Washington Elite Stucco: Stucco Contractor in Washington, Utah - Installation & Repair

Washington Elite Stucco is a licensed and insured stucco contractor with 15 years of experience serving homes and commercial properties throughout Washington, UT. We install stucco on new construction, replace and re-stucco existing exteriors, and blend new finishes for remodels and additions. Our services also include stucco repair and moisture remediation, resurfacing and recoating, stucco painting, block walls, decorative details, and interior plaster.

When doing stucco installation and replacement, we give the wall assembly the same care as the visible finish. Our crews hang the metal lath that supports the plaster, then install the edge, corner, and other accessories in accordance with ASTM C1063, the industry standard for installing lath and related components beneath cement plaster.

When a project calls for an engineered one-coat system, we install it according to the manufacturer’s ICC-ES Evaluation Report. The International Code Council Evaluation Service, or ICC-ES, evaluates building products and systems. Its reports identify the approved materials, substrates, components, and installation requirements for each specific system. We also build traditional three-coat stucco, the hard-coat cement system.

For stucco repair and remediation, we take moisture meter readings when damage may involve water. For recoating and refinishing, integral-color acrylic finishes provide consistent color throughout the finish coat, while UV-stable pigments help resist fading under southern Utah’s intense sun. We also schedule exterior plaster work around the summer heat.

Our service area extends from Washington to St. George, Hurricane, and communities throughout Washington County. Every project ends with the texture and finish you approved, blending into the surrounding walls. Call us today or use our online form to request a free estimate.

Get A Free Estimate

Why Choose Washington Elite Stucco as Your Stucco Contractor in Washington, UT

  • Washington Elite Stucco has 15 years of experience, has completed 1,000+ projects, and provides a free estimate for every job.
  • We are a licensed stucco contractor with general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage for crews working on your property.
  • We install all three stucco systems (one-coat, three-coat, and EIFS), allowing us to choose the assembly that suits your building instead of relying on the only system a crew knows.
  • We match the texture and integral color during stucco repairs so the patch is not visible from the driveway.
  • Your written estimate identifies the system, coat count, finish, color, and wall areas included in the job, and work is scheduled only after you approve those selections.
  • We schedule plaster work around the southern Utah heat and give every coat its full cure time so summer jobs do not crack early.

Call (435) 319-6039 or use the quote form to request a free estimate.

Stucco Services for Southern Utah Homes and Businesses

Commercial multifamily building with fresh stucco at dusk

Commercial Stucco Services

Storefronts, offices, and multifamily buildings see steady tenant traffic and signage changes, and the work has to stay within firm construction schedules. We plan commercial stucco around the project specification and the property manager’s access rules, keeping entrances usable and scheduling noisy work outside business hours. Because every fastener and sleeve can give water a way into the wall, we detail the signage and HVAC penetrations. At every stepped roof-wall junction, we set kickout flashing, the small diverter where a roof edge meets a wall. Depending on the project spec, we install a drainage EIFS assembly or a hard-coat system.

Crew applying stucco coats on a new construction home from scaffolding

New Construction Stucco

New construction stucco has to stay on schedule and be ready for inspection at each stage. Before the required lath inspection, we overlap the water-resistive barrier so each layer sheds water onto the one below, then complete the lath and accessories. Our crews coordinate plaster timing with the framing, windows, roofing, and trim so one trade does not hold up the next. We handle subdivisions and custom homes, and a typical project takes about 2 to 3 weeks from dry-in, when the building is closed to the weather, to the finished stucco walls.

Technician taking a moisture meter reading on a stucco wall

Stucco Remediation

Water damage behind a stucco finish can spread beyond what you see on the surface, so remediation begins by finding how far the moisture has traveled. We start with moisture-meter readings and, when needed, make small probe openings to confirm conditions inside the wall, including the wood sheathing, or structural boards beneath the stucco layers. Wood sheathing above about 19 percent moisture is wet enough to investigate before rot becomes more extensive. Once we find the source, which is often failed window-head or kickout flashing, we remove the wet sheathing and damaged materials, correct the moisture entry point, and rebuild the stucco assembly before closing the wall again.

Old stucco pried off a wall exposing the lath beneath

Stucco Removal & Replacement

Widespread cracking, loose plaster, or assembly failure can make stucco replacement more practical than paying for repeated patches. We remove the old stucco down to the sheathing so hidden damage comes into the open, then rebuild the wall with a new barrier and new lath. The replacement uses a three-coat system at a nominal 7/8 inch, the target thickness for three coats over lath. We also haul the broken plaster, wire, and job waste off your property. Re-stuccoing the house gives you the option to choose a fresh texture and color for the entire exterior.

Plasterers troweling a fresh coat of stucco beside a window

Stucco Installation

An addition, converted wall, or another new exterior surface needs a stucco system that suits the structure and blends with the original building. We begin by checking the existing wall surface, called the substrate, because the stucco must bond to it properly. We compare one-coat and three-coat assemblies based on the substrate, access, and planned finish, then install self-furring lath where required. The lath overlaps by at least 1 inch, and we add casing bead, a finished edge strip, at exposed edges for a clean termination. Once the assembly is complete, we texture and color the finished stucco to match the surrounding exterior.

Stucco home with arched entry at golden hour

Residential Stucco Services

Your home’s stucco should fit the house, its architecture, and the surrounding street. When HOA color approval is required, we handle it before ordering an integral color finish. The approved color then runs across the whole elevation so every face of the house stays consistent, and we match the texture to the neighborhood. We work on 1970s block houses and new two-story builds in the growing Washington Fields area. Homeowners can choose a whole exterior, one complete wall, or phased work that follows a larger remodeling plan.

Plasterer feathering new stucco texture across the control joint where an addition meets the original wall

Stucco Remodeling & Additions

The seam where a new wall meets the old is where remodeling work shows, so we detail that junction first. At the junction, we install an old-to-new control joint that lets the addition and the original structure move independently. We then feather the texture and match the color across the transition. We stucco everything from small bump-outs to second-story additions of more than 1,000 sq ft. Garages, room additions, and whole-house remodels end up with a continuous appearance while the movement joints continue doing their job.

Hand troweling a new tan finish coat onto a wall

Stucco Resurfacing & Recoating

When your stucco wall is structurally sound but the finish has faded, stained, or become dated, resurfacing can renew the exterior without the demolition required for replacement. We first pressure wash the wall to remove the chalk, dust, and weak residue that would stop a new coat from sticking. After applying a bonding agent, we add a leveling coat wherever the old texture or waviness needs correction. The new finish coat goes on about 1/8 inch thick in cement plaster or an acrylic finish, depending on the texture and color you want. Recoating and refinishing then give the exterior its updated appearance.

Stucco base coat and tan finish going onto a CMU block yard wall

Stucco for Block Walls

A concrete block (CMU) wall can support stucco directly, but dry masonry can pull moisture from fresh plaster too quickly and interfere with the bond. We dampen the block first to control that suction. Painted or slick surfaces also receive a bonding agent so the new material can grip properly. When the masonry is sound, we can often use a two-coat direct-to-block system, applied without installing lath over the entire wall. We finish yard walls, garden enclosures, and block homes to match the main house or in a separate accent color.

What Stucco Siding Does for a Desert Home

Stucco siding suits southern Utah for practical reasons. It handles harsh sun, adds fire resistance, moderates indoor temperature swings, and offers a long service life with little routine upkeep. We can also shape its color and texture to suit the home’s architecture.

Durability and Fire Resistance

In a hot, dry climate, fire resistance is part of how the building envelope is judged. Noncombustible cement plaster forms a hard masonry skin that does not add fuel to a fire. The same hard skin shrugs off wind-driven grit, intense sun, and the occasional hail that chews softer siding. With routine crack and sealant maintenance, a hard-coat wall commonly lasts 50 years or more.

Thermal Mass and Indoor Comfort

Hot afternoons and cool nights can make indoor temperatures swing along with the weather. Dense cement plaster has thermal mass, so it absorbs heat through the day and gives it back after dark. That moderates the temperature swing that southern Utah homes experience and keeps the indoor temperature steadier.

A Low-Maintenance Exterior

Keeping a stucco exterior in good condition does not require routine staining or sealing like some exterior materials. Upkeep comes down to a few habits, including the once-a-year walk-around and drainage care covered in the Maintenance section.

Colors, Textures, and Curb Appeal

When you want the exterior to suit the home’s architecture, stucco gives you control over the texture, color, and decorative details. It can be finished in smooth, sand, lace, knockdown, and other textures, using cement or acrylic finishes across a broad range of colors. Decorative bands, arches, and window trim can also be built into the wall, which suits everything from Southwestern homes to cleaner contemporary designs. Integral color carries the shade through the coat instead of sitting on the surface, while colors and textures can be matched to the red-rock palette used across local subdivisions. That control lasts through the life of the house. The finish can be matched to existing walls during an addition, refreshed once it fades, or changed entirely during a re-stucco. A clean, well-maintained stucco exterior keeps the whole house looking finished.

Stucco home with tower entry against a desert sunset

Stucco Systems and Finishes

Stucco terms are often used loosely, so it helps to keep the wall system separate from the material that gives it color and texture. One-coat stucco, three-coat stucco, and EIFS describe the wall systems. Acrylic and cement products give those systems their color and texture, while smooth, sand, lace, and knockdown describe the finished surface textures.

Worker floating an engineered base coat on an exterior wall

One-Coat Stucco

One-coat stucco condenses the base of the wall into a single engineered, fiber-reinforced cement coat instead of separate scratch and brown coats. A finish coat still goes over that base.

The approved one-coat system depends on what is underneath the stucco and what the manufacturer allows. Approved systems can go over foam, wood, gypsum sheathing, or masonry, and foam sheathing can also add insulation beneath the stucco. We install each system according to its ICC-ES evaluation report.

Because the base goes on in fewer stages, one-coat stucco can shorten the construction schedule compared with a traditional three-coat system.

Demonstration wall showing metal lath, scratch coat, brown coat and sand finish coat side by side

Traditional Three-Coat Stucco

On framed walls, traditional three-coat stucco uses metal or wire lath to support a hard-coat cement system. The plaster consists of a scratch coat, the first scored base layer, followed by a brown coat that levels the surface and a finish coat. IRC R703.7.2, part of the residential code Utah enforces, generally calls for three coats over that lath.

Three-coat stucco works well on custom homes, additions, commercial buildings, and older stucco walls. When your existing building already has a traditional cement system, matching that assembly helps the new work move and weather more like the surrounding plaster.

Base coat being troweled over foam insulation board

EIFS & Synthetic Stucco

EIFS is an insulated exterior cladding system made with a water-resistive barrier, insulation board, reinforced base coat, and acrylic finish. Residential EIFS uses drainage behind the insulation so incidental water can escape, as addressed by IRC R703.9.2.

EIFS is common on commercial and multifamily buildings, energy-efficient construction, architectural details, and repairs to existing EIFS.

When you see the term synthetic stucco, it usually refers to EIFS. An acrylic finish by itself is not EIFS.

Brown coat going on over metal lath on a new stucco wall

What a Licensed Stucco Contractor Builds Behind the Plaster

For your stucco to perform well over time, water that gets behind the finished surface needs a way to move back out of the wall. A stucco wall is a drainage assembly, not just the plaster you see on the outside. The hidden layers and components behind that plaster provide the drainage, whether we are working on a house or a commercial building.

Moisture Detailing at the Base and Openings

When water gets past the plaster, it needs a clear path toward the bottom of the wall instead of becoming trapped inside it. We install a water-resistive barrier behind the lath and overlap each layer to direct water downward. The moisture barrier acts as the wall’s raincoat, carrying water to a weep screed that gives it a place to drain out.

For water to drain properly, the opening at the bottom of the wall needs to stay clear. Under the residential code enforced in Utah, IRC R703.7.2.1, the weep screed must sit at least 4 inches above bare earth or at least 2 inches above a paved surface.

Roof-to-wall intersections and the tops of windows are common places for water to get behind stucco. Most of the stucco repairs we make in Washington County can be traced back to problems at a roof-wall joint or window head, so we pay close attention to those areas. Kickout flashing directs roof runoff away from the stucco where a roof meets a wall, while head flashing carries water over the top of windows.

Lath and Accessories Set to ASTM C1063

If your building has framed walls, the cement plaster needs metal lath for support. We install the lath to ASTM C1063, the same lath-and-furring standard our crews follow on every installation.

Wet plaster needs enough space to push through the metal mesh and lock behind it as it hardens. Self-furring lath is designed to stand slightly away from the wall to provide that space. Paper-backed lath combines the metal mesh with water-resistive paper bonded to the back, so it provides plaster reinforcement along with part of the wall’s moisture-management system.

The lath attachment points need to remain sound behind the finished plaster. We use corrosion-resistant fasteners so those points do not rust out. Around openings, penetrations, and exposed edges, casing beads give the stucco a clean, controlled stopping point.

Once the finish is applied, you will no longer see most of the components that support the plaster and manage water behind it. The plaster is only as sound as the lath and detailing underneath, which is why we give the hidden parts of the wall the same care as the finished surface.

Worker misting a freshly plastered wall with water to keep it curing in desert heat

Curing and Crack Control in Southern Utah Heat

Cracks are more likely when fresh cement plaster loses moisture before it has enough time to harden properly. Washington’s heat, low humidity and desert winds can pull water out of new stucco too quickly and weaken the plaster, so we adjust the work around the weather instead of treating hot, dry conditions like a normal day.

Large wall areas need planned places to absorb normal movement so cracks are less likely to form randomly across the stucco. Control joints and expansion joints provide those places and play an important role in protecting the finished surface.

Curing Cement Plaster in Desert Conditions

Before applying fresh plaster, we dampen the substrate so it does not immediately pull moisture out of the new coat. Once the plaster is in place, moist curing keeps it damp long enough for the cement to hydrate and develop strength.

Applying the next coat too soon can keep the plaster from developing as intended, so IRC R703.7.5 sets minimum waiting periods between coats. In a traditional three-coat system, the brown coat, which is the second plaster layer, goes on no sooner than 48 hours after the scratch coat. The finish coat then waits a full seven days after the brown coat. The code also requires each coat to remain moist for at least 48 hours before the next coat is applied.

Those waiting periods are minimums, and the actual weather can require more time. If intense heat, wind or low humidity is drying the surface too quickly, we extend the curing period rather than rushing the next coat. During 100°F-plus summer weather, we also schedule plaster work to avoid the harshest afternoon sun. We treat drying wind and very low humidity much like other bad weather because both can interfere with proper curing.

Control Joints That Absorb Movement

Random cracks are less likely when a large wall is divided into sections that can accommodate normal building and temperature movement. A control joint creates a planned break in the plaster surface, and the section of wall between two control joints is called a panel.

To keep each panel within the limits established for stucco construction, we size the wall sections according to ASTM C1063. A panel is generally limited to about 144 square feet, with no side longer than 18 feet and no panel more than two and a half times as long as it is wide.

Openings, floor lines and transitions between old and new construction are places where movement is more likely to concentrate. We plan control joints around those areas. If your building already has a structural movement joint, an expansion joint continues through the stucco at that location so the plaster can move with the structure instead of bridging across the joint.

Southern Utah’s day-to-night temperature changes make exterior walls expand and contract on a regular basis. Properly placed control and expansion joints give your wall a planned place for that movement to occur, helping keep it from showing up as random cracks across the finished stucco.

Stucco Cost Factors in Washington County

The price of your stucco job depends on the exterior wall area, selected system, and existing surface condition. Before pricing the job, we measure the wall faces, openings, corners, and gables. The building shape and architectural detail also affect where the job falls within the published cost range.

  • The base price covers materials, labor, and tear-off and disposal; scaffold access for tall or obstructed walls is quoted into the jobs that need it.
  • Published national guides place full removal and replacement at $8–21 per sq ft of wall.
  • What you pay for repair work depends on the area that has to come out; published guides put it at $8–50 per sq ft (small jobs spread setup and texture matching over less wall, so the per-foot rate runs higher than replacement) and put most complete repair jobs at about $600–2,650, with the average near $1,630.
  • Your system choice moves the price because three-coat, one-coat, and EIFS assemblies need different materials and different labor.
  • The condition of your wall sets the prep, so damaged sheathing, failed lath, and heavy surface prep all add to the scope.
  • Wall height and tight access add setup time and scaffold, while a cement finish and an acrylic finish differ in material price and color options.
Written stucco estimate on a clipboard

From First Call to Finished Walls: How Our Process Works

A stucco job is easier to plan when you know what happens next and what it will cost before any work starts. Washington Elite Stucco keeps the process predictable from the first phone call onward, whether you need a one-wall repair or a full re-stucco.

  1. 1.

    Reach Out

    Start by calling (435) 319-6039 or filling out the quote form. Tell us whether you need a repair, a re-stucco, or new installation.

  2. 2.

    Free On-Site Estimate

    We inspect the walls, and where the damage suggests a leak, we take moisture readings. You receive a written scope within 24 to 48 hours of the visit.

  3. 3.

    Pick System, Finish, and Color

    Before you make a decision, we explain the recommended system and show you texture and color samples. Once you approve the selections, we set the work date.

  4. 4.

    The Work

    Before work starts, our crew protects your windows, roof edges, and landscaping. We put the coats on in order, give each one the time it needs to set, and clean the site each day.

  5. 5.

    Daylight Walkthrough

    Natural daylight makes differences in texture and color easier to see, so we review the finished walls with you outside. We fix anything on the punch list, the short list of touch-ups from that walkthrough, before we leave.

Ready to talk about your walls?

Call for a free on-site estimate, or request one through our form.

Call Now: (435) 319-6039
Weathered stucco wall with cracks and staining

Warning Signs of Stucco Damage

You can usually see or hear warning signs of stucco damage before a larger section fails. Check for changes in a crack’s width, color, and shape, especially around windows and other wall openings.

Cracks That Mean Movement

Fine hairline cracks and crazing, the web of shallow surface cracks, are common cosmetic changes, while other crack patterns deserve closer attention. A crack wider than about 1/16 inch is worth a closer look, especially if it keeps growing or comes back after a patch. A stair-step cracking pattern near a window corner can point to wall movement. When dark staining appears beside a crack, water is already getting in through it.

Water and Sun Symptoms

A wall that bulges or sounds hollow when you tap it has let go of its base, a condition the trade calls delamination. Rust streaks can signal that the lath is corroding. When water passes through the wall, it can leave a white mineral residue called efflorescence. Fading appears as chalky color that will not rinse away, and once your wall reaches that point, it is a candidate for refinishing rather than repair.

Simple Stucco Maintenance That Prevents Bigger Repairs

Routine stucco maintenance takes little time, and it can spare you from larger repair bills. Keeping the wall clean, the drainage points open, and the sealant sound protects the finish from avoidable wear.

A Once-a-Year Walk-Around

Once a year, walk the outside of the house and check the corners, window heads, wall penetrations, and base. Note any new cracks, stains, or caulk pulling away from a joint. Sealant at joints and penetrations usually lasts about 5 to 10 years, so recaulk on that cycle before weather opens the gaps.

Keep Water and Soil Off the Wall

Direct sprinklers away from the house because hard-water overspray leaves mineral staining and drives salts into the finish. Keep soil, mulch, and hardscape from creeping up over the weep screed at the base. Between refinishes, rinse dust off with gentle water pressure and skip high-pressure washing.

Homeowner running a fresh bead of sealant along the joint where a stucco wall meets a window

About Washington, Utah: Cotton Mission Town in Utah’s Dixie

A Washington property may sit near the community’s historic center in Old Town or on the newer side of a city that is growing quickly. Washington began in 1857 as an LDS cotton mission, when 28 families led by Robert Dockery Covington arrived to raise the crop. The cotton fields helped give Utah’s Dixie its name, and the historic cotton mill still stands. The Washington School museum and Elephant Arch mark Old Town’s earlier role as the community center, while Crimson Cliffs High School sits on the newer side of town. Washington counted 27,993 residents in 2020, and it is now one of the fastest-growing parts of the St. George metropolitan area.

Red rock formations frame Washington, Utah, at 2,894 ft elevation on the Mojave Desert edge. Wherever your property sits, its stucco faces intense heat and long hours of direct sun. The desert climate fades color and ages joint sealants, so most exteriors here eventually need recoating or refinishing. New subdivisions in Washington Fields and Green Springs keep new-construction stucco moving, while the older walls in Old Town need repair. A stucco company working across Washington County must understand both sides of the city.

Areas We Serve

Whether your property is in an established neighborhood, a growing subdivision, or a smaller town elsewhere in the county, Washington Elite Stucco serves Washington and the communities around it as a local stucco contractor. Give us the property address, and we will confirm that the job sits inside our normal coverage.

  • Washington, UT
  • St. George, UT
  • Hurricane, UT
  • La Verkin, UT
  • Toquerville, UT
  • Leeds, UT
  • Santa Clara, UT
  • Ivins, UT
  • Virgin, UT
  • Apple Valley, UT
  • Rockville, UT
  • Springdale, UT
  • New Harmony, UT
  • Central, UT
  • Dammeron Valley, UT
  • Diamond Valley, UT
  • Pine Valley, UT
  • Veyo, UT

Neighborhoods We Serve in Washington

Inside the city, we work across Old Town and the newer subdivisions on both sides of the interstate.

  • Washington Fields
  • Coral Canyon
  • Green Springs
  • Sienna Hills
  • Stucki Farms
  • Sunrise Valley
  • Long Valley
  • Brio
  • Franklin Fields
  • Brookhaven Fields
  • Chaparral Heights
  • Chaparral Ridge
  • Roadrunner Ridge
  • Majestic Heights
  • Old Town Washington

What Customers Say About Working With Us

We work for homeowners, builders, property managers, and HOA boards.

Stucco Questions We Hear Most

What is the average cost for stucco repair?

Published guides put the average complete repair near $1,630, but the price follows the area that has to come out, how far the damage runs behind the surface, and whether the texture and color have to be matched into a weathered wall. Most patch repairs are a one-day visit for the crew, though the patch itself keeps curing after we leave and the finish coat is scheduled around that. We provide a free written estimate.

Can a handyman do stucco?

A handyman can handle a shallow cosmetic patch. Work involving lath, flashing, or coat timing needs a licensed and insured stucco contractor because a failed repair can trap and conceal water.

Will insurance pay for stucco repair?

Homeowners insurance often covers sudden stucco damage from a storm or impact, subject to your policy. Gradual wear and slow leaks are commonly excluded. We photograph the damage and document its likely cause.

When should I worry about stucco cracks?

Hairline crazing can be normal. Schedule an inspection when a crack reaches about 1/16 inch, follows a stair-step pattern, shows staining, or opens again in the same spot after repair.

How much does it cost to stucco a 1500 square foot house?

Contractors price stucco by exterior wall area, which is a different number from the floor plan. Wall height, gables, and the number of windows and doors all move that figure, so two 1,500 square foot houses can have very different wall areas. We measure the actual faces, and the quote is free.

Can stucco be repaired if it cracks?

Yes. Nearly all cracked stucco can be repaired, and texture matching helps the new finish blend with the existing color. Skip DIY caulk beads; they leave visible ridges and interfere with a proper crack repair.

Do you handle commercial buildings and new construction?

Yes. As a local stucco company, we perform commercial stucco, new construction stucco for builders, and residential work. Whichever type yours is, a licensed crew works from a single written scope.

Get a Free Stucco Estimate in Washington, UT

Request a free on-site estimate from Washington Elite Stucco for a home or commercial property in Washington or Washington County. Call (435) 319-6039 or use our quote form. We will look at the project, answer your questions, and follow up with a written scope before any work begins. The estimate is free whether the job involves one cracked wall or a whole building.