How Much Does a Concrete House Cost?

Average Concrete House Costs

Concrete House Cost per Square Foot

The cost of concrete homes is between $100 and $250 per square foot. With the rise of wood-building material prices, concrete costs about the same as a stick-built home, only about $5 more per square foot.

Cost to Build Concrete Houses

A concrete house costs $160 per square foot on average to build. Like any home construction project, many components factor into the final price. While concrete homes have some cost variances compared to traditional homes, they're still somewhat similar in price. Talk to a home builder near you to compare prices and get an estimate.

Is a Concrete House Less Expensive Than Wood?

Constructing a concrete house usually costs 5% to 10% more than a wood-framed house. But that gap is closing with rising wood and material prices outpacing the increase in concrete prices. Even at a higher price, concrete has many advantages over wood, including:

• Fire-resistant: Concrete and steel don’t burn. You may even save up to 25% on your insurance because of it.

• Earthquake-resistant: It’s sturdier than most wood-framed homes but less flexible.

• Sound-dampening: It takes outside noises to a minimum compared to wood.

• Energy-efficient: You’ll save anywhere from $250–$650 per year on HVAC bills, depending on the insulation level.

Concrete Homes Cost by Type

While the average 2,200-square-foot concrete home costs between $240,000 and $445,000, prices vary based on the construction type.

Concrete Block House Cost

A concrete block house ranges from $180 to $250 per square foot. Sometimes referred to as "cinder blocks," this house type involves layering premade blocks and filling in gaps with mortar. Cinder block walls cost more than poured concrete since stacking blocks is more labor-intensive.

Poured Concrete House Cost

A poured concrete house costs around $120 to $180 per square foot. While the average house costs between $165,000 and $485,000, poured concrete costs slightly more than building with traditional wood framing.

Modern Concrete Homes Cost

Like a traditional concrete home, modern concrete homes typically range from $120 to $250 per square foot. However, you could lower the costs based on the type of design you opt for, specifically when it comes to the roof.

While a concrete tile roof costs between $10 and $20 per square foot, pouring a flat roof starts at $4 to $6 per square foot. Flat poured roofs have grown in popularity as a modern home trend. You may also choose to blend wood and steel for cladding. 

Prefab or Precast Concrete Home Prices

Precast or prefab concrete homes cost around $120 to $200 per square foot. Building with precast panels is about 23% less expensive than working with poured concrete. Instead of pouring on-site, panels are constructed ahead of time and shipped to your location. It's often faster and requires less on-site labor. 

Cement House Cost

Cement is only one ingredient in concrete, so you can’t build a house with cement alone since it’s just a binder. But if you’re talking about cement as part of concrete, this costs around $130 to $200 per square foot.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) House Cost

An ICF house costs between $240,000 and $445,000 for 2,200 square feet, or between $130 and $200 per square foot. Unless you're living in a warmer climate, many home builders use ICF for all concrete house building since it’s made from rigid foam insulation, which stays in place after pouring and insulating the walls.

Some people call ICF homes "foam concrete homes" because the forms are made from polystyrene. In its expanded state, polystyrene is like Styrofoam.

ICF Construction Cost

ICF construction costs at least $3 more per square foot than traditional wood construction but could cost upwards of $10 per square foot or more. Construction prices vary depending on the following factors:

• Location: If there aren’t many ICF contractors near you, it’ll cost more for them to travel to you.

• Project complexity: Custom homes and two-story projects may drastically increase the pricing.

• Material: Different concrete mixes have different prices. For example, fly ash mixes cost less than cement mixes.

ICF Foundation and Walls Cost

Even if you only want to pour a basement with ICF, it still insulates better and goes up faster than traditional methods. ICF foundation costs around $10 to $30 per square foot. You can expect similar prices for the cost to build a wall. Because the forms stay in place, ICF takes less time to install and, as such, usually costs less than poured concrete.

Concrete House Cost Breakdown

Concrete house costs include more than just the forms and the concrete. You'll need to decide on HVAC systems, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, and the pros to design the space of your dreams. Consider the following elements:

• Home wiring costs: $20,000–$30,000 

• Plumbing installation costs: $7,000–$15,000

• Window installation costs: $3,000–$10,000

• Roof installation costs: $5,500–$12,000 for asphalt shingles

• Structural engineer fees: $350–$750 

• Landscaping costs: $3,000–$10,000 

• HVAC costs: $5,000–$10,000

Concrete House Finishing Costs

Besides the guts of the home, you’ll also need to put on the finishing touches before moving in. You’ll want to include some of the following:

• Hardwood flooring costs: $2,500–$10,000 

• Trim costs: $600–$3,000

• Interior painting prices: $1,000–$3,000

• Siding costs: $5,000–$15,000

DIY Building a Concrete House vs. Hiring a Pro

You almost certainly want to hire a pro to build a concrete house, even if you opt for cinder block construction instead of poured or ICF. It's essential to ensure your walls and foundation are as perfectly aligned and structurally sound as possible. Otherwise, the money you save from a DIY project will cost you expensive repairs. A professional installation could mean you won’t have to worry about these expenses.