An ICF house costs between $240,000 and $445,000 for 2,200 square feet, or between $130 and $200 per square foot. Unless you're living in a warmer climate, many home builders use ICF for all concrete house building since it’s made from rigid foam insulation, which stays in place after pouring and insulating the walls.
Some people call ICF homes "foam concrete homes" because the forms are made from polystyrene. In its expanded state, polystyrene is like Styrofoam.
ICF construction costs at least $3 more per square foot than traditional wood construction but could cost upwards of $10 per square foot or more. Construction prices vary depending on the following factors:
Location: If there aren’t many ICF contractors near you, it’ll cost more for them to travel to you.
Project complexity: Custom homes and two-story projects may drastically increase the pricing.
Material: Different concrete mixes have different prices. For example, fly ash mixes cost less than cement mixes.
Even if you only want to pour a basement with ICF, it still insulates better and goes up faster than traditional methods. ICF foundation costs around $10 to $30 per square foot. You can expect similar prices for the cost to build a wall. Because the forms stay in place, ICF takes less time to install and, as such, usually costs less than poured concrete.
Concrete House Cost Breakdown
Concrete house costs include more than just the forms and the concrete. You'll need to decide on HVAC systems, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, and the pros to design the space of your dreams. Consider the following elements:
Home wiring costs: $20,000–$30,000
Plumbing installation costs: $7,000–$15,000
Window installation costs: $3,000–$10,000
Roof installation costs: $5,500–$12,000 for asphalt shingles
Structural engineer fees: $350–$750
Landscaping costs: $3,000–$10,000
HVAC costs: $5,000–$10,000
Concrete House Finishing Costs
Besides the guts of the home, you’ll also need to put on the finishing touches before moving in. You’ll want to include some of the following:
DIY Building a Concrete House vs. Hiring a Pro
You almost certainly want to hire a pro to build a concrete house, even if you opt for cinder block construction instead of poured or ICF. It's essential to ensure your walls and foundation are as perfectly aligned and structurally sound as possible. Otherwise, the money you save from a DIY project will cost you expensive repairs. A professional installation could mean you won’t have to worry about these expenses.