Building a concrete house is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to build a home on land that’s in a floodplain or even just an area that gets regular flooding. The biggest advantage of building with concrete is that it’s a relatively inexpensive material to use—you can get a whole house built for less than half the price of traditional building methods like wood or stone. You won’t have to worry about depleting resources such as wood, which can be harmful to the environment if you’re not careful about how you use it.
Another great thing about building with concrete is that it offers protection against natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. The material itself is very strong and sturdy, so as long as you follow some basic construction guidelines, your roof won’t collapse during an earthquake or hurricane.
If you’re considering building a concrete house, there’s no need to panic. The process is straightforward and efficient, but it does require careful planning in order to maximize your budget. Planning ahead will ensure that your home is completed on time and within budget, with the right materials and design details included. Here’s a breakdown of how much concrete houses cost:
Material Cost For The Concrete
It is important to know that building a concrete house is not just about pouring concrete in the foundation. It also involves other materials such as:
- Concrete (cement, sand, gravel and water)
- Reinforced steel mesh (rebar)
- Wire mesh for reinforcing concrete walls.
Labor Cost
Labor is one of the biggest costs associated with building a concrete house. When considering your labor costs, keep in mind that there are many other factors that contribute to this expense. The size of your home and its complexity will have a direct impact on how much it will cost to build. For example, if you’re building a simple ranch-style home instead of an octagonal mansion with stone columns and gables, then you won’t need as much labor to complete it.$
Formwork
Formwork is the structure that holds concrete in place while it cures. It can be made of wood or steel, but steel formwork is more expensive than wood formwork. Formwork also serves another purpose: it protects the surface from moisture and erosion during construction. Steel has a higher durability than wood, so it may last longer and protect your home better from damage by weather conditions like rain or snow.
Plumbing
Plumbing is another large expense. The cost of plumbing materials varies widely depending on your area, but expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 per finished room. Labor costs are higher than they are for other parts of the house because plumbers need more training than masons or carpenters. Plumbing fixtures also add to your total bill; toilets alone can cost several hundred dollars each.
Electrical work
Electrical work is a major part of building a concrete house. Electrical costs include an electrician’s fees, materials costs, and insulation. Cables and conduit are used to ensure that there is no short circuit in the electrical system. Lighting must be installed in different parts of the house such as lights above doors, hallways to bedrooms, and lights in bathrooms. Fuse box is also required at various places within the house to control circuits when they overload with power consumption or when there is an overload due to faulty appliances. Circuit breakers and switches are also needed for safety reasons so that they can be turned off during accidents such as fires or floods etcetera
Insulation
Insulation is a great way to save energy and money. It keeps the heat in during the winter and out during the summer, which means you’ll be able to use your heater less often. Not only that, but insulation is a good investment for your house: it’s going to last for years and years, meaning you’ll make back its cost in savings on your energy bills alone.
There are many kinds of insulation: fiberglass batting, blown-in cellulose (made from recycled paper), or even foam board that can be installed inside walls. The amount of insulation needed depends on where you live—the colder it gets outside, the more insulation you should use.
Concrete Slab Finish
One of the most important parts of your concrete house construction is the finish on your slab. It should never be done by a homeowner, as it’s too easy to make a mistake and cause expensive damage. Instead, hire a professional who specializes in this type of work, and have them do it before pouring any concrete.
The finish you choose depends on what style you want for your home; there are many different types from which to choose. For example, if you want something traditional with more texture than smoothness, then pebblecrete would be an appropriate choice for you.
Concrete House Framing Costs
Framing a concrete house is much more involved than the framing of a traditional home. This is because concrete weighs over 1,000 pounds per cubic yard, which means that it’s quite heavy and requires special equipment to lift and place. If you don’t have access to this equipment or are uncomfortable using it yourself, your best bet is to hire someone who does have access. While this might be more expensive upfront than doing it yourself (since you’ll have to pay for labor), it will save time and energy in the long run.
The cost of framing a home depends on many factors including:
- The size of your house
- Your location
- Whether or not you’re building from scratch or adding onto an existing structure
Exterior Finishing Costs
Concrete is a durable material that will last for years, making it a great option for exterior house slabs. Because concrete is fireproof, mold resistant and can be made to look like any other material (such as wood), it’s a great choice for your home’s exterior. Not only does this make your property more valuable but it also adds security against intruders.
It’s important to note that while concrete can be stained or painted, it doesn’t hold paint well over time and requires special cleaners when maintaining its appearance. If you’re planning on living in an area with high humidity or you want to stain your slab there are some things worth considering: Concrete tends to become less dense than other materials when exposed moisture so consider reinforcing the slab before pouring if possible; Lime mortars are more porous than cement mortars therefore they absorb more moisture which causes them to deteriorate faster – they should only be used on dry climates where dew points remain less than 50 degrees F.; Rust stains occur when iron oxide reacts with water molecules from rain or sprinklers — try using an anti-rust coating before painting overtop
Interior Finishing Costs
Interior finishing costs can vary greatly depending on the design of your house, but generally speaking, you can expect to spend around $2 per square foot for interior finishes. This includes flooring, walls (both drywall and paint), ceilings, windows and doors.
After calculating the overall costs you can decide if concrete is the right choice for you.
Concrete houses are a great investment for people who want to live in a home that requires minimal maintenance. They are also good choices for people who live in areas with high seismic activity, high winds, and high heat or humidity. Concrete will not crack or mold like wood or drywall and it is fireproof. It has also been proven to be strong enough to withstand an earthquake or hurricane force winds without breaking apart.
Conclusion
The cost of building a concrete house can vary greatly depending on the size and location. On average, you will spend between $133,000 – $136,000 for all costs associated with building a concrete house. However, if you want to build a custom home then this number can increase significantly as there is more customization involved in every aspect of construction.
