How much does it cost to install a stamped concrete wall?
How much does it cost to install a stamped concrete wall?
$20 – $50 cost per square foot
$2,000 – $5,000 average total cost (25’ long wall)
Stamped concrete wall cost
Building a stamped concrete wall costs $2,000 to $5,000 on average. A stamped concrete exterior wall costs $20 to $45 per square foot. A stamped concrete retaining wall costs $25 to $50 per square foot. Adding a stamped concrete wall texture to existing walls costs $5 to $20 per square foot.
| Linear feet | 2’ tall | 4’ tall | 6’ tall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $400 – $900 | $800 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $2,700 |
| 15’ | $600 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $2,700 | $1,800 – $4,000 |
| 25’ | $1,000 – $2,250 | $2,000 – $4,500 | $3,000 – $6,750 |
| 50’ | $2,000 – $4,500 | $4,000 – $9,000 | $6,000 – $13,500 |
| 100’ | $4,000 – $9,000 | $8,000 – $18,000 | $12,000 – $27,000 |
| 150’ | $6,000 – $13,500 | $12,000 – $27,000 | $18,000 – $40,500 |
| 200’ | $8,000 – $18,000 | $16,000 – $36,000 | $24,000 – $54,000 |
*Total installed prices for a freestanding cinder-block wall with one stamped side.
Vertical concrete mix costs $30 to $40 per bag.
Vertical stamping tools cost $200 to $1,150.
Concrete wall overlay labor costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
Stamped concrete wall cost calculator
The following table shows the average cost of 25’ long stamped concrete freestanding or retaining wall 2’ to 6’ tall.
| National average cost | $3,500 |
| Minimum cost | $1,000 |
| Maximum cost | $7,500 |
| Average cost range | $2,000 to $5,000 |
* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Stamped concrete retaining wall cost
A stamped concrete retaining wall costs $1,250 to $7,500 for a 25’ long wall or $25 to $50 per square foot on average. Installers typically build a concrete retaining wall first and then add a stamped design later.
A concrete block retaining wall costs $15 to $45 per square foot.
Adding a stamped design costs $5 to $15 per square foot.
| Linear feet | 2’ tall | 4’ tall | 6’ tall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| 15’ | $750 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $2,250 – $4,500 |
| 25’ | $1,250 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $3,750 – $7,500 |
| 50’ | $2,500 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| 100’ | $5,000 – $10,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| 150’ | $7,500 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 | $22,500 – $45,000 |
| 200’ | $10,000 – $20,000 | $20,000 – $40,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 |
*Total installed prices for a concrete cinder-block retaining wall with one stamped side.
Vertical stamped concrete walls cost
Adding a vertical stamped concrete overlay to existing walls costs $5 to $20 per square foot. Total costs depend on the design complexity, project size, and location.
| Wall-finish quality | Cost per square foot to add |
|---|---|
| Basic | $5 – $10 |
| Mid-range | $10 – $15 |
| High-end / custom | $15 – $20 |
*Total cost for adding a stamping overlay to existing walls.
Basic stamped concrete walls
Basic stamped designs cost $5 to $10 per square foot installed.
Standard stamped concrete finishes have:
A single-pattern design
Uniform coloring
One color with a minimal accent
No pattern customizations
No borders
Mid-range vertical cement walls
A mid-range stamped concrete wall design costs $10 to $15 per square foot installed. This design involves more than one color, contrasting patterns, adding an extra texture, and options for a custom border.
High-end custom concrete wall overlay
A high-end custom concrete wall overlay costs $15 to $20 per square foot installed. This design has multi-color layers, custom detailed patterns, and highly realistic designs imitating stone, wood, or bricks. Masons who carve concrete walls by hand charge more due to their higher skill level.
Cost factors to install stamped concrete walls
Stamped concrete wall tools and materials cost $500 to $2,400 according to the wall size, design complexity, and finished look. Labor adds $300 to $700 per 100 square foot of wall surface.
| Factor | Average cost per 100 SF |
|---|---|
| Vertical concrete mix | $180 – $680 |
| Colors | $100 – $500 |
| Tools | $200 – $1,100 |
| Supplies* | $25 – $100 |
| Labor | $300 – $700 |
*Additives, surface prep cleaners, concrete release agents.
Vertical concrete mix cost
Vertical concrete mix for a 100-square-foot wall costs $180 to $680 on average.
A single 40- to 55-lbs. bag costs $30 to $40.
One bag of concrete mix covers 3 to 8 square feet in a 1” to 2” thick layer.
Coverage is up to 16 square feet for a basic 0.5” thick layer.
| Concrete thickness | Bags needed | Concrete mix cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5” | 6 – 8 | $180 – $320 |
| 1.0” | 12 – 17 | $360 – $680 |
| 2.0” | 25 – 33 | $750 – $1,320 |
*Material price for 100 square feet of wall.
Concrete wall textures and color schemes
A concrete color additive costs $100 to $500 per color for 100 square feet of wall coverage, excluding labor. Masons use multiple pigments for highlighting the stamped textures on the wall to create a realistic imitation of real stone. Labor fees vary according to the color application and type:
Troweling or spreading a layer of liquid color stain onto wet concrete
Spraying diluted color in a fine surface mist
Brushing color with painting tools
Sponging dye on the surface for greater control of color distribution
Blending powder pigments into the vertical concrete mixture for uniform shades
Installers will recommend the best color glaze, sealer, or hardener afterward to create the specific visual effect desired.
Vertical stamping tools
Vertical concrete stamping tools cost $200 to $1,100 on average, depending on the size, pattern, shape, quality, and whether bought individually or as a set.
Prices for individual vertical stamping tools:
Roller stamps cost $40 to $200.
Floppy stamp mats cost $30 to $400.
Textured hand trowels cost $30 to $40.
Cement carving tools cost $10 to $15.
Handheld concrete mixers cost $100 to $500.
Stamped concrete wall patterns
Design options for a stamped concrete pattern wall include:
New brick or rustic cobblestone brick
Dry-stacked stone
Wood-grain planks or paneling
Flagstone
Split-faced stone
Slate or Ashlar stone tiles
Labor costs for vertical concrete wall overlay
The additional labor cost for a stamped concrete-wall overlay is $3 to $7 per square foot, according to the concrete thickness and design. Applying 100 square feet of stamped concrete to a wall is $300 to $700 in labor alone.
Stamped vertical concrete spaces
Stamping a new vertical concrete overlay onto existing masonry surfaces costs $5 to $15 per square foot. All brick, concrete, or stone surfaces are suitable for concrete overlays.
Common vertical concrete applications for stamped concrete overlays include:
Fireplace installation costs $1,900 to $5,600 on average.
A chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebrick the stack above the roof.
Retaining walls cost $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the type.
Cinder block walls cost $1,500 to $6,000 on average.
Wells, columns, and arched entryways
Concrete shower walls, internal accent walls, and backsplashes
Pros and cons of stamped concrete vertical walls
The following table shows the drawbacks and benefits of stamped concrete walls:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Stamped concrete wall FAQs
How long does a stamped concrete wall overlay last?
A stamped concrete wall overlay lasts 15 to 25 years on average if installed correctly, sealed, and maintained properly. Regular cleaning and resealing every 2 to 3 years ensures the longest lifespan.
How much does a stamped concrete patio cost?
A stamped concrete patio costs $3,700 to $8,500 on average or $20 to $40 per square foot installed. Total costs depend on the site leveling needed, size, design complexity, gravel-base depth, and site accessibility.
How much are stamped concrete stairs?
Building new stamped concrete stairs costs $1,500 to $5,000 total for an average set of 3’ to 4’ tall steps 5’ to 6’ wide. Stamping adds $5 to $15 per square foot to the total project cost for a new stamped concrete overlay on top of existing concrete stairs.
Are concrete walls cheaper than a brick or stone wall?
Building a 50’ long concrete wall that’s 4’ tall costs $3,000 to $9,000 while a stone or brick wall costs $2,000 to $15,000 on average.
A cinder block wall costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
A concrete retaining wall costs $15 to $45 per square foot.
A brick or stone wall costs $10 to $75 per square foot.
A precast or poured concrete wall costs $15 to $40 per square foot.
Hiring a stamped retaining wall builder
Before hiring a retaining wall builder or stamped concrete contractor near you:
Compare at least 3 estimates from various masons.
Look for installers certified by:
C-29 masonry contractor’s license in California
Other local masonry organizations.
Beware of the cheapest quotes that often mean low-quality work.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Pick licensed, insured, and bonded contractors with years of masonry experience.
Never pay in full upfront. Set a payment schedule based on job milestones.
Keep an itemized bid listing all costs involved.
Questions to ask
Can I see photos of the stamped concrete walls you’ve built?
How long have you worked with stamped concrete?
Will you pull all building permits and supervise site inspections?
Can you show me design ideas that complement my home?
Are you able to create a custom design for me?
How much will it cost for grading and preparing the site?
For retaining walls, what type of drainage system will you install to prevent pressure from building up behind the wall?
How do you manage unpredictable delays and poor weather conditions?
Will you put expansion or contraction joints in my concrete wall to stop cracks from temperature changes?
Are you installing the wall footing below the frost line?
Will my concrete wall have steel reinforcements inside?
How should I prepare space for the crew?
Are all materials and labor fees in this estimate? What extra costs can I expect?
Does your crew clean up after finishing the job, and does that cost extra?
How will I contact the project supervisor?
Do you hire subcontractors, and if so, are there extra fees to manage them?
What does your warranty include?
How long will this construction take?