Concrete Block Central - Product/Wall Cost Guide

Wall Cost Factors

For far too many years this question has been asked, and the answer has served as a basis for selecting masonry walls. Whether being answered by a mason contractor or material supplier, the "old standard" per thousand price is no longer appropriate. Certainly, as the rest of the construction industry has found, it is appropriate to think of masonry walls in terms of COST PER SQUARE FOOT.

In this day of "industrialized systems,’’ "packaged systems," "panelized systems," and a maze of other "wonder methods" of construction, those who would design or build are being fed a never-ending supply of claims and counterclaims that result in confusion, or many questions at best.

Today’s designer is faced with an increasingly more difficult job of evaluating and sifting through these "wonder systems" and rightfully adopting or utilizing those with merit. The proficiency of the evaluator is based upon his ability to properly compare what is available. This being completed, the final selection becomes rather academic.

There are three basic factors necessary to achieve successful construction; aesthetics, engineering, and economics. We recognize the professional approach to aesthetics by the architect, and engineering as a well-documented science in most instances; however, economics remain rather difficult and often frustrating to evaluate.

Cost figures are in dollars per square foot and are prepared for a wide range of architectural projects. Costs can and will vary depending on the difficulty of the project or if prevailing wages are in effect. Guidelines used in compiling these costs are:

An average amount of built-in items, concealed piping, saw cuts, pilasters, bullnose corners, embedding of plates, bolts, etc.
An average combination of interior and exterior masonry
Colored masonry
Moisture repellent in mortar for CMU veneers.

The square foot prices include material costs, labor costs, equipment, taxes, overhead, and a mason contractor's profit.