On this page
It applies to every contractor you talk to, including ours.
Know What the Job Needs
You'll compare quotes better if you know roughly what kind of repair you're asking about:
- Cracks. Most are cosmetic; some need sealing. See hairline cracks and stucco crack repair products.
- Holes and damaged spots. Patched and matched to the wall. See repairing stucco walls.
- Water behind the stucco. The source gets found and fixed first. See stucco water damage.
- Large areas. Sometimes re-stuccoing a wall makes more sense than patching it. See stucco replacement.
Check the License
Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) tells homeowners to ask contractors for their license information and to verify it at MyFloridaLicense.com or in the DBPR mobile app. The state's guide to avoiding contractor fraud, from Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate, says the same: "Verify that the contractor has an active, valid Florida license."
Ask which license the contractor holds and look it up yourself. A contractor who's properly licensed won't mind.
Check the Insurance
The state's fraud guide lists two things to confirm before you sign anything:
- General liability insurance, by asking for a Certificate of Insurance.
- Workers' compensation insurance, or proof of an exemption. The state's workers' compensation data portal shows either one.
The DBPR warns that a contractor's "lack of necessary insurance" can create "possible liability for the homeowner." Get copies of both before the work starts.
Read the Reviews and Ask for References
- Reviews. Look for recent reviews that describe stucco work, not just a star rating, and for how the contractor handled anything that went wrong.
- References. The state's fraud guide suggests asking for "local references, preferably references that are less than 12 months old."
Get Detailed Written Estimates
The state's fraud guide recommends detailed written estimates from at least three licensed, insured contractors. Compare what each one covers, not only the total. A good stucco repair estimate says:
- which areas of the wall are being repaired,
- what happens behind the stucco, if anything (barrier, lath, flashing),
- how the texture and color will be matched, and whether paint is included,
- who gets the permit, if one is needed; the state's fraud guide says the contract should state that the contractor will obtain "the necessary permits,"
- when the work starts and how long it takes.
Questions to Ask a Stucco Contractor
- What do you think is causing the damage, and how will the repair stop it from coming back?
- Is the wall block or frame here, and what's behind the stucco?
- How will you match the texture and color?
- Does this job need a permit, and who pulls it?
- Who will do the work, and who do I call if something isn't right?
Red Flags
- Won't show a license or proof of insurance. The state's fraud guide flags a contractor who won't provide certificates of insurance or references.
- Won't put the scope and price in writing.
- Pushes you to sign on the spot.
- Shows up at the door after a storm. The DBPR warns that after storms, "fraudsters will come out of the woodwork," and urges homeowners to "reject fraudulent and illegal offers to perform work on their homes."
Stucco Repair in Orlando with Stucco HQ
When you call Stucco HQ, a real person answers, 24/7, and your local Stucco HQ contractor for Central Florida calls back to set a time to see the wall. The contractor looks at the damage in person and puts the repair and the price in writing, free, before any work starts. Every Stucco HQ contractor meets the same contractor standards, starting with being licensed and insured.
See the Orlando stucco repair page for local details, or how a stucco repair works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a contractor's license in Florida?
Ask the contractor for their license information, then look it up at MyFloridaLicense.com or in the DBPR mobile app, as the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation advises.
What insurance should a stucco contractor have?
General liability insurance, shown on a Certificate of Insurance, and workers' compensation insurance or proof of an exemption. Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate advises getting copies of both before you sign.
How many estimates should I get for stucco repair?
Florida's contractor fraud guide recommends detailed written estimates from at least three licensed, insured contractors. Compare the scope of each, not just the price.
What should a stucco repair estimate include?
The areas being repaired, any work behind the stucco, how the texture and color will be matched, whether paint is included, who pulls any permit, and when the work starts and how long it takes.
Do I need a permit for stucco repair in Orlando?
It depends on the size and kind of repair. A contractor should know, and the state's fraud guide recommends that the contract say the contractor will get the necessary permits.
Sources and data used on this page
The figures and facts on this page come from public records and official sources. Links open in a new tab.
Florida consumer guidance
- Florida DBPR Urges Floridians to Use Only Licensed Professionals for Home Repairs Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Verifying a contractor's license, the insurance warning, and unlicensed offers after storms.
- Don't Be a Victim: Prevent Contractor Fraud and Abuse Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate License, liability and workers' compensation checks, three written estimates, references, permits and red flags.
Last reviewed:
Stucco HQ is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate. Checked against both sources on November 12, 2026.