Cost & Timeframe Comparison: Construction of a Staircase
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Cast-in-Place vs PreCast vs 3D Concrete Printing
This is a Comparison Study between cast-in-place, precast, and 3D concrete printing for a NEOM staircase project, including timeline, cost ranges, and overall time-cost efficiency based on UAE and Saudi benchmarks.
MEASUREMENT AND SURVEY
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
0.5 - 1 day | 0.5 - 1 day | 0.5 - 1 day |
DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
2 - 5 days | 3 - 7 days | 1 - 3 days |
SITE PREPARATION
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
2 - 4 days | 2 - 5 days | 1 - 2 days |
FORMWORK / MOULD / SETUP
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
3 - 6 days | 3 - 7 days | 1 -2 days |
PRODUCTION
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
1 day | 1 - 2 days | 0.5 - 1 day |
POST-PROCESSING AND CURING
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
5 -10 days | 6 - 12 days | 3 - 7 days |
TRANSPORT AND INSTALLATION
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
0 days | 1 – 2 days | 0.5 – 1 day |
TOTAL DURATION (RANGE & AVERAGE)
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
13.5 – 27 days | 16.5 – 36 days | 7.5 – 17 days |
20.5 days | 26.5 days | 12.25 days |
TOTAL COST (RANGE & AVERAGE)
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
$2,200 - $4,100 | $3,300 - $6,000 | $,2700 - $5,200 |
$3,150 | $4,650 | $3,950 |
*Waste cost for Cast-in-Place and Precast are not included. 3DCP has Zero waste cost.
*All above numbers are based on UAE and Saudi market benchmarks. Labour rates vary significantly globally.
TIME X COST FACTOR
Cast-in-Place | Precast | 3D Printing |
63,788 | 122,063 | 48,388 |
APPLY THIS TO YOUR PROJECT
Every project is different.
Get a tailored assessment of cost, time, and feasibility using 3D concrete printing.
In a consultation, we help you:
Evaluate feasibility
Estimate time & cost
Identify design opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3D concrete printing faster than traditional staircase construction?
Yes. In this comparison, 3D concrete printing showed the shortest overall timeline, with an estimated total duration of 7.5 to 17 days, compared with 13.5 to 27 days for cast-in-place and 16.5 to 36 days for precast.
Is 3D concrete printing cheaper than precast for staircase construction?
Based on this benchmark, 3D concrete printing showed a lower average total cost than precast, while also reducing the overall timeline. However, final costs depend on project geometry, site conditions, material choice, and installation requirements.
When is 3D concrete printing a good option for staircase projects?
3D concrete printing is especially useful for custom staircase designs, complex site conditions, uneven terrain, and projects that require faster installation with reduced material waste.
What are the main advantages of 3D concrete printing for this staircase project?
The main advantages highlighted in this project were:
reduced material usage
easier adaptation to the terrain
faster production
simplified installation
improved efficiency for a custom design
How does precast compare with 3D concrete printing in this case?
Precast remains a strong option for repeatable components, but in this comparison it required more setup, transport, and coordination, resulting in a longer average timeline and a higher average time-cost factor than 3D concrete printing.
Are these cost and time figures fixed for every project?
No. These figures are project-specific benchmarks and may vary depending on design complexity, material specifications, labor costs, site preparation, transport logistics, and installation conditions.
