How much do split-face blocks cost?
How much do split-face blocks cost?
$3 – $5 cost per block (8”x8”x16”)
$15 – $40 average cost per square foot (installed)
$1,800 – $7,000 average cost to build a 10’ to 50’-long wall
Split-face block prices
Split-face blocks cost $15 to $40 per square foot installed for a retaining wall, foundation, or siding. A 25’-long split-face block wall costs $1,800 to $7,000.
Split-face block material prices are $3 to $5 per 8”x8”x16” concrete block or $2.50 to $4.00 per 8”x8”x8” half cinder unit (CMU). CMU block delivery costs $60 to $200.
| Linear feet | 4’ tall | 6’ tall | 8’ tall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $700 – $1,400 | $1,100 – $2,100 | $1,450 – $2,800 |
| 15’ | $1,100 – $2,100 | $1,600 – $3,150 | $2,150 – $4,200 |
| 25’ | $1,800 – $3,500 | $2,700 – $5,250 | $3,600 – $7,000 |
| 50’ | $3,600 – $7,000 | $5,400 – $10,500 | $7,200 – $14,000 |
| 100’ | $7,200 – $14,000 | $10,800 – $21,000 | $14,400 – $28,000 |
| 150’ | $10,800 – $21,000 | $16,200 – $31,500 | $21,600 – $42,000 |
| 200’ | $14,400 – $28,000 | $21,600 – $42,000 | $28,800 – $56,000 |
*Total cost to install. Includes foundation, concrete reinforcement, and rebar.
Split-face concrete blocks have one or more textured sides exposing the inner aggregates to mimic natural stone.
Project prices depend on the design and finishing options.
Split-face blocks are highly porous and need sealing or ventilation outlets.
Average cost to build a split-face concrete block wall
The following table shows the average cost to build a 10' to 50' long split-face block wall:
| National average cost | $3,500 |
| Minimum cost | $700 |
| Maximum cost | $14,000 |
| Average cost range | $1,800 to $7,000 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Split-face CMU cinder block prices
A split-face cinder block costs $1.50 to $7.00 each, depending on the size, color, manufacturer, and number of split sides.
Average 8”x8”x16” split-face block prices are $3 to $5 per block or $2.50 to $4.00 per 8”x8”x8” half-cinder unit.
| Size (depth x height x length) | Price per block |
|---|---|
| 4”x8”x16” | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| 6”x8”x16” | $2.75 – $4.50 |
| 8”x8”x16” | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| 10”x8”x16” | $3.25 – $6.00 |
| 12”x8”x16” | $3.50 – $7.00 |
| 8”x8”x8” | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| 4”x8”x16” (solid) | $1.50 – $3.00 |
*Material prices only for orders with on-site collection.
Factors affecting the block price include:
Delivery – Delivery costs $60 to $200 on average, depending on the quantity and building location. Refundable pallet deposits are $15 to $35 per pallet.
Textures – Standard blocks come with one split side. The cost increases with more split sides for corners or double side walls.
Colors – Common colored aggregates are grey and tan. A wide variety of colors exists at higher prices. Unique color matching requires custom orders.
Types – Bond beams, corners, open ends, and solid blocks come at different price points, depending on the purpose and block supplier.
Weight capacity – Structural load-bearing vs. non-structural units are available. Structural units must be ASTM compliant for local building codes.
Ground-face block prices
Ground-face block prices are $6.50 to $9.00 per 8”x8”x16” block. Ground-face blocks are concrete with a semi-polished finish that is smoother than a split face. Unlike split-face blocks, ground-face blocks often have a silicone or acrylic coating to seal them.
Split-face block vs. concrete block cost
Split-face block prices are $3 to $5 per block and have rough-cut sides. Standard concrete cinder blocks cost $1.25 to $2.50 per block. These blocks have smooth sides but require additional finishing.
| Type | Average cost per block |
|---|---|
| Split-face block | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| Regular concrete block | $1.25 – $2.50 |
*Material prices only. Based on an 8”x8”x16” block size.
Split-face veneer prices
Split-face veneer prices are $4 to $22 per square foot for materials only, depending on the type and quantity. Installation prices vary according to the attachment system of either mortar-based, construction adhesive, or nailing onto sheathing boards.
| Material | Price per square foot |
|---|---|
| Travertine | $6 – $16 |
| Slate | $4 – $10 |
| Granite | $11 – $22 |
| Quartzite | $4 – $10 |
| Marble | $7 – $16 |
| Limestone | $4 – $15 |
| Faux - polyurethane or PVC | $8 – $15 |
*Material price only.
Typically sold in 12”x12” panels with 4 to 15 pieces per box
Easy to install on existing interior or exterior walls
Improves home insulation
Textured rock-face block installation costs
Textured rock-face concrete block installation costs $10 to $40 per square foot total, depending on the project type.
| Project | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Outdoor wall | $18 – $35 |
| Retaining wall | $23 – $40 |
| Interior walls | $10 – $15 |
| House foundation | $15 – $23 |
| Veneer siding | $12 – $28 |
*Prices include materials and labor.
Outdoor split-face block wall fence
A split-face-block outside wall costs $70 to $280 per linear foot, or $18 to $35 per square foot installed for 4’ to 8’ tall garden walls. A 50’-long wall of split-face block costs $3,600 to $14,000 on average. Total costs depend on the height, foundation, and reinforcements.
Split-face block retaining wall
A 3’ to 6’ high split-face block retaining wall costs $70 to $240 per linear foot installed or $23 to $40 per square foot, including the backfill and concrete foundation. Total costs depend on the wall size, base type, excavation method, accessibility, and required reinforcements.
Interior split-face block walls
An interior split-face block wall costs $10 to $15 per square foot installed for new constructions. Additional fees apply depending on the choice of insulation and wall finish. Interior walls use higher-quality split-face blocks with multiple rough sides that need more precise installation.
Replacing or adding a wall to existing homes costs more for:
The cost to remove a wall is $500 to $2,000, if it’s non-load-bearing.
Installing a support beam costs $100 to $400 per linear foot.
Hiring a structural engineer costs $300 to $1,000 for design analysis.
Split-face block house foundation
A split-face block foundation costs $30,000 to $60,000 on average or $15 to $30 per square foot. The total cost to build a split-face block house foundation depends on the structure size, excavation and grading fees, and waterproofing requirements.
Split-face block foundation types include:
Stem walls
Piers
Crawl spaces
Above-ground basements
Split-face veneer siding cost
Split-face veneer siding costs $10 to $30 per square foot installed, depending on the material, size, and location. Split-face block veneer tiles are common for kitchen backsplashes, bathrooms, fireplaces, interior walls, and exterior siding.
Compare to other siding installation costs.
Cost factors to install a split-face block wall
Split-face blocks have additional labor, maintenance, and finishing costs, depending on the project type and site conditions:
| Wall installation fees | Cost per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Installation labor | $11 – $18 |
| Permit | $50 – $450 each |
| Sealing | $2 – $10 |
| Pressure washing | $0.30 – $0.50 |
| Caulking | $0.75 – $2.50 |
| Mortar repairs | $3 – $25 |
| Painting | $0.80 – $1.60 |
| Removing old concrete-block wall | $5 – $16 per linear foot |
| Insulation with core-filling injection foam | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Excavation in rocky soil or for foundations deeper than 1’ | $10 – $20+ |
*Units in per square foot unless otherwise noted.
Optional installation costs:
Permits – A permit costs $50 to $450 on average, depending on the wall size and location. Walls 3’ tall or larger typically require a permit.
Uneven terrain – Extra digging and foundation work is necessary for building on sloped or rocky ground.
Site access – Additional transportation fees may apply for building sites outside of the regular service area.
Labor cost to install split rough-face vs. standard concrete
Labor costs to install rough-face concrete block walls are $11 to $18 per square foot, which is $1 more per square foot than plain concrete block walls. Split-faced concrete blocks cost more because they're heavier and require well-planned installation.
| Block type | Labor cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Split-face concrete | $11 – $18 |
| Standard concrete cinder block | $10 – $17 |
*Not including materials
Split-face-block wall design
These split-face-block wall design choices affect the total cost:
Insulation – Core-filling injection foam costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
Drainage – Installing a French drain costs $10 to $35 per linear foot to stop foundation damage.
Complexity – Wall shapes with curves, multiple corners, and complex designs take more time.
Openings – Adding doors, windows, and gates costs more for framing openings and adding support beams.
Foundation – Large and load-bearing walls cost more for deeper footings.
Split-face block sealing cost
Split-face block sealing costs $2 to $10 per square foot, depending on the wall size, sealer type, and number of layers. Split-face block walls are very porous and need sealing every 3 to 7 years to prevent water from entering the wall system.
Sealing a split-face block wall exterior is a short-term leak solution. Permanently fixing block-wall leaks requires:
Ventilated wall caps
Flashing and adequate drainage
A multi-wythe wall with airspace inside
Interior moisture barrier
Cleaning and painting split-face blocks
Cleaning and painting a 25’x4’ split-face block wall costs $110 to $210 or $1.10 to $2.10 per square foot minimum for a newly built wall.
Costs for highly porous and damaged block walls are:
Pressure washing prices are $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot.
Caulking costs $0.75 to $2.50 per linear foot to seal joints and cracks.
Waterproof sealing costs $2 to $10 per square foot for highly porous block.
Repointing or tuckpointing costs $3 to $25 per square foot to repair old mortar joints.
Painting costs $0.80 to $1.60 per square foot total for two coats.
Pros & cons of split-face blocks
The following table shows the pros and cons of split-face blocks:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Split-face block FAQs
What is a split-face block?
A split-face block is a concrete building block with one or more rough-cut sides to imitate unpolished stone. Split-face blocks are a type of concrete masonry unit (CMU), or cinder block, made by splitting the molded concrete before it fully cures.
Where to buy split-face block
Buy split-face blocks from:
Home-improvement or hardware stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards
Masonry-construction suppliers
Building-material outlets
Local masonry contractors
Concrete block manufacturing companies
Order all blocks at the same time in one batch to ensure color uniformity.
How much does a split-face block weigh?
A standard hollow 8”x8”x16” concrete split-face block weighs 30 to 42 lbs. on average. A pallet of split-face blocks weighs 3,500 to 3,800 lbs. The weight varies according to the manufacturer and shape.
Hiring a split-face concrete block installer
Before hiring a retaining wall contractor or mason near you, be sure to:
Choose masons certified by any of these groups:
C-29 masonry contractor’s license in California
Local masonry unions
Compare at least three quotes from different companies.
Beware of the cheapest bids that often result in low-quality work.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Seek certified, insured, and bonded workers with 5+ years of experience.
Don’t pay in full upfront. Use a payment schedule.
Keep an itemized bid listing all costs.
Questions to ask
Do you use a block sealant or moisture barrier to prevent water damage?
Will the mortar have a waterproofing additive?
Can I see photos of your past split-face block projects?
How long have you been doing masonry work?
Can I see proof of insurance, licenses, and bond guarantees?
How do you handle project delays?
Will you pull building permits and be here for site inspections?
How should I prepare space for the crew?
Are all materials, labor, and clean-up fees in this estimate? What extra fees can I expect?
Do you hire subcontractors, and if so, are there extra fees to manage them?
What does your warranty include?
How long will this project take?
What’s your payment schedule?
Can I get a copy of the contract before work starts?