How much does it cost to build an ICF or concrete house?
Ashburn, VA

How much does it cost to build an ICF or concrete house?

Ashburn, VA

How much does it cost to build an ICF or concrete house?

$110 – $250cost per square foot
$280,000 – $430,000average cost to build (2,000 SF)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$110 – $250 cost per square foot

$280,000 – $430,000 average cost to build (2,000 SF)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Concrete house cost

A concrete house costs $110 to $250 per square foot, depending on the size, construction method, and finishes. The average cost to build a concrete house is $280,000 to $430,000.

  • ICF home construction costs $120 to $230 per square foot.

  • A concrete or cinder block house costs $190 to $250 per square foot.

  • A prefab or poured concrete home costs $110 to $180 per square foot.

Concrete house cost by size - chart
Concrete house cost by size - chart
Concrete house cost
Home size (square feet) Average cost
800 $88,000 – $200,000
1,000 $110,000 – $250,000
1,200 $132,000 – $300,000
1,500 $165,000 – $375,000
2,000 $220,000 – $500,000
2,500 $275,000 – $625,000
3,000 $330,000 – $750,000
3,500 $385,000 – $875,000

*Total cost installed.

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Average cost to build a concrete house

The following table shows the average cost to build a 2,000-square-foot concrete house:

Average cost to build a concrete house - chart
Average cost to build a concrete house - chart
Average cost to build a concrete house
National average cost $350,000
Minimum cost $220,000
Maximum cost $500,000
Average cost range $280,000 to $430,000

* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

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Concrete homes cost by type

A 2,000-square-foot modern concrete house costs $220,000 to $500,000, depending on the construction method and finishes. Concrete home walls are made of precast forms or concrete mix poured onsite to form a monolithic envelope.

Concrete house cost per square foot - chart
Concrete house cost per square foot - chart
Concrete homes cost by type
Concrete type Cost per square foot Average total cost*
Poured concrete $110 – $160 $220,000 – $320,000
Precast concrete $120 – $180 $240,000 – $360,000
Insulated concrete forms (ICF) $120 – $230 $240,000 – $460,000
Concrete cinder block $190 – $250 $380,000 – $500,000

*For a 2,000-square-foot size home with standard asphalt roofing & drywall interior.

Concrete or cinder block house cost

Building a cinder block house costs $190 to $250 per square foot. A concrete block house costs $380,000 to $500,000 on average. Builders make concrete block houses from reinforced cinder blocks stacked onsite by skilled contractors.

Poured concrete house cost

A poured concrete house costs $220,000 to $320,000 on average or $110 to $160 per square foot of floor space. The cost of poured concrete foundation walls alone is $10 to $25 per square foot of floor area.

Small concrete home
Small concrete home

Prefab or precast concrete homes cost

Building a prefab or precast concrete home costs $120 to $180 per square foot of floor area. A precast concrete house costs $240,000 to $360,000 on average to build. Factory-built concrete panels install faster than poured-concrete walls but require crane installation.

Spider Tie concrete house price

A Spider Tie concrete house costs $115 to $165 per square foot or $230,000 to $330,000 on average. The Spider Tie building system is concrete poured into reusable plywood forms bound with plastic ties and screws.

Insulated concrete forms (ICF) house cost

An ICF house costs $120 to $230 per square foot of floor area. The average cost of ICF construction is $240,000 to $460,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are concrete walls cast in place between two insulation layers.

ICF house construction cost
Metric Total cost installed
Per square foot of home’s total floor space $120 – $230
Per square foot of wall surface $10 – $25
Per linear foot* $80 – $250

*8’ to 10’ tall walls without doors or windows.

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ICF cost per square foot

ICF house construction costs $120 to $230 per square foot of total floor area, depending on the location, dimensions, materials, and design.

ICF cost per square foot
Square feet Average cost
1,000 $120,000 – $230,000
1,500 $180,000 – $345,000
2,000 $240,000 – $460,000
3,000 $360,000 – $690,000

*Total installed cost with 8’ to 10’ tall walls on a 1-story home.

ICF cost per linear foot

Building an ICF wall costs $80 to $250 per linear foot for 8’ to 10’ tall walls. Prices vary according to the wall thickness and insulation type. Housebuilders typically charge per square foot.

ICF construction cost per linear foot
Length (linear feet) Average cost
300 $24,000 – $75,000
400 $32,000 – $100,000
500 $40,000 – $125,000

*Total installed prices for standard 8’ to 10’ tall walls.

ICF foundation and walls cost

Building an ICF foundation costs $10 to $25 per square foot of wall surface. ICF basement-foundation wall construction takes 1 to 2 days. While ICF material costs are higher than traditional poured-concrete walls, ICF labor is typically cheaper.

ICF foundation vs. traditional concrete cost
Foundation type Average cost per square foot
ICF foundation walls $10 – $25
Poured concrete basement walls $15 – $35
Poured concrete slab foundation cost $5 – $8

*Total installed cost per square foot of surface area.

Good to know: A traditional poured concrete foundation costs $5 to $35 per square foot.

ICF construction cost

Standard ICF construction costs $120 to $230 per square foot of floor space. The cost to build an ICF concrete house is $20 to $75 more per square foot than traditional wooden stick-built homes.

Other cost factors include:

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  • Block prices – ICF block prices are $25 to $40 per block of 16”x48” in size. ICF blocks cost $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot for materials only.

  • Complexity – Curved walls and custom designs increase labor and material costs.

  • Material – Different types of concrete mix and finishes have variable prices.

  • Site conditions – Labor costs rise for limited-access sites and working on slopes.

Concrete house cost calculator & breakdown

Additional cost factors for building a concrete house include various site preparations and construction expenses.

Essential construction costs include:

Modern concrete house with garage
Modern concrete house with garage

Concrete house exterior finishes

Finishing the concrete exterior with siding costs $3 to $18 per square foot on average, depending on the material. Exterior painting costs $1 to $4 per square foot.

Concrete house design additions

Optional additions to a new concrete home include:

Concrete vs. wood house cost

The average cost to build a house is $100 to $155 per square foot for a wood-framed home or $110 to $250 per square foot for an ICF or concrete home. Concrete home construction costs 10% to 60% more than stick-built homes due to higher labor costs.

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Alternatively, building a modular home costs $80 to $160 per square foot on average.

Concrete vs. wood house cost
Material Cost per square foot
Wood $100 – $155
Concrete $110 – $250

*Total cost installed.

Advantages and disadvantages of concrete houses

The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of a concrete house:

Pros and cons of concrete houses
Pros Cons
  • Resistant to fire, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes
  • Resists rotting, rusting, & pests
  • Highly soundproof
  • Doesn’t attract mildew and is termite-resistant
  • Low maintenance
  • Improves acoustics
  • Withstands extreme temperatures
  • Higher energy-efficiency and insulates better than wood-frame homes for lower utility bills
  • ICF construction provides a 20% to 25% savings in annual heating and cooling costs
  • Made from recycled materials
  • Up to 25% cheaper homeowners insurance
  • May qualify for an Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM)
  • Slower to build
  • Requires paint, sealant, or veneer finish
  • Concrete prices fluctuate according to the region
  • Repairs of pipes & wires cost more due to limited access

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Hiring a concrete house contractor

DIY building any house is illegal in most states without a construction contractor’s license and business license. Before hiring a home builder near you:

Questions to ask

  • Which type of concrete homes do you specialize in?

  • What are wall-finish options?

  • Can I see photos of concrete homes you’ve built and a references list?

  • How long have you been building concrete homes?

  • Can we discuss changes to the design before construction?

  • Do you work with a foundation engineer to assess my soil conditions?

  • How do you prevent moisture exchange between the soil and foundation?

  • Will you arrange grading before building to promote rainwater drainage?

  • What are my foundation and roofing options?

  • How can I contact the project supervisor, and will they pull permits?

  • What’s your expected timeline to complete this project?

  • How many crew members will be onsite?

  • What’s your policy for managing unexpected delays?

  • When will I get updates to discuss the project?

  • Did you include all material and labor fees in the estimate?

  • What incidental costs often apply?

  • Will you charge extra for site cleanup after construction?

  • What does your warranty include?

  • Will a home inspector check the property before you finish building?