So, you're looking at your stucco and thinking, "Time for a change." Maybe it's cracked, looks old, or you just want a new vibe. Taking off old stucco can really transform your house, but let me tell you, it's not as easy as just yanking it off. I've been doing this for years, and I've seen firsthand the headaches and heartaches homeowners in places like Silver Lake or the Hollywood Hills get into when they don't plan things out or hire smart. Let's talk about the biggest screw-ups and how you can totally avoid them.
Ignoring What's Hiding Underneath
This is probably the biggest mistake I see, hands down. People get so focused on getting the old stucco off, they completely forget to even think about what's actually underneath. Back in the day, especially on some of those older homes around Los Angeles, stucco often went right over wood siding—sometimes even beautiful old redwood or cedar. Other times, it's just over sheathing. You really need to know what you're about to expose before you start chipping away, right?
If you're planning to swap it out for new siding, that's one thing. But if you're hoping to bring back original wood, you might be in for a real surprise. That wood could be damaged, rotted, or full of a million nail holes. And if water has gotten in, which happens a lot with failing stucco, you could be dealing with mold or even structural damage. A good contractor will do a moisture inspection before any big work starts, just to find water damage behind the walls. Don't just assume it's perfect. Get a pro to open up a small section first, or at least do some serious digging yourself. It'll save you a huge headache and potentially thousands of dollars later on, believe me.
Skipping the Permit Process
I get it, permits can be a real pain. But trying to skip them for stucco removal is a rookie mistake that can cost you big time. In Los Angeles, if you're doing a full re-stucco, fixing the structural substrate, or any work that changes the exterior cladding system, you're almost certainly going to need a building permit. Even if you're just taking off stucco and putting on new siding that doesn't change the structure, you might still need one.
The rules vary by city and even by specific project within LA County, so your contractor really should know the local requirements. If a contractor tells you to pull the permit as an