Are concrete houses cheaper to build?

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.

homeadvisor.com - How Much Does a Concrete House Cost to Build in 2022? - HomeAdvisor

What is the cheapest type of house to build?

Ranch Homes Ranch Homes A home with a simple and concise layout is the cheapest type of house to build. Ranch homes are typically single-story...

Last updated Aug 29, 2021

Does a metal workshop add value to your home?

Other factors like the age and condition of the property still exist, but the square footage has the highest impact on price. Adding a metal garage...

Last updated Jul 17, 2018

Promotion

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:

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:

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.