Stucco repair costs in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids sits in Lake Michigan's snow path. When winter winds blow from the west, the National Weather Service says, the heaviest lake-effect bands come ashore and carry inland all the way to Grand Rapids. For your house, that means snow banked against the walls and meltwater soaking in at the base.

On stucco, watch the bottom foot or two. Wet snow holds water against the wall, the water freezes overnight, and the surface starts to flake or pop off in small chips. Shovel snow away from the foundation line when you clear the walk.

Inside the city limits, the houses run old. More than a third of homes were built before 1940, Census estimates show. Heritage Hill's federal historic listing covers a period from 1825 to 1949, with Greek Revival, Italianate and Colonial Revival houses on its streets.

If your home is in one of the city's historic districts, repairs need a Certificate of Appropriateness before work starts. Some are approved by city staff; others go to the Historic Preservation Commission. Once you have that and your permits, you can begin.