Start a Stucco Repair and Patching Business
Fix cracks, water damage and patches on stucco walls, and recoat small areas for homeowners.
- $2.5k-9k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
18,258 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
NAICS 238140 “Masonry contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Smaller stucco jobs: filling cracks, cutting out and patching damaged areas, matching textures and colors, and repainting or sealing repaired walls. You work on your own or with one helper.
Your first three steps
- Learn the trade through an apprenticeship, a short course or paid work with a local stucco crew, and practice texture matching on sample boards
- Check with your state contractor licensing board and your city or county whether you need a license for repair work, and get general liability insurance
- Buy a basic tool and scaffold kit, photograph your sample boards, and tell local realtors, roofers and property managers you do repairs
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, property managers, real estate agents getting homes ready to sell, and small HOAs.
How it makes money
Fixed quote per repair job or per square foot, with extra for texture matching, painting and sealing. Referrals from handymen, roofers and realtors can bring repeat work.
Skills that help
- Troweling and texture matching
- Spotting moisture and water damage
- Clear quoting and customer communication
Watch out for
- State contractor or plastering license rules vary, and some states set a job value limit above which a license is needed, so check yours
- General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire anyone
- Hidden moisture damage behind the stucco can turn a small job into a big one, so put inspection limits in writing
- Physical work outdoors and at height, with weather delays
- Check local rules on dust, runoff and disposing of waste material
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a stucco repair business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,500 to $9,000, depending on the tools, materials and vehicle setup you need, and whether you work alone or with a helper. Insurance is another cost to plan for.
How much can a stucco repair business make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on how many jobs you take, job size and your local area. Weather delays and hidden moisture damage can affect your schedule and the time each job takes.
Do I need a license to repair stucco?
State contractor or plastering license rules vary, and some states set a job value limit above which a license is needed, so check yours. Also check insurance, local rules on dust, runoff and waste disposal, and put inspection limits in writing.
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