COST GUIDES

Concrete block calculator: 2026 UK price guide

Updated 08/26

Concrete block calculator

Blog>Cost Guides>Concrete block calculator: 2026 UK price guide

Looking into concrete block costs for a home building project? Use our free concrete block calculator below to work out how many blocks and what budget you'll need.

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Fast Facts

  • Typical cost: £2.40 to £3.00 per 100mm block

  • Biggest pricing factor: Block thickness, since a 215mm hollow block costs roughly double a 100mm block

  • Compliance to check: Structural or load-bearing walls need building regulations sign-off

Top Tip

For this guide, we use estimated average costings for concrete blocks per m².

Concrete block calculator

The number of concrete blocks you need varies depending on the project, whether you need them for walls, retaining walls, a new garage, foundations or other building work.

Enter your floor or wall size (m2):

xArea: 14.00 m²

Choose block size (pick one)

Item

Avg Unit Cost

Your Cost

£22.50 per m²

£54.80 per m²

£35.00 per m²

Add items (specify quantity of each)

Item

Avg Unit Cost

Your Cost

Block paver day rate

£250.00 each

Approximate the overall cost would be:

£0.00

Working with professional estimators, we collate cost estimates for the common home improvement and repair jobs in the UK. All the costs are estimates only and for accurate costs for your particular requirements, you are encouraged to reach out to professional tradespeople to receive a quote for your job. Read our disclaimer for more information.

How much do concrete blocks cost?

ItemRange - LowRange - HighAverage cost
100mm dense concrete block, each£2.40£3.00£2.70
215mm hollow dense concrete block, each£4.00£5.50£4.50
100mm dense concrete block, 100 pack£215£250£225
215mm hollow dense concrete block, 50 pack£260£300£274
100mm dense concrete block, £/m2£21.50£25£22.50
215mm hollow dense concrete block, £/m2£52£60£54.80
Last updated: August 2026
Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now

Dense concrete blocks start at £2.40 each for a 100mm block and go up to £5.50 for a 215mm hollow block.

On average, 100mm thick dense concrete blocks cost £2.40 to £3.00 per block. For a 215mm thick hollow dense concrete block, the average cost is £4.00 to £5.50 per block.

Concrete block cost factors

The exact price you pay depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Type of concrete block

  • Size

  • Quantity

  • Any special treatment

  • Transport costs

Top Tip

Some concrete block suppliers offer a discount if you're ordering a large number of blocks, so it's worth getting a quote based on actual quantities.

Concrete blocks being prepared

Concrete block calculator formula

To calculate the number of concrete blocks you need, a rough guide is approximately 10 concrete blocks per m² (including a 10mm mortar joint).

As with any building materials, calculate how many you think you'll need, then add a contingency of 10–20% on top to avoid running out.

We also recommend speaking to your local concrete block supplier about your project to get their professional recommendation on quantities.

Download our free mobile app to find concrete block services near you.

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Concrete block wall cost calculator

For a concrete block wall, the number of blocks you'll need and the price you'll pay depend on the wall's size and whether it's single or double skin.

  • Single-skin wall: Approximately 10 concrete blocks per m²

  • Double-skin wall: Roughly 20 concrete blocks per m²

Top Tip

Concrete blocks are sometimes called breeze blocks, and the same calculation applies to both. Check our breeze block wall cost guide if you're pricing up a wall project.

What's included in a concrete block price?

A concrete block price covers the block itself and nothing else.

Delivery, mortar, sand and any specialist blocks (fire-rated, insulated or coursing units) are normally priced separately, so check what's included when you request a quote with suppliers.

Top Tip

If your project involves structural or retaining work, see our guide to retaining wall installation costs for a fuller picture of what to budget for.

Additional costs to budget for

Beyond the blocks themselves, budget for:

  • Mortar

  • Skip hire or waste removal

  • 10–20% contingency on quantities so you don't run short mid-build

  • Ready-mix concrete costs (if your project needs a concrete foundation or base)

  • Outer finish (like render, cladding or a brick skin, if needed)

If you're hiring a tradesperson, ask whether their quote already covers these extras.

Concrete breeze block wall with mortar joint

How much does it cost to lay concrete blocks?

Labour costs for laying concrete blocks vary depending on the wall's size, location and complexity.

Get quotes from checked bricklayers near you to get an accurate price for your project rather than relying on a flat per-m² estimate.

Find a trusted tradesperson in your area

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Benefits of concrete blocks

Here are some of the reasons why concrete blocks have become a solid favourite for construction in the UK:

  • Strong and durable, and concrete actually gets stronger over time

  • Fire-resistant, unlike flammable wooden structures

  • Excellent insulation to keep your home energy bills down

  • Available in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes

  • Affordable (less bricks and mortar needed compared to traditional bricklaying)

  • Quicker to build with than traditional bricks

  • Sustainable, so you can be confident you're choosing an environmentally-friendly building material

That said, concrete blocks often need an outer finish like render, cladding or a brick skin, so that's an additional cost to account for.

For a cost comparison with other materials, see our guide to the cost of building a brick wall.

Cost to build a brick wall

Building a brick wall: Cost breakdown 2026

Building a brick wall sounds like a straightforward job, but it can be deceptively complicated without proper planning. In this guide we look at the average cost to build a brick wall in your garden. We’ll also cover the cost of a brick wall per m² for a brick and block cavity wall.

Learn more

Should you lay concrete blocks yourself or hire a professional?

Laying a small number of concrete blocks for a simple garden project is within reach for a confident DIYer.

However, structural work, such as retaining walls, foundations or anything load-bearing, needs a qualified bricklayer or builder.

Get it wrong, and you risk a wall that cracks, leans or fails building regulations.

Top Tip

For a manageable garden wall, our guide on how to build a breeze block wall is a good starting point. For anything more complex, see our step-by-step guide to building a brick wall to understand the skill level involved.

How to find a concrete block specialist

Use our quick and easy request a quote feature, and we'll get experienced concrete block specialists in your area to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:

  • Wall or project dimensions (length × height × thickness)

  • Block type and thickness required (100mm, 140mm or 215mm)

  • Site access and whether machinery will be needed

  • Whether existing foundations are in place

  • Your preferred timescale

Find reliable concrete block specialists near you

Enter your postcode to find a top tradesperson near you

  • LDN Renovation LTD Logo

    LDN Renovation LTD

    10.00

    (42 reviews)
    Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    New Builds
    Garage Conversions
    Extensions / Conversions
    Call
  • Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    Extensions / Conversions
    Loft Conversions
    Sustainable Construction
    Call
  • Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    Loft Conversions
    Core Drilling
    Suspended Ceilings
    Call
  • OaksBuild Ltd Logo

    OaksBuild Ltd

    10.00

    (56 reviews)
    Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    Tree Houses
    Suspended Ceilings
    Basement / Cellar Conversions
    Call
  • Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    Extensions / Conversions
    Basement / Cellar Conversions
    Garden Studios
    Call
  • Services & skills
    Builder
    Brick / Concrete Structural Repairs
    Demolition
    General Building
    Extensions / Conversions
    Call

Why use Checkatrade to find reliable concrete block specialists near you?

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Request a quote, search in the Checkatrade app, or enter your postcode to find local concrete block specialists near you.

Concrete block cost checklist

Before contacting a tradesperson, here's what to check:

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Concrete block cost checklist

Whether you're building a concrete block wall yourself, bringing in the help of an experienced bricklayer, or needing a structural repair specialist, our building hub has all the information you need.

Concrete block calculator FAQs

  • A dense concrete block is a solid, heavyweight block made from aggregate and cement, used mainly below ground or where extra strength and fire resistance matter. They're heavier than lightweight or aerated blocks, but cost less per unit of strength.

  • Dense concrete blocks are noticeably heavier than lightweight or aerated blocks, which is why larger builds often move them with machinery rather than by hand alone.

  • Solid dense blocks are made throughout from the same dense concrete mix, giving maximum strength and fire resistance. Medium dense blocks use a lighter aggregate mix, so they're easier to handle and give better thermal insulation, with slightly less strength.

  • You'll need roughly 10 215mm blocks per m², the same as with a 100mm block per m². It's the thickness that changes with a 215mm block, not the number needed to cover a square metre.

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