Concrete block walls are a popular choice for building fences and foundations. They are strong, attractive and can be built in any size or shape. The cost of building a concrete block wall is dependent on the size and complexity of your project as well as the type of blocks you use.
Building a concrete block wall is a great alternative to brick or stone. It’s easy to install, and you can choose from many colors and styles of blocks. Block walls are made up of stacked blocks of concrete that are usually mortared together with cement. The mortar is poured into the joints between the blocks, which helps hold them together and provides a smooth surface for painting.
Before you start building your wall, you’ll need to decide where it will go and how high it needs to be. Then you can measure out your space and plan where each block will go, keeping in mind that they need about 3/8″ of space between each other for mortar. If you’re using pre-made forms, use them as guides for placing your blocks on top of one another, ensuring that they’re level with one another all the way up the wall (or at least until you get close). If not, then use stakes and string along the ground as guides instead. Once your walls are built up to the desired height (at least 12″), fill in any gaps between them with smaller pieces of concrete block or mortar mix (which is similar but has less sand).
Concrete Block Wall Costs
A concrete block wall costs $0.90 to $1.15 per linear foot, depending on the size and quality of your blocks. For example, cinder blocks in a 6-inch by 12-inch size range from $2-$6 each and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
A more expensive option is to use natural stone which costs anywhere between $7-$30 per square foot for installation. This type of material requires more time for installation but gives you a more natural appearance that will last longer than using concrete blocks or bricks alone.
Concrete Block Wall Costs – Labor Costs For Cinder Block Installation
You’ll need some help from friends or family members when building a concrete block wall foundation yourself because it takes time and physical effort to dig the foundation trench manually without any machinery assistance like tractors or backhoes available here at Ready Concrete Block Wall Systems Incorporated.
Concrete Block Wall Cost Per Linear Foot.
The cost of building a concrete block wall is one of the most common questions asked here at Concrete Block Building Supply.
Luckily for you, we have the answer.
How much does it cost to build a concrete block wall?
The average cost of concrete block walls is about $2 per linear foot, but that includes everything from materials and labor costs to delivery charges. So how exactly do you calculate your own cost per linear foot?
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Concrete Block Wall?
How much does it cost to build a concrete block wall? This can vary depending on the size of your project, and whether you hire a contractor or do it yourself. The average cost per square foot for concrete block walls is about $3.50-$4.50 per square foot for labor costs and materials. For example, if you have 10 lineal feet in total length (6ft x 5ft), that’s 50 square feet total length times $3.50 per square foot = $175 in labor costs alone.
All other things being equal, larger blocks will be more expensive than smaller ones—but not always by much. For example: a typical 8-inch-wide block can cost anywhere from $1-$1.90 each; whereas a 12-inch wide one might run from $2-$3 each; but there are always exceptions to every rule—and sometimes even with these differences there are no noticeable visual differences between them once installed. The choice really comes down to personal taste rather than price tag alone here – so don’t feel pressured into going bigger just because everyone else does.
Additional Costs of Building a Concrete Block Wall Foundation
In addition to the cost of concrete blocks and cement, there are also other costs associated with building a concrete block wall foundation. These include:
- Cost of Concrete Blocks – The price per bag varies depending on the size and quantity required. You can expect to pay between $1 and $2 per 25-pound bag; however, you may find some deals that offer volume discounts or even free delivery. If you’re looking for an alternative material, such as stone or brick (which is more expensive), then your overall project cost will increase significantly because you’ll need more materials for each square foot of wall construction.
- Cost of Concrete Block Wall Foundation – This includes labor costs such as wages paid to masons who specialize in laying block foundations like yours due to their extensive training requirements before being allowed onto actual construction sites; equipment expenses like scaffolding platforms used during construction which don’t last forever but must be replaced regularly due their high demand by contractors working on large projects like yours; permits associated with obtaining permission from local authorities before starting work on your new home’s foundation; etcetera…
Labor for Cinder Block Installation
Labor costs for concrete block installation will vary depending on the project and your location. In general, however, here are some average labor costs for concrete block installation:
- Labor costs of $30 per hour
- Estimate that it takes 2-3 hours to install a cinder block wall
If you wanted a professional contractor to help with your project, expect to pay between $8 and $15 per hour in labor fees.
You can get a cinder block wall installed by a contractor for $15 per square foot.
The average cost of installing a cinder block wall is $15 per square foot. In some parts of the country, this cost may be slightly higher or lower than the average. For example, in areas with high labor costs such as New York City, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $25 per square foot for a concrete block wall installation. However, if you live in an area with low labor costs like rural Mississippi where there are few unionized construction workers, your contractor might charge less than $10 per square foot to build your concrete block wall.
How Much Does a Concrete Block Wall Cost?
When you’re building a concrete block wall, the cost of your materials depends on the size of your project. The bigger the wall, the more blocks you’ll need—and therefore, the more money you’ll spend. On average, though, concrete block walls can be built for about $10 per square foot (psf). This works out to about $14-$18 psf if you pay by the pallet instead of by bag.
Using this guide as a reference point and using our handy calculator for calculating dimensions of your job site and material quantities required for construction projects , here are some sample costs:
Concrete Block Types & Costs
Concrete block comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common type is CMU or concrete masonry unit, which refers to any block that is used for walls or foundations. There are five types of blocks that you can choose from:
Standard Concrete Block or CMU’s
Solid Blocks or CMU’s
Split Face Blocks or CMU’s
Ground Face Blocks or CMU’s
Lightweight Concrete Blocks (LWCB)
Standard Concrete Block or CMU
Standard concrete blocks are the kind of block you’ll find at most home improvement stores. They’re made up of Portland cement and sand, and they have a smooth finish. Standard concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes and colors, so they’re great for building walls, fences, and other structures like retaining walls.
Standard concrete block comes in lengths varying from 4 inches to 24 inches long (with most being 8-inch or 12-inch). Blocks vary in thickness as well: the standard is 6 inches thick but some manufacturers offer thinner versions that are 4 inches thick when stacked on top of each other (this is called double-stacking).
Solid Blocks or CMU’s
There are two types of concrete block walls: CMU’s and solid blocks. CMU’s are the most common type of concrete block wall, and they’re reinforced with rebar to give it a greater load-bearing capacity. They’re also the most expensive type of concrete block wall because they contain more material than solid blocks, which means you can’t save money by using less materials when building your wall. In fact, you’ll probably end up using slightly more.
CMU’s are stronger than other types of concrete blocks because they’re made with various sizes of aggregate (sand) within each layer so that each layer fits snugly against one another like puzzle pieces, forming an interlocking bond that adds strength to the overall structure. These days I’m leaning towards CMU’s; however, if you’d like something less expensive but still very functional then go with solid blocks.
Split Face Blocks or CMU’s
Split face blocks or CMU’s (Concrete Masonry Units) are a cheaper alternative to standard concrete block. They’re also lighter and easier to install than traditional blocks, which makes them a popular choice among homeowners who want to save time and money.
- Split Face Blocks are Cheaper Than Standard Concrete Blocks
Split face blocks have a hollow core that makes them much lighter than their solid counterparts, which makes them easier to transport and less expensive to produce. This means they cost less per square foot than regular concrete blocks when you buy them from the store or from your building contractor if you’re having someone else build your wall for you.
- Split Face Blocks Are Easier To Install Than Regular Concrete Blocks
Because split face blocks don’t weigh as much as regular concrete bricks, they’re easier for one person alone or several people together on the same team working at once using power tools like jackhammers and drills with different bits attached instead of just hammers alone because those would be too heavy.
Ground Face Blocks or CMU’s
Ground Face Blocks or CMU’s are used in retaining walls, walkways, patios, driveways, and many other permanent structures. They are generally created from concrete that contains a mixture of coarse aggregates and fine aggregates. The coarse aggregates can be made up of crushed stone, gravel or sand with an average size of 10mm or larger. The fine aggregate is usually recycled glass or stone dust with a particle size range between 3mm and 6mm. Ground Face Blocks can also include other materials like limestone chippings mixed with cement to give it more strength as well as raise its compressive strength level.
CMU’s are very versatile for various applications such as:
Lightweight Concrete Blocks or CMU’s
- Lightweight concrete blocks or CMU’s are made of a high percentage (70%-80%) of recycled materials. They are also more expensive than regular concrete blocks, but not as strong or durable.
- Lightweight concrete block walls can last for decades if properly constructed and maintained. But it isn’t as durable as regular concrete block walls because it has less cement in them and the sand used to make them is not as hard as the sand used for regular concrete blocks.
Other Considerations When Building A Concrete Block Wall Or Fence
When estimating the cost of a concrete block wall or fence, you should consider:
- The cost of labor. How much will it cost to have the concrete blocks placed in your yard? If you want to build it yourself, how much time are you willing to spend mixing cement and building the formwork?
- The cost of blocks. Concrete block walls come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Most people choose between hardcast or hollow concrete blocks because they’re easier to handle on their own but more expensive than soft cast (also known as “cinder blocks”). However, they’re both still more affordable than other materials like brick—which usually starts around $2 per square foot—and can make for a nice aesthetic addition to any space.
- Cement has been used since ancient times because it’s easy to work with and cheap compared with other types such as granite or marble which will run into thousands per square foot if used correctly due mainly due its high-density material properties so don’t forget about this important part when building something like this.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on building a concrete block wall, you need to consider all of the factors that go into such a project. These include the cost of materials and labor, as well as any additional items that might need to be purchased for this type of project. For example, if you’re looking for someone who can help with installing your cinder block wall foundation or fence posts then check out our list of pros listed above.
