We are re-modeling our home & adding an addition. The addition will have tabby exterior & we want to update rest of house to the same. Can we tabby over the painted cedar already existing? Our contractor says probably would be fine. We want to make sure this wouldn't cause problems. Please HELP!

By tabby exterior I assume your speaking of a cement and shell type of material?

You need a solid surface in order to nail down your wire mesh to before you apply any kind of stucco finish. If you have cedar shingles you need to remove them down to the plywood under them. Do not forget to place asphalt paper or housewrap under the wire mesh as well.

Wood structures do not fair real well with cement stucco sidings. Even the new systems with all the additives in the portland cement that is used. Wood expands and contracts in homes, cement does not, The result is cracks. There are several methods of crack control that should be used. Most of which are not done by contractors.
All cement stucco systems require crack controls at every window and door opening. Expansion joints are required every 144 square feet or at least every 12 feet in length.

Be sure that the person doing this work is insured and has been doing this work for several years and ask for several referrences from people who he or she did this type of work prior to hiring this person.

Once applied this product is very hard to fix and or replace. So be sure its done properly the first time.