Cost to build concrete block wall
If you’re building a house, you might be faced with the task of building a concrete block wall. This can be an excellent way to build a sturdy and attractive wall that will last for many years. In this article, we’ll take a look at how much it costs to build a concrete block wall.
Costs
The cost of building a concrete block wall depends on the size and materials used for the project. For example, if you hire someone to do the work for you, it will likely cost about $1 per square foot for labor and materials. Construction costs are typically higher in areas with higher labor costs, such as California or New York City. If you’re going to do it yourself, expect to spend between $2-$3 per square foot for materials alone (without labor).
Materials
The main material required for building concrete block walls is concrete blocks themselves (also known as cinder blocks). These blocks can be purchased at local hardware stores or home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. There are many different types of blocks available today – some have smooth sides while others have rough surfaces that help prevent water penetration into the walls during rainstorms or snow melt-off periods during warmer months when temperatures rise above freezing point (32°F)
Cost to build concrete block wall
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Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Block wall: concrete blocks are assembled into a wall with mortar, reinforcing steel, and 2″ thick cap; including waste and misc. material. | $3.57 | per sq. ft. | 2,250 | $8,036 |
2. Footingwith #4 reinforcing bar steel including waste and misc. material. | $3.65 | per foot | 380 | $1,387 |
3. Equipment: footing trencher and power cement mixer; including transport and fuel. | $0.96 | per foot | 350 | $336 |
4. Labor: 285 hours to install the block wall and 18 hoursto install the footing. | $34 | per hour | 303 | $10,302 |
Total Cost$20,061350 feet x 6′ tall block |
Other considerations and costs
- Taxes and permit fees are not included.
- Concrete blocks are 16″ long x 8″ tall x 6″ wide and the footing is 18″ wide x 8″ deep.
- Be certain of property line location and local regulations regarding fence installation setback, and regarding concrete footing requirements.
- This example assumes perfectly even terrain; uneven terrain will increase the price.
Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.
DIY considerations
- The concrete and block work may not be suitable for DIY.
- Partial DIY may be suitable for able DIY persons, saving that labor cost.
Building a concrete block wall is an easy do-it-yourself project that can be completed in one day. The cost of building a concrete block wall is about $1,500, not including the cost of materials.
The total time for building a concrete block wall is about 1 day. The cost of building a concrete block wall is about $1,500.
Materials
Concrete blocks are inexpensive and come in various sizes and shapes. You can use regular cement blocks or concrete blocks that have been reinforced with steel rebar inside them. Concrete blocks can be found at home centers such as Lowe’s and Menards, as well as at masonry supply stores like Masonry Supply Company or Block & Brick Supply Company.
If you’re using standard cement blocks, you’ll need about 32 blocks per linear foot of wall, which includes three courses for an 8-inch-high wall (3 courses on top of each other) and two courses for a 6-inch-high wall (2 courses on top of each other). If you’re using reinforced concrete blocks, you’ll need about 28 blocks per linear foot of wall — one less course than regular cement blocks since they’re thicker and have steel reinforcement built into them already. For example, if your wall
Concrete block walls are typically constructed of concrete blocks, mortar and steel reinforcing bars. The wall is usually reinforced with horizontal concrete blocks or a metal rebar cage that surrounds vertical columns of blocks.
The cost to build a concrete block wall depends on the size of the wall you want to build and the type of material you use for construction.
Concrete Block Foundation Cost
The average cost to build a concrete block foundation is about $1,500 to $3,500 for a single-story home. The cost varies depending on whether it’s built above-ground or below ground and how many blocks you need. For example, building an above-ground foundation that uses 6″ concrete blocks costs about $2 per square foot, while an underground foundation can cost $5 per square foot or more.
Concrete Block Wall Materials Cost
A typical 8″-tall block wall requires about 15 blocks per linear foot, which costs about $5 per linear foot in materials alone. If your wall is taller than 8″, then each additional block adds $1 per linear foot to your total material cost. For example, if your wall is 12″ tall and has 12 rows of blocks (12 x 15 = 180), then each row will cost
Concrete block walls are a popular choice for building a home, but their cost can vary greatly depending on how much work you’re willing to do yourself.
It’s possible to build your own concrete block wall — and save money doing it — if you have the time, skill and patience. The materials to build the wall will cost between $2 and $5 per square foot. If you pay someone else to do it, expect to spend at least $10 per square foot.
The average cost of a concrete block wall depends on several factors:
Size of the wall: The larger the wall, the more blocks you’ll need. So if you’re building an 8-foot high wall, that means more blocks than if you’re building a 4-foot high wall.
Type of blocks: Concrete block walls come in different sizes and shapes, which affect their price. If your project requires a lot of special shapes or sizes, these will be more expensive than standard blocks.
Costs vary by region as well as by contractor; check with an architect for an estimate or use Contractor Cost Guides for specific areas in your state or city
The cost of concrete block wall construction depends on the size and complexity of your project. The only way to know how much your concrete block wall will cost is by getting free estimates from local contractors.
The average price for a concrete block wall ranges from $5 per square foot to $8 per square foot. The average cost for building a basic, 4-foot high concrete block wall is about $20 per linear foot (i.e. $800). This includes labor, materials and equipment rental. If you hire an experienced contractor with years of experience building concrete walls, you can expect to pay between $5 and $8 per square foot for this type of work.
If you don’t have access to a site survey or a contractor willing to do one for free, here are some sample costs based on averages for each part of the job:
Concrete blocks: $2 per block plus delivery charges (about 25 cents each)
Sand (30-pound bags): $18-32 per bag plus delivery charges ($1-$2 each)
Cement (5-gallon pails): $12-$16 per bucket plus delivery charges ($2-$3 each)