Estimated cost of concrete block wall???? (Phoenix, Sun City: houses, neighborhood, live)

[Paul91]

Hi all,

My wife and I will be relocating to the east valley in a couple of months. Some of the houses that we're seeing listed (although we realize that they won't be available when we move), have partial block walled back yards.

I've been trying to get some idea of what it costs to add a block wall, but can't seem to find any ball park prices on-line.

Do you have a ball park idea for the cost of adding a 4'-5' high, 40'-50' long wall? I realize that the cost will vary by location and company, but I'm trying to get an idea of what costs we're looking at.

Thanks for your help!

[ReadyFreddy]

I don't know how representative this is but I recently got a quote for a small (5x5) section to hide some pool parts and it was $380, so around $15/SF. That'd make your job $3000ish. It might be a lot cheaper per SF for larger jobs, though, I have no idea.

That's weird you're seeing houses with partially walled yards. That's not common. We love our walls out here.

[AZgarden]

Not all of us, Ready Freddy. I think the block walls are really ugly, especially if you don't stucco over them, leave them morbid gray, and never paint them a decent color. I still don't understand why this is the norm in AZ, or is it just Phoenix? Does anyone know how this wall thing started here? Why not wood, or something more see through?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

Not all of us, Ready Freddy. I think the block walls are really ugly, especially if you don't stucco over them, leave them morbid gray, and never paint them a decent color. I still don't understand why this is the norm in AZ, or is it just Phoenix? Does anyone know how this wall thing started here? Why not wood, or something more see through?

Wood was the standard for years here. It dries out, cracks, warps, becomes discolored and looks trashy in a few years. Eventually the posts rot out and the walls fall over in the monsoon. Concrete is a huge improvement. Walls in my subd are painted

I love my walls. The privacy is priceless and I can let my dog out where the high-flying coyotes and the Harris hawks roam. The walls are actually one of the reasons I would prefer Phoenix over many US cities. I would really, really hate to have my yard open to my neighbors.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

Not all of us, Ready Freddy. I think the block walls are really ugly, especially if you don't stucco over them, leave them morbid gray, and never paint them a decent color. I still don't understand why this is the norm in AZ, or is it just Phoenix? Does anyone know how this wall thing started here? Why not wood, or something more see through?

to protect the Hacienda from Indian raids.

and nope....not unique to PHX.....they are all over Las Vegas too

[elwood58]

We actually have slump block versus cinder block. The walls hold up well in the hot sun, and many are painted in our neighborhood. We had wood in the past, and it looked good for the first couple of years, and then went downhill fast, even when treated and sealed regularly.

In Sun City West, it is a combination of open, walls and wrought iron fencing. Wrought Iron is the standard along the Golf Courses. Masonry Walls are the standard for those homes with pools, but not on the Golf Course. Open seems to be a popular choice for those without Pools and Pets. No permanent kids here, so not many walls for Grandkid containment

[Zonie5]

Walls are very common in Laredo too . i think that is a Mexican tradition . if you are interested in a wall wait till you arrive and maybe you can line up some Mexicans to do it cheaper . make sure they are legals .

[Zippyman]

A 6 foot wall runs about $20-$25 per linear foot installed. So figure on $2500~ish with hauling away the old fence.

As for the fence/wall debate, based on the google earth views of many areas of town, I wouldn't want a fence that allowed me a view of my neighbors junk. Good fences/walls make good neighbors.

[HX_Guy]

For me it's definitely the norm. since I've lived in Phoenix for the past 20 years (since I was 11 years old). It would be so strange to not have the fence and be able to see in the neighbor's yards and them to see in mine. Sometimes I'll walk out there in my underwear...or less. Imagine if there was no fence.

[Steve Pickering]

Also (and the reason it is used in Mexico and other earth built parts of the world) high walls provided shade which lowers the ground temperature substantially, thereby lowering the ambient air temps around a home or village. The average home will be 5 to 10 degrees cooler.