Three easy Steps

Retaining Wall Cost

Retaining walls are built for many purposes - shoring up eroding landscapes, eliminating steep slopes that are difficult to mow, and beautifying a yard or garden area by creating multiple levels. A wide variety of materials are available, so you can achieve the look you want while still selecting materials appropriate for the task at hand.

Retaining walls, by nature involve some serious technical issues best resolved by a trained engineer. You have to consider drainage, the weight of the soil, the degree of the slope, the strength of the materials being used, the purpose of the wall (decorative and/or necessary), and the climate conditions. Any of these factors not properly thought out and designer for can spell disaster for your wall in the near future.

Below are some of the materials available for building a retaining wall and the average costs per square face foot including labor. Costs may vary depending on where you live, access to the site, and the difficulty of the job. Often, there is a minimum charge for smaller projects.

Precast interlocking concrete stone blocks

These were recently developed to interlock without the need for mortar. Blocks and labor can run around $15 to $30 or more per square face foot. Check out the varying quality levels and strength of these stones so you are sure to buy the best product for your needs. Some of the more expensive interlocking blocks are priced that way due to the fact that they are stronger and can be stacked higher than some of the less expensive blocks.

Wood

The most commonly used woods for retaining walls are redwood, used railroad ties or pressure-treated fir. Other woods may be susceptible to termites and can rot. Check with your contractor or landscaper about the durability of the wood. Carpenter ants can also cause problems with wood. The average cost for wood retaining walls can run from $20 to $25 per square face foot.

Stone

With stone, your contractor may prefer to work on an hourly rate rather than a price per square face foot because building with stone requires more knowledge and skill and they cannot estimate the labor as easily. On average, though, you can expect to pay $25 to $40 per square face foot. These can be built with or without mortar.

Your Contractor

Your contractor should include the retaining wall material used, labor and backfill costs. An engineer is a great investment because they can design a wall that will last, they understand drainage issues and they know the best materials for the type and size of wall you want or need. Their fees can range from $200 to $500 or more, but you will be sure your wall will be built to last.

Make sure you check to see if you need a permit before building your wall. Also be sure to check ahead of time to see if your subdivision has any covenant restrictions.