Building a cinder block wall costs an average of $3,200, but you could pay anywhere from $600 up to $20,000, depending on the size and location of the wall.
The cost to build a cinder block wall is $3,200 on average, or about $1 to $3 per block, making it an affordable option for various building needs. You’ll have to pay for materials, tools, labor, and more. There’s a big cost difference between a DIY and professional installation, which you’ll want to consider as you budget for a cinder block wall project. In exchange for these costs, a cinder block wall provides privacy, soundproofing, and durability.
There are many different types of cinder blocks–and price ranges–to keep in mind.
| Cinder Block Type | Average Cost per Block |
|---|---|
| Standard CMU | $1.25–$4 |
| Decorative | $2–$5 |
| Specialty | $1–$3 |
Standard Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) cinder blocks cost $1.25 to $2.50 per block, while larger CMU blocks are $2 to $4 per block.
Standard blocks are 8”x8”x16” while larger blocks are 12”x8”x16”.
Decorative cinder blocks cost $2 to $5 per block. Some decorative cinder block types include split-faced blocks, breeze blocks, and concrete slump blocks.
Split-faced blocks have a lot of texture, which lends to a stony look. Breeze blocks are square with cutout geometric designs. Concrete slump blocks are aptly named for their slumped appearance. These blocks are reminiscent of adobe brick.
Specialty cinder blocks range between $1 to $3 per block. These include header blocks for roofs, L-corner blocks for building square corners, and bond beams for reinforcement.
New cinder block wall costs depend on blocks, mortar, and professional or DIY installation.
| Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Materials | $10–$30 per square foot |
| Pallet | $115–$225 |
| Delivery | $50–$200 |
| Labor | $34–$100 per hour |
| Permits | $50–$500 |
| Customizations | Up to $3 per block |
| Reinforcements | $1–$5.25 per square foot |
| Removal of old walls | $5–$25 per linear foot |
| Finishing | $1.50–$10 per square foot |
| Waterproofing | $2–$10 per square foot |
Cinder block walls cost about $3 to $6 per square foot for the materials, including the blocks themselves and mortar. A professionally installed 8-by-15-foot cinder block wall may cost $1,200 to $3,600, while paying just for materials for a DIY project may cost around $360 to $720.
If you want to source your blocks in bulk to construct a wall, consider buying a pallet for about $115 to $225. Pallets hold about 80 cinder blocks each. There may be additional fees to buy a pallet, including delivery for $50 to $200, and a refundable deposit on the pallet for about $20.
Whether you want to install the walls yourself or you plan to work with a mason, someone will need to deliver all those heavy cinder blocks to the project site. There may be additional charges if the site is difficult to access. Typically, delivering the blocks will cost $50 to $200.
You can expect labor costs to run between $10 and $17 per square foot if you hire a local fencing company to build your wall. This equates to $34 to $100 per hour to build a cinder block wall. Some contractors may charge a minimum rate of $200 to $400 to cover the first two to three hours of work. Each mason will be able to lay upward of 90 to 120 blocks in a day.
Permits for cinder block walls range from around $50 to $500. Building walls can be a big project, and your municipality will likely require permits, especially for load-bearing walls.
Cinder blocks cost about $1 to $3 each, but if you want to customize the blocks, the cost could be higher. Capstones may cost an extra $0.95, while split-face blocks made to resemble natural stone may cost on the higher end of the average range at $2.30 to $3 per block.
Reinforcements for load-bearing cinder block walls cost $1 to $5.25 per square foot. Building a fence around your garden likely won’t require reinforcement, but walls that will bear any weight need to be reinforced. That means they’ll either need rebar or to be filled with concrete.
Don’t start knocking out old walls just yet. You may need to hire a structural engineer, especially if you are removing older load-bearing walls. For professional removal, budget $5 to $20 per linear foot.
Finishing cinder block walls costs about $1.50 to $10 per square foot. If you want the cinder block walls to stand up to cracking, weathering, and deterioration, you’ll want to seal them for better protection.
Applying waterproofing sealant costs $2 to $10 per square foot. This is an important step because cinder block walls are porous. Plus, the hollow cores can easily fill with rainwater. By using waterproofing sealant, you can help increase your blocks’ lifespan and avoid water damage.
Cinder blocks are incredibly versatile and can be used for many different types of walls, whether you want to create a function retaining wall or add a touch of personality to your surroundings.
| Wall Type | Average Cost | Total Cost for a 100-Square-Foot Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | $60–$200 per linear foot | $600–$2,000 |
| Garage or shed | $8–$40 per square foot | $800–$4,000 |
| Foundation or basement | $10–$20 per square foot | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Fence | $10–$30 per square foot | $1,000–$3,000 |
Cinder block retaining walls cost about $60 to $200 per linear foot. These walls need to withstand the weight of soil they are retaining. The higher cost to build a cinder block wall that is used as a retaining wall is due to excavation and reinforcements.
For garage or shed walls, you’ll spend about $8 to $40 per square foot. Costs will increase if you plan to add insulation, electricity, and heating to the garage or shed.
Foundations and basement walls need to have strong reinforcements to support the weight of the house. Cinder block foundations or basement walls cost about $10 to $20 per square foot.
A cinder block fence will cost about $10 to $30 per square foot, including the cost of professional installation.
| Cinder Blocks | Concrete Blocks |
|---|---|
| Made from concrete and coal cinders | Made from concrete, steel, and wood |
| Hollow in the center | Solid all the way through |
| Ideal for smaller projects | More durable for heavy-duty purposes |
Although cinder and concrete blocks are commonly thought to be the same, a few important characteristics differentiate the two. Cinder blocks are made from a mix of concrete and coal cinders and are hollow in the center, making them lighter. Concrete blocks are solid all the way through, contain steel and wood in addition to concrete, and are more durable and long-lasting.
Cinder blocks are ideal for smaller projects like building a garden wall, while you can use concrete blocks for much more heavy-duty purposes like constructing the base of a house. Both options are similar in cost, around $1 to $3 per block. On the flipside, you’ll pay more for bricks than concrete blocks or cinder blocks.
While cinder block and concrete block wall costs are roughly the same at about $1,300 on average, the price can shift a lot depending on the type of concrete used. For example, retaining walls—made from poured concrete—can cost up to $5,200 for just one wall. Similarly, stamped concrete walls cost $4,200 on average per wall because of the special techniques used to create unique patterns.
You can save up to $100 per hour to install cinder block walls yourself, and you’ll spend about $360 to $720 for materials. Depending on the size of the walls, you can expect to spend about five to seven days on this project.
Building cinder block walls is a suitable DIY project, so long as the walls aren’t load-bearing. For example, building a cinder block storm shelter requires the trained hand of an expert to provide protection from the elements. If you need the walls to hold any amount of weight you should hire a local masonry contractor to properly install rebar or other reinforcements. Make sure to ask the mason questions about the project, like cost estimates and material sourcing, as well as how they work.
Some ways to save on building a cinder block wall include:
DIY the wall to save on labor costs.
Opt for basic cinder blocks if customization isn’t a top priority.
Consider picking up your cinder blocks or palettes rather than having them delivered.
Order cinder blocks in bulk.
Depending on your building project and budget, some materials might be better suitable than cinder blocks. Here are common alternatives:
Bricks: Bricks generally cost more per unit compared to cinder blocks, but they’re excellent for adding a classic and elegant look to buildings, particularly for facades, pathways, and decorative walls.
Concrete Panels: Concrete panels can be more expensive than cinder blocks. They’re ideal for large-scale projects that require quick installation, like commercial buildings.
Stone Veneer: While stone veneer creates a luxurious appearance on exterior walls, adding curb appeal to homes, it’s likely going to be much more expensive than cinder blocks.
Rammed Earth Construction: This type of construction involves compacting a mixture of earth, sand, gravel, and stabilizers into solid walls. It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly option.
Polystyrene Concrete Blocks: Polystyrene concrete combines concrete and foam insulation for energy-efficient walls. These blocks typically cost more than cinder blocks, but they have better insulation properties.
Hempcrete: A composite material made from hemp waste and sawdust, hempcrete is a sustainable alternative to cinder blocks. While more expensive, it’s ideal for eco-friendly homes, providing reduced environmental impact and improved indoor air quality.
Ferrock: Another sustainable alternative, ferrock is made from recycled materials like steel dust and ground silica glass. Its price is comparable or slightly higher than cinder blocks.
With proper installation and sealing, both poured concrete and cinder block walls can be durable options for your yard or home. Poured concrete walls do offer more durability and strength, but cinder block walls are less expensive to build and DIY. A concrete wall costs an average of $6,500.
It’s important to consider the project at hand before selecting cinder blocks for the walls you want to build. While cinder blocks are lighter in weight and are more cost-effective, they may not be as durable as concrete blocks or poured concrete if you want a long-lasting wall or load-bearing wall.
The number of cinder blocks needed to build a house depends on the wall height, thickness, and structural requirements. As a rough estimate, a single-story house with 8-foot walls would need about 1,800 to 2,200 standard cinder blocks. A two-story house with the same dimensions would need roughly double that amount, or around 3,600 to 4,400 cinder blocks.
