Concrete Wall Cost Calculator

A poured concrete wall costs $5 to $12 per square foot for materials and forming. Ready-mix concrete is about $125 to $165 per cubic yard. A standard 20 ft by 8 ft foundation wall (8 inches thick) uses about 4.36 cubic yards with 10% waste, costing roughly $545 to $720 for concrete alone.

Residential foundation walls are typically 8 to 10 inches thick. Basement walls that are 8 feet or taller often require 10 inches. Retaining walls range from 8 to 12 inches depending on height and soil pressure. Always follow structural engineering specifications.

Yes, poured concrete walls require both vertical and horizontal rebar. Typical residential walls use #4 or #5 vertical bars at 12 to 24 inch spacing, with horizontal bars at 12 to 18 inch spacing. Rebar is essential for resisting soil pressure, wind loads, and preventing cracks.

Wall forms are typically removed after 24 to 48 hours in warm weather (above 50°F). In cold weather, forms should stay on for 3 to 7 days. The concrete should reach at least 500 psi before form removal. Early form removal can cause surface defects or structural issues.

Yes, but cold joints between pours can be a weak point. Use a bonding agent or a keyway (notch) at the joint. Water stops should be installed in below-grade walls to prevent leaking at cold joints. For best results, try to pour the entire wall in one continuous pour.