Basically, a 'mud job' is just putting a thin veneer of compound over wallboard..it can also be called a 'skim coat'. It is basically joint compound, rarely it is plaster. Yes the guy has referrals, but what were the projects? Were they sensitive work on old houses to yield something which is like what might have been the original appearance, or were they gut jobs and remodels with no respect for the original house? From what you've said of him, I suspect the latter. Ripping out and replacing work with newer materials often yields an inferior result and costs more money than a decent job--he is pushing for the fastest methods to do the work, like someone who is primarily a 'flipper' of houses, not a true professional. Despite your saying he isn't profiting somewhere with his subcontractors or materials, I don't believe it for a second...he is going to make money somewhere, otherwise he wouldn't be doing the job. Based on the information provided as to his recommendations for the work to be done, he IS suggesting things which aren't needed. With a baby on the way, and new home owners, he is seeing a prime opportunity to make some fast money. Did you get estimates from other contractors and painters? That is an absolute MUST for any project. I know I'm sounding negative to you, but it is just common sense--I used to be a trusting person, but being burned one time too many changed that--and since a house is your biggest investment, you don't want to take ANY chances with such a big ticket expense. With a new addition to the family coming, you absolutely MUST save where you can, unless you have deep pockets, which you say you don't. Just a queston of curiosity: who put the idea in your head that the walls lead paint was a danger which had to be addressed by a complete removal? Paint chips are eliminated with vacuuming, unless you let them accumulate for weeks...and painted trim is going to be more likely to give them especially at corners...but again, the solution is to make sure the paint is sound and has a firmly adhered new layer.

The solution to stucco hairline cracks is to use elastomeric paint. The paint needs to be rolled to force it into the cracks properly. You can spray it on and backroll. That's the best way. Make sure you do 2 full coats. A good quality, 100% acrylic elastomeric paint will fill cracks up to 1/16" wide, and the coating lasts for over 5 years without showing crack. Elastomeric is self-priming on new stucco, meaning you don't need to use a separate primer. It may be a good idea to add a little water to the first coat in order to help it absorb into the pores better. For larger cracks wider than 1/16", use an elastomeric caulk. You may be able to find one with some texture added (like mentioned above) that will belnd in perfectly. I have a house near the coast, in Pacifica, CA. The current paint was done by myself in 2006. 2 walls of my house were new stucco, done rather poorly by unlicensed guys off the street, and the other 2 walls were 50 year old stucco from the original construction. All the walls had severe cracks over the entire surface. Way worse than your photo. I carefully cleaned and prepped the larger cracks with elastomeric caulk, and applied 2 coats of KM-1128 Kel seal Elastomeric paint. 7 years later, it still looks fine. None of the cracks have opened through the surface. You can't even see where they used to be.

Wow--well assuming this crack is nothing to worry about-- I would try something like filling the crack with a syringe needle filled with superglue or white toothpaste. After it was dry try to lightly smooth it needed. I would then find a magic marker or artistic acrylic paint or even a colored pencil and try to color in the beige. The I would use eraser liquid marker to fill in the white. All crazy but looks like you have nothing to lose!

thanks mainenell. Any suggestions on the type of caulking, Im sure once I go to Lowes or HD, there will be so many types and brands with minor and major differences, I will get lost. Most frustrating thing about a DIY project is to pick an item at these big box stores. Is this the current one grout?