OBJECTIVE: understand how to accurately get a cost estimate for a simple wall project
Today we are going over the difference between a block and concrete wall cost estimate. Both walls will have these same variables:
- excavation dimensions and cost are the same
- footing: 12′ x 24′ with 2 #4’s through it and verts at 24 on center
- The concrete within the blocks and grout will cost the same
- labor varies among concrete and masonry contractors
Concrete Wall Example: A wall with dimensions at 200′ long by 48′ high and 8″ thick.
First step: organize your information of materials needed: the item, quantity, cost per unit, and total
- .79 cy’s of concrete at $210 per unit totaling $166.00.
- 2 pieces of 3/4″ Ply at $45 per unit totaling $90.00.
- 10 pieces of 2×4’s at $7.00 per unit totaling $70.00.
- 8 snap ties at $0.80 per unit totaling $6.40.
Second step: take your total amount and divide by total square footage
$332.40 / 32 = $10.38 per square foot
Concrete Block Example: dimensions of a single block is 8″ x 16″. The wall dimensions are 4′ H x 8′ L
Materials needed:
- 48 blocks at $3.40 per unit totaling $163.2
- .5 cy’s Grout at $220.00 per unit totaling $110.00
- 2 bags of Mortar at $10.00 per unit totaling $20.00
Calculate square footage cost:
$293.20 / 32 = $9.16 per square foot
