Retaining Walls contractors cost and hiring guide

Project guide

Hiring retaining walls contractors

Retaining walls hold back soil where a grade change is too steep to slope, and they fail for one reason far more than any other: water. A wall that lasts has a compacted crushed-stone base, a perforated drain pipe at the heel, clean gravel backfill behind the wall face, and geogrid layers tied into the backfill on anything tall. Segmental concrete block is the most common residential system and can be built by a landscape contractor up to about four feet; above that, or wherever a driveway, slope or structure sits above the wall, an engineer's design is required by most codes and the wall becomes structural work. Poured concrete and reinforced masonry walls are used for tall cuts and tight sites, boulder walls for rural and natural-look projects, and pressure-treated timber for budget walls with a shorter life.

GradeLine lists 1,591 retaining walls contractors.Compare their work and equipment, then confirm availability and service area before requesting a quote.

Listed businesses are based in SAN DIEGO, SILVERDALE, SEABROOK, COEUR D ALENE, FLAGSTAFF, CLEVELAND, though most crews travel well beyond their home city.

What retaining walls work costs

Segmental block walls typically cost $25 to $50 per square foot of wall face installed, poured concrete $30 to $60, timber $15 to $30 and boulder walls $20 to $40. A four foot tall, 50 foot long block wall therefore commonly runs $5,000 to $10,000, and engineered walls above that height climb quickly once geogrid, engineering and larger equipment are involved.

Ranges are national and approximate; regional labor rates, material prices and site conditions move them in both directions.