Stucco & Stone

Exterior finishes that last

Stucco is a durable, versatile, and attractive exterior finish for both residential and commercial buildings. In the Pacific Northwest, heavy rain, wind, and high moisture levels make correct installation critical. We select proven products and build assemblies that protect your walls while delivering a clean, consistent look.

Stucco systems we install

• Traditional (cement) stucco — a classic mix of cement, sand, and water applied over metal lath. Known for durability, fire resistance, and sound dampening.
• Three-coat stucco — an enhanced traditional system with multiple base layers for maximum resilience and weather resistance.

Built for a wet climate

A high-quality stucco system for the Pacific Northwest includes proper moisture management details. Depending on the project, we incorporate elements such as waterproofing and rainscreen membranes, metal lath, scratch and brown coats for a solid base, and flexible acrylic basecoats or elastomeric finishes for long-term performance.

Veneer stone installation

We install veneer stone that complements your architecture and blends smoothly with adjacent finishes. Our team pays close attention to layout, alignment, and transitions — so the final result looks intentional and holds up through seasonal weather changes.

Repair & integration

If you're repairing existing stucco or tying into a remodel or addition, we focus on seamless integration between old and new work: proper prep, correct flashing details, and finish matching whenever possible.

How much does stucco cost in the Tacoma–Seattle area?

For most homes in the Puget Sound region, a complete three-coat cement stucco system runs roughly $9–$16 per square foot installed, including lath, moisture barriers, and finish. Labor and the rainscreen and drainage details required for our wet climate put Western Washington above the national average, and the final number depends on wall height and access, the amount of trim, corners, and transitions, whether existing cladding needs to be removed, and the finish you choose. As a rough guide, re-cladding a typical 2,000-square-foot two-story home usually lands somewhere between $25,000 and $60,000.

Smaller stucco repairs — cracks, impact damage, patches around new windows or doors — typically start at $500–$2,500 depending on size and how closely the existing texture and color need to be matched. Every building is different, so we confirm pricing with a free on-site estimate rather than guessing from photos.

How much does veneer stone cost?

Manufactured (cultured) stone veneer generally runs $18–$35 per square foot installed in our area, while natural thin-cut stone typically falls in the $25–$45 range. Accent applications — entry surrounds, chimneys, wainscots, columns — are a popular way to get the look of stone at a fraction of full-coverage cost. We'll help you compare products, coverage areas, and budgets during the estimate.

What's the difference between stucco and veneer stone?

Both are masonry finishes installed over a moisture-managed wall assembly, but they solve different problems. Stucco is a continuous, seamless coating — great for full facades, clean modern or Mediterranean looks, and complex shapes. It is fire-resistant, adds sound dampening, and can be finished in almost any color or texture. Veneer stone is an applied layer of individual stones — ideal for accents and high-visibility areas where you want natural texture and depth. Many of our projects combine the two: stucco field walls with stone at the entry, base, or chimney. If you're weighing one against the other, the honest answer is usually about the look you want and the budget per square foot — we'll show you examples of both from our completed projects.

How long does stucco installation take?

A typical repair takes 1–3 days. A full exterior on an average home usually takes 2–4 weeks, because a three-coat system needs proper cure time between the scratch, brown, and finish coats. In Western Washington we also plan around weather windows — stucco should not be applied in heavy rain or near-freezing temperatures — so schedules in late fall and winter may stretch. We give you a realistic timeline up front and keep you updated as the work progresses.

How do I know if my stucco needs repair?

• Cracks wider than a hairline — especially diagonal cracks at window and door corners.
• Staining or streaking below windows, at rooflines, or around penetrations — often a flashing issue, not just cosmetic.
• Hollow-sounding or bulging areas — a sign the stucco has separated from the substrate.
• Soft drywall, musty smells, or peeling paint inside — moisture may be getting past the cladding.

Caught early, most of these are affordable repairs. Left alone, trapped moisture can damage sheathing and framing — which is when a repair becomes a restoration project. If you're unsure, we'll take a look and give you a straight answer about what actually needs fixing.