Structural Retaining Walls
Walls that hold back soil on a slope so a yard can be leveled, used and protected.
Trade 02 · Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls
Structural and landscape walls planned for grade, drainage, durability and a clean finished appearance.
What We Build
Sub-services
Walls that hold the slope and shape the yard
Garden & Planter Walls
Lower walls that make planting beds, terraces and raised borders.
Seating Walls
Walls built at a comfortable height with a cap you can sit on, around patios and fire features.
Steps Built Into Walls
Stairs integrated with the wall so grade changes are walkable and match the wall finish.
Caps & Finishing Details
Cap units, corners, curves and returns that make the wall look finished.
Terraced Yards
Several walls stepping a steep lot into usable levels.
Why It Matters
Retaining Walls
A wall is holding back more than it looks
Soil on a slope is heavy, and wet soil is much heavier. A wall that looks fine on day one can bow, tilt or fail if water builds up behind it or the base is soft.
Good walls start with a compacted base, drainage behind the wall and a plan for where that water leaves. Taller walls, walls that carry a driveway or structure, and walls near property lines can also bring engineering and permit requirements, which we review during the property assessment.
- Drainage behind the wall is part of the design, not an add-on.
- The base is excavated, compacted and leveled before the first course.
- Taller or heavily loaded walls are reviewed for engineering and permits.
- Caps and corners are planned so the finished wall reads clean.
Design Options
Make it yours
Options that change how a wall looks and works
Block, Stone or Boulder
Segmental block is common and consistent; natural stone and boulders give a looser, more organic look. We help you weigh appearance, cost and what the site needs.
Color & Face Texture
Block faces range from smooth to split-face and stone-look. Choose a tone that suits the house and the surrounding landscape.
Straight, Curved or Terraced
Curves soften a wall and follow natural contours; terraces break a tall slope into smaller, more plantable steps.
Caps & Seating Heights
A wider cap makes a wall usable as seating and gives a crisp top line.
Integrated Wall Lighting
Small lights set into the wall or cap light steps and paths. Plan them while the wall is being built.
Materials
Suppliers & collections
Where we look for wall materials
Wall block, cap units and stone come from suppliers and manufacturers we work with or can source through. Browse the collections and send us the links you like. Product availability, colors and pricing can change, so a saved link is a selection request, not a guarantee.
Mutual Materials
Primary regional hardscape source for pavers, walls, slabs and masonry.
Visit Mutual Materials (opens in a new tab)Belgard
Pavers, slabs, walls and outdoor-living systems to browse for color, texture and style.
Visit Belgard (opens in a new tab)SiteOne Hardscapes
Access to current hardscape brands and accessories through SiteOne Landscape Supply.
Visit SiteOne Hardscapes (opens in a new tab)Materials Design Center
Explore supplier collections, paste the product links you like into your project request, and we will confirm availability, suitability and pricing during design and estimating.
Explore all materialsHow We Build It
5 Steps
How a retaining wall is built
Site Assessment & Wall Plan
We review the slope, soil, water paths, access and what sits above and below the wall, and we flag anything that needs engineering or a permit.
Excavation & Base Trench
The trench is cut to depth, the soil is checked and the base is compacted so the first course sits level and firm.
Stacking Courses
Courses are set level and stepped back as the design calls for, with reinforcement where the wall needs it.
Drainage & Backfill
Drain rock and a drain pipe go behind the wall with a path for water to exit, then backfill is placed and compacted in lifts.
Caps & Final Grading
Caps are fixed, the grade at the top and bottom of the wall is shaped to shed water, and the site is cleaned.
Warranty & Credentials
What stands behind the work
Workmanship coverage and credentials are confirmed in writing with your proposal.
What Affects the Cost
Factors, not prices
What affects the cost of a retaining wall
Wall length & height
Longer and taller walls need more material, more excavation and more careful reinforcement.
Access
Material is heavy; how it reaches the work area influences labor and equipment.
Soil & excavation
Soft or wet soil, hard digging and soil removal change the preparation work.
Materials
Block, natural stone and boulders carry different material and installation effort.
Drainage
Drain pipe, outlets and connections to existing drainage are part of a proper wall.
Engineering & permits
Some walls need engineered drawings or permits, which add steps to the scope.
Every property is different. After we assess yours, your proposal sets out the written scope, options and pricing assumptions.
FAQ
Retaining Walls
Does my retaining wall need a permit or an engineer?
It can. Requirements depend on the wall height, what the wall supports, how close it is to property lines and which city or county you are in. We review this during the property assessment and tell you what applies.
Why is drainage such a big part of a wall?
Water trapped behind a wall adds pressure. Drain rock, a drain pipe and a place for the water to exit let the soil relieve that pressure so the wall can do its job.
Can you replace a failing wall?
In many cases, yes. We look at why it is failing, then recommend removal and rebuild or another approach once we see the site.
Can a wall also serve as seating?
Yes. We can build to a comfortable height and add a cap wide enough to sit on, usually around patios and fire features.
What does a retaining wall cost?
Wall length and height, access, soil, materials, drainage and any engineering all play a role. Your written proposal lays out the scope and pricing after we assess the property.
Let us build the space you have been planning
Tell us what you want to change and any materials that have caught your eye. We will help you understand the right next step.