Stucco is the heaviest exterior finish we remove. Traditional three-coat stucco is roughly three
quarters of an inch of cement over metal lath, and it runs about 10 pounds per square foot — a
1,600-square-foot wall area is around eight tons of debris. That single fact explains most of the price
difference between stucco removal and a vinyl tear-off.
Cost by assembly
- Three-coat stucco over wood-framed wall with metal lath:
$2.50–$5.50 per square foot including lath removal and disposal. - Stucco over masonry or brick: $3.00–$6.50 per sf — the bond is often stronger than
the substrate, and the brick underneath usually needs assessment afterwards. - Synthetic stucco (EIFS) over foam board: $1.50–$3.50 per sf — lighter and faster,
but bulkier in the truck. - Chimneys, parapets and detail work: quoted separately; access drives it more than
area.
Typical whole-house scopes land between $4,000 and $12,000 depending on wall area, height and
assembly.
Why it is priced differently from siding
Three reasons: weight at the transfer station, silica dust from cutting and breaking cement, and the
condition of whatever is underneath. Our siding removal
cost guide covers panel systems, which come off in courses. Stucco is broken out in sections, and
the lath has to be cut and rolled behind it.
Dust and protection are not optional
Cutting cementitious material releases crystalline silica. Proper removal uses water or dust
extraction, respiratory protection for the crew, and containment at ground level so it does not travel
to neighbours' property or into open windows. On attached buildings that also means sidewalk and party-
line protection.
What is underneath decides the next scope
On framed walls: lath, housewrap or felt, then sheathing that may be sound or may be soft where
water tracked behind a failed detail. On masonry: brick that has been hidden for fifty years and may
need repointing. Either way, the answer changes the project, which is why we photograph the wall as it
is exposed. Larger scopes are covered under
residential demolition,
commercial demolition and
demolition services; debris under
construction debris removal and our
renovation debris guide. Interior work
in the same project: hardwood floor removal
cost and interior demolition cost.
Call (718) 587-0156 with the wall area, the number of storeys and whether the
stucco sits on framing or masonry — see pricing for how we scope work. We cover
Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and Nassau County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove stucco from a house?
Most jobs land between $2.50 and $6.50 per square foot of wall area, depending on whether the stucco is three-coat over lath, applied to masonry, or a synthetic EIFS system. Whole-house scopes commonly run $4,000 to $12,000 including disposal.
Why is stucco removal more expensive than removing siding?
Weight and dust. Three-coat stucco is around 10 pounds per square foot and disposal is billed by the ton, and breaking cementitious material requires silica dust control that panel siding does not.
Can stucco be removed from brick without damaging it?
Partly. Stucco applied directly to brick often bonds tightly, and some face damage and residue is normal. Expect to budget for cleaning and repointing, and have a mason look at a test area before committing to exposed brick as the final look.
Is a permit required to remove stucco?
Removing an exterior finish is generally not a structural permit item by itself, but scaffolding, sidewalk sheds, work on landmarked buildings and any structural repairs found underneath all have their own requirements. We identify which apply before starting.
What happens to the debris?
It goes to a construction and demolition transfer station and is billed by weight. It cannot go out with household collection, and on a stucco job the tonnage is the single largest disposal line.