Start a Stucco Contractor Crew for Full-Wall Jobs

Homeowners doing additions or renovations, homebuilders, general contractors, property owners and small commercial clients.

Quoted price per project, usually based on square footage of wall, covering materials, labor and equipment. Repeat work from builders and general contractors helps keep the crew busy.

• Plastering and stucco application
• Estimating materials and labor
• Managing crew and schedules

• A state contractor or plastering license is required in many states, and exams and experience requirements vary, so check early
• General liability, workers' compensation once you hire, and possibly a surety bond, so check what clients and your state require
• Water intrusion and defect claims, so follow manufacturer instructions and building code, and keep records and photos
• Equipment, scaffolding and working at height need proper safety practice, so check OSHA guidance
• Cash flow, since materials and payroll are paid before the client pays, so agree deposits and payment schedules in contracts
• Check local rules on employees versus independent contractors

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on equipment, scaffolding, vehicles, insurance and how large a crew you start with. Materials and payroll are paid before clients pay, so agree deposits in your contracts.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on crew size, job types and how steadily you book work. Costs for materials, payroll and insurance come out of that revenue, so plan your cash flow.

A state contractor or plastering license is required in many states, with varying exams and experience requirements, so check early. Also check insurance, workers' compensation and bond needs, OSHA guidance, and employee versus independent contractor rules.