How Much Does a Concrete House Cost? [2026 Data]

Cost to Build a Concrete House by Number of Bedrooms

Many people planning a home build will start with the number of bedrooms they need for their families and guest spaces. Concrete house costs don’t scale directly with the number of bedrooms, but you can get a general idea of the total based on bedroom count. More bedrooms require additional square footage for the sleeping quarters as well as living space to accommodate additional family members.

Cost by House Size

You’ll get a more accurate estimate for your concrete house cost if you go based on square footage. The average cost to build a house out of concrete is $180 per square foot, and your per-square-foot total can range from $120 to $600, depending on the materials and features you choose.

Custom Homebuilder Costs

Labor accounts for between 40% and 60% of your total, and most of that will go toward hiring a custom homebuilder. This professional may subcontract work to other specialists, but most will tackle the largest portions of the home build themselves. Below are some of the most common jobs your custom homebuilder will carry out during the homebuilding process, along with average costs.

• Pouring the foundation: $5,000–$25,000

• Constructing concrete block walls: $2,000–$10,000

• Installing the roof: $5,900–$13,200

• Installing windows and doors: $3,500 to $12,000

Architect Costs

An architect and a structural engineer are two of the most important pros you’ll need to hire to build a house. These experts cost between $10,000 and $60,000 total, depending on the complexity of your design. Their expertise is well worth the money, though, as they’ll ensure your home is structurally sound. Below are some of the most common individual costs you’ll see from these pros.

• Creating building plans and structural drawings: $20,000–$60,000

• Drawing up blueprints: $550–$1,900

• Creating as-built drawings: $700–$1,300

• Landscape design plans: $700–$3,600

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

There are many other professionals you or your custom homebuilder may need to hire to get everything to come together. Below are some typical labor costs you’ll see when building a concrete house.

• Drywall installer: $1–$2.10 per sq. ft. for interior walls only

• Electrician cost: $1,500–$10,000 to wire the house

• Flooring installation cost: $2–$20 per sq. ft.

• Framer cost: $7–$16 per square foot for interior walls only

• Interior painter cost: $4,600–$13,800

• HVAC technician cost: $5,000–$14,500 to install new HVAC system

• Plumber cost: $10,000–$20,000 to install new plumbing system

• Roofer cost: $5,800–$13,000

Cost by Location

The cost to build a concrete house varies widely based on location, with prices sitting higher in and around major metropolitan areas due to increased labor costs. Location and climate are also the major deciding factors when it comes to foundation type, and the type of foundation you choose can sway your total build costs by tens of thousands of dollars.

Additional Cost Factors

There are many other things you should consider that can influence your concrete house costs, so make sure to consider all of the following factors carefully for the most accurate estimate.

Land and Land Prep

The prices mentioned above don’t account for the cost of land, which can add tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands to your total, depending on the size and location of the plot.

Additionally, you may need to account for land preparation, which could include any or all of the following.

Utility Access

You’ll need utility connections on your property before you can start building, and running utilities to a property can cost between $6,500 and $30,000, depending on what you need and how far from existing connections you are.

Planning and Design

You’ll pay between $10,000 and $60,000 for the plans and drawings necessary to build a custom house from concrete. If you’re building a spec house instead of a custom one, you’ll avoid these charges altogether, as the builder offering the spec house will have plans drawn up and approved before beginning.

Permits

Permits to build a new home cost between $1,000 and $4,000, and your total will depend on your municipality. Most building departments will issue a single construction permit rather than individual permits for foundation pouring, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other work.

Foundation Style

Pouring a foundation for a 2,000-square-foot concrete house costs between $10,000 and $75,000. The style of foundation you choose will dictate if and how much excavation is required. Slab foundations require minimal excavation, while basement foundations require extensive excavation and tamping, which drives up labor costs.

Construction Type

When you’re building a concrete house, you also have a few options for the type of concrete you use to construct the foundation and the walls. The table below includes average costs per square foot for a concrete home using the different construction methods.

Interior and Exterior Finishes

The line items above will get your main structure up, but then you’ll need interior finishes, like insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, kitchen installation, and bathroom installation, as well as exterior finishes, like gutter installation and exterior trim. This portion of the construction will cost between $75,000 and $300,000 for most homeowners, but prices can extend well beyond that for luxury home builds.

HVAC System

A new HVAC system will cost between $5,000 and $14,500, and your total depends on the type of HVAC system you choose.

Landscaping and Hardscaping

Putting the final landscaping touches on your concrete house costs between $1,200 and $50,000, depending on what you want done. Just seeding your lawn should cost closer to the lower end of the range, while adding paver patios, concrete driveways and walkways, garden beds, and other features like pool houses and sheds can easily push your price toward the upper end of that range.

Concrete House New Build vs. Remodel

Building a new concrete house costs an average of $360,000, while remodeling an existing home costs $52,500, on average, and can reach up to $90,000. Of course, it’s almost always going to be more expensive to build a new concrete house than it will be to renovate and remodel an existing one.

However, while building a new custom home costs more, it gives you total freedom over square footage, room count, and layout, and it leaves you with a brand new home that has yet to lose any efficiency, so your utility costs will be lower. If you just need to refresh your interior, go with a remodel, but consider new construction if you need a larger footprint or a different layout, or if your existing home has major structural issues.

How to Save Money When Building a Concrete House

Building a concrete house is more expensive than building a traditional framed home, and prices can easily climb to $600,000 or higher, even if you don’t splurge on luxury materials and features. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help keep costs down.

• Start with a pre-prepped plot of land: You could save $50,000 or more by choosing a plot of land that has nearby utility connections and doesn’t require clearing and grading.

• Go with ICF construction: Building with insulated concrete forms will cost less in labor and save on construction costs. It will also boost home efficiency and provide savings on utilities in the long run.

• Hire a local custom homebuilder: Hiring a local custom homebuilder who can pull permits and hire and coordinate with the different professionals necessary will save time and could save money over hiring a general contractor.

• Choose more affordable materials: Interior and exterior finishes cost between $75,000 and $300,000. Choosing more budget-friendly materials for flooring, plumbing, and electrical fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and appliances can save tens of thousands of dollars.

• Focus on energy efficiency: One benefit of concrete homes is boosted energy efficiency. You can go one step further by upgrading to better insulation and installing energy-efficient windows, doors, light fixtures, and appliances to save money over time.

• Take advantage of incentives: To that same end, see if there are incentives for efficient building in your area and take any rebates and tax credits that you can. You may also get a deal on your homeowner’s insurance if you live in an area where wildfires and earthquakes are threats.

Why You Should Hire a Concrete House Pro

When building a concrete house, 40% to 60% of your costs go towards labor. While it may be tempting to try to save by taking on some aspects of the project yourself, doing so can lead to costly mistakes, significant delays, and structural issues that cause trouble down the road. 

Hiring a local custom home builder ensures that everything, from foundation work to finishing, is done safely, correctly, and in accordance with local codes. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a concrete home pro

Building a concrete house is a major project that requires specialized expertise. Here are some of the top reasons to work with a pro:

• Concrete pros ensure walls, foundations, and slabs are properly aligned to prevent structural issues.

• They have the tools to mix and pour concrete correctly, providing lasting strength and durability.

• Experts handle curing and finishing to reduce the risks of cracks, warping, or weak spots.

• Working with pros ensures your project meets local building codes and safety regulations.

• Pros can help you select the best concrete type and technique for your climate and design.

If you want to DIY a concrete home

If you want to take on some aspects of the project yourself, here are a few DIY tasks that can help save time and labor costs:

• Remove debris and clear landscaping before construction begins.

• Install small fixtures like shelves or lights after major construction.

• Work with an architect to finalize your design and interior finishes early on.

• Handle minor landscaping projects, like planting trees and shrubs, once the structure is complete.

• Install energy-efficient upgrades like smart thermostats or lighting.