How Much Does a Cinder Block Wall Cost? [2025 Data]

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.

Cinder Block Cost by Type 

There are many different types of cinder blocks–and price ranges–to keep in mind.  

Standard CMU Cinder Blocks

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

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

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.

Cinder Block Wall Cost Factors 

New cinder block wall costs depend on blocks, mortar, and professional or DIY installation.

Materials

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.

Pallet

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.

Delivery

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.

Labor 

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

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.

Wall Customizations

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

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. 

Removal of Old Walls or Material

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 

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.

Waterproofing 

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 Block Wall Cost by Type

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.

Retaining Wall

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.

Garage or Shed

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.

Foundation or Basement

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.

Cinder Block Fence Costs

A cinder block fence will cost about $10 to $30 per square foot, including the cost of professional installation.

Cinder Blocks vs. Concrete Blocks

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.

How to Save Money on a Cinder Block Wall

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. 

Alternative Materials to Cinder Blocks

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.

Why You Should Hire a Cinder Block Wall Installation Pro

You can save up to $100 per hour by installing cinder block walls yourself, and you’ll spend $360 to $720 on materials. Depending on the size of the walls, you can expect to spend five to seven days on this project.

However, if you need the walls to hold any amount of weight, you should hire a local masonry contractor to install rebar or other reinforcements properly. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a cinder block wall installation pro

Installing a cinder block wall is a complex and time-consuming process. Here’s why it’s best to hire a pro:

• Professionals have the specialized tools and equipment needed to precisely place blocks and apply mortar.

• Experienced pros know how to prevent cracking, bowing, and settling issues.

• DIY installation can lead to uneven walls, poor alignment, and structural failure.

• Experts know how to complete the job safely and efficiently, while ensuring compliance with local building codes and regulations.

• A professionally installed cinder block wall improves the durability, curb appeal, and value of your property.

If you want to DIY a cinder block wall installation

If you want to assist your pro, consider helping out with smaller tasks like:

• Clearing outdoor furniture, debris, and plants from the work area

• Mix mortar or cement under your pro’s guidance

• Measuring or marking wall lines or reference points

• Cleaning excess mortar from the wall

• Painting or sealing the wall after installation is complete

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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