seen several distinct waves of residential construction, and each era has its own stucco challenges. Homes built in the 1980s and early 1990s in areas like Convent Glen, Chapel Hill, and Fallingbrook often used traditional cement stucco applied directly to concrete block or over wood framing with metal lath. After 35+ years of Ottawa winters, many of these systems are past their effective life.

Homes from the late 1990s and 2000s in Avalon, Springridge, and newer Fallingbrook sections sometimes used EIFS systems, some of which were the older barrier-type installations now known to cause moisture problems. If your Orleans home has EIFS with soft spots, mould concerns, or bubbling, a full replacement with a modern drainable system is usually the right call.

Here’s how the costs typically break down for a removal and replacement project:

Removal and disposal: $4 to $8 per square foot. Traditional stucco is heavy — roughly 8 to 10 pounds per square foot — and needs to be carefully removed to avoid damaging the underlying sheathing and framing. Disposal costs in Ottawa run $150 to $300 per tonne at local facilities. A full home removal can generate 3 to 6 tonnes of waste.

Inspection and repair of underlying structure: $1,000 to $5,000+. Once the old stucco comes off, you get your first real look at the sheathing, building paper, and framing. It’s common to find some rotted sheathing, damaged house wrap, or deteriorated framing that needs repair before new stucco goes on. Budget a contingency for this — it’s almost always needed to some degree.

New stucco application: $10 to $17 per square foot depending on the system you choose (traditional, acrylic, or EIFS).

The Ontario Building Code requires that any replacement cladding system meet current code standards, which may be stricter than what was required when your home was originally built. This can mean upgraded moisture barriers, insulation requirements, and air sealing. A building permit from the City of Ottawa will be needed for a full stucco replacement, and inspections may be required at various stages.

For Orleans homeowners, one practical consideration: many streets in Orleans have very similar home designs since they were built by the same developers. If your neighbours are also experiencing stucco deterioration, there may be an opportunity to coordinate with nearby homeowners and negotiate a volume discount with a contractor. Some stucco companies offer 10 to 15% reductions when they can do multiple homes on the same street, since they save on mobilization and scaffolding setup costs.

Get a thorough assessment before committing to full replacement. Sometimes what looks like widespread failure is actually repairable at a fraction of the cost. A good stucco professional will give you an honest evaluation of whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your specific situation.

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

• Homeupgraders
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Jaiko Cleaning Services
• DC Stucco & Parging
• Renovo Construction

View all contractors →