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Blocks V’s Concrete Sleepers
Below is a Supply and Install cost comparison exercise to compare to price difference between masonry blocks and concrete sleepers.
For this exercise our retaining wall is 1 metre in height and 10 metres in length the prices stated are retail prices including GST.
MATERIALS QUANTITY PRICE TOTAL
AB Aussie:
Blocks 115 $14.50 $1667.50
Caps 34 $5.50 $ 187.00
Install labour 10m2 $188.00 $1880.00
Aggregate 5.5ton $55.00/ton $ 302.50
Ag drain 10m $3.85/m $ 38.50
Base material 1.5ton $55/ton $ 82.50
Misc materials 1 $80.00 $ 80.00
TOTAL $4238.00
= $423.80/m2
Concrete sleepers (Industrial 200 x 200 x 80)
Sleepers 25 $40.20 $1005.00
Steel (150UB) 12m $32.00/m $ 384.00
Concrete 3m3 $220.00/m3 $ 660.00
Install labour 10m2 $188.00/m2 $1880.00
Aggregate 4ton $55.00/ton $ 220.00
Ag drain 10m $3.85/m $ 38.50
Misc materials 1 $100.00 $ 100.00
TOTAL $4287.50
= $428.75/m2
‘PATTERNED’ = $446.75/m2
Advantages for using masonry retaining wall blocks over concrete sleepers.
- Looks better, more colours and styles.
- Simpler to use, easier to lift, no machinery required.
- Can create curved walls
- Easier to construct steps with a wider variety of shapes/styles.
- Dry stack, mortar less, core filled.
- Self-draining.
- No need to bore holes.
- Masonry blocks are the cheaper option.
