Home renovations and building projects can often turn out to be pricier than expected, which can put a real strain on your budget. That’s why finding affordable construction materials is crucial when it comes to taking on a project that won’t break the bank. When looking for cinder blocks, you can find several sellers that will offer you decent quality at a lower price point.
After reading this article, you will be able to adequately plan your building expenses and choose an option that fits this plan the best.
1. Menards
Menards is a home improvement company based in the US. They deliver decent-quality products at a very competitive price point. They currently offer cinder blocks at around $1.5 for a standard 8x8x16 piece if you choose to buy by the piece. The company also operates as a wholesaler, offering great volume prices for any of their products.
At the prices you’re paying, you can’t expect the highest-quality cinder blocks on the market, but their product’s durability justifies the price. So if you’re on a tight budget and you’re looking for the most affordable option that won’t compromise on the quality too much, give the website a look.
2. Home Depot
This American staple has been providing its customers with affordable home improvement materials for 43 years. Starting at less than $2 apiece, their cinder blocks have an almost perfect five-star rating on their website. This goes to show that quality and price are not mutually exclusive.
If you’re looking to make a volume purchase, Home Depot also offers wholesale services, the pricing of which you can find here. Buyers across many online platforms swear by this service, as they claim to have made thousands of dollars in savings using it.
Related How Much Does a Cinder Block Weigh? | By Size and Type.
3. Lowe’s
This well-known home improvement retailer chain has been operating in the US for more than a century. Their cinder blocks are very highly rated not only on their homepage but also on third-party websites, with an average of 4.5 stars out of five.
Their products are priced somewhat higher than the two previous alternatives, though, with the average cinder block exceeding the $2 mark. Although it is still a relatively affordable price point, it may not be the best possible choice for those on a very tight budget. Just like the two other options, they also offer special bulk pricing, which could make the price tag more reasonable if you have your eye on one of their cinder blocks.
4. BeeGreen
BeeGreen is an unexpected choice when it comes to home improvement supplies, but they do offer pretty reasonable prices while also considering environmental concerns. Out of all the mentioned options, they offer the highest price for cinder blocks at $2.65 apiece. Having said that, they have stellar reviews by hundreds of users, which goes to show their products’ quality.
So if you want to make sure you’re getting a high-quality cinder block while still staying within your budget, give the BeeGreen alternative a try. They also offer all kinds of landscaping materials in bulk quantities at a discounted price, which again can make the investment even more worthwhile.
What Is the Average Price of a Cinder Block?
The average price of a cinder block will probably run you around $1 to $5 each. Cinder blocks usually vary in cost according to their quality and type. It’s possible to find some for as little as $0.95 each or as much as $10, but the price you pay will likely depend on the durability of the block.
The price of cinder blocks tends to fluctuate according to the market’s conditions, current architectural trends, and the costs of raw materials. That said, most of the time, you can find an adequate-quality cinder block for $1-$5 for an individual piece. This average is set based on retail prices, though. If you are planning on a bigger budget and want to look at wholesale options, you will be able to get much better deals.
When buying wholesale, the price per cinder block rarely exceeds the $3 mark. So when possible, try to look for sellers that offer volume pricing, as it can impact your project’s costs marginally.
Related Building a Fire Pit on a Concrete Slab | Step-By-Step Guide.
How Much Does a Pallet of Cinder Blocks Cost?
The cost of a pallet of cinder blocks can range from $108 to $540, depending on the quality and durability of the material. In 2021 the price of a single block can go from $1 to $5, which means that a pallet of 108 blocks can get more expensive than expected.
With these numbers in mind, the average price per square foot installed will vary between $15 and $30, while the average price for a 25’ long wall can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000. These costs only take into account the raw materials. If you also need to hire a contractor, you will need to add $5-$10 per block to get an estimate of your total final costs.
You can use an online tool to calculate the number of cinder blocks you will need for your project. To plan your costs more efficiently, try out this block calculator that will help you figure out the specific amount of different materials that you will need for your project.
Is Cinder Block Cheaper Than Brick?
Cinder blocks are more expensive than bricks. Even though these materials don’t differ a lot pice-wise, using cinder blocks as your building material tends to rack up higher expenses.
The price difference is less noticeable when comparing the price per individual piece. However, if you take a look at the cost of each of these materials per square footage, you will see that while using cinder block will cost you $10-$15, using brick would only set you back $5-$13.
Having said this, brick prices are currently surging and have reached a new peak in 2021. So an exact comparison can’t be accurately made at this point. The reason for this jump is that more and more millennials are choosing brick as their building material of choice.
The newer generation appreciates the brick’s properties, such as its resistance, low maintenance, low impact on the environment, temperature control, and on-trend aesthetics. Brick houses are being evaluated higher than ever, which has significantly increased the material’s demand. This, in turn, drives up its prices, which makes it difficult to know whether this comparison will still hold true in the near future.
What Is the Difference Between a Cinder Block and a Concrete Block?
Although they are sometimes seen as interchangeable, cinder and concrete blocks, actually differ a lot from one another.
Cinder blocks are made out of cement and coal ash, which gives them a lower density and lighter weight. On the other hand, concrete blocks are made of a combination of gravel and sand, therefore, possess impressive strength and resistance.
This means that cinder blocks are usually less resistant to weather conditions and pressure, so they’re more suited to smaller-scale home improvement projects. In comparison, concrete blocks have higher durability and structural integrity, which makes them usable on almost any structure. Concrete also requires less maintenance, which can save you a lot on repair costs over time.
If you have a smaller-sized project, like a garden renovation, going for cinder blocks instead of concrete may be an excellent choice for you. For bigger structures that need the utmost stability and strength, concrete blocks would be the ideal option, as they are a higher-quality option overall.
They also tend to be more cost-effective, as well as better insulating than their cinder counterpart. So, before making a costly decision, take your needs, budget, and options carefully into account.
For more, check out 10 Practical Ways to Keep Cars From Parking on Your Lawn.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.