07 Feb 2023 / by Aqua Blue Custom Pools / 0 Comments

How Much Does It Cost To Install a Retaining Wall?

The average cost for a retaining wall is $23 per square foot. You can find cheaper options if you're on a budget, but they can cost as much as $50 per square foot. Retaining walls are used to stop soil from washing away and to create flat spaces. Masonry, wood, and stone are the most popular materials for these walls, because they are affordable and easy to build.

When do you need a Retaining Wall?

A Retaining Wall can be really helpful when you have steep land that is invading your space. If your slope is more than 35 degrees, it’s important to build a wall to keep your land stable. It depends on the type of soil you have, but you can build a wall in any type of weather. Just be careful when digging in cold temperatures since the ground can freeze.

Costs of retaining wall blocks

No matter what the cost of the block is, it is important to remember that the cost of labor, excavation, and installation of the retaining wall can be just as important as the cost of the block. You will need to factor in the cost of hiring a professional contractor to make sure that your investment is worth it.

Per Square Foot Cost of a Retaining Wall

The cost of a retaining wall will depend on the size. A Wall fifty feet long and two feet high can
be made with ordinary wood, while a Wall that is twenty feet long and five feet high will need
more sturdy materials like big retaining wall blocks. A structural engineer may need to review the design plans for the bigger Wall.

Retaining wall materials and cost per square foot:

Block for retaining walls: $16 – $30
Wood: $10 – $28
Natural stone: $25 – $75

Cost of retaining walls based on material type

The cost of building a retaining wall depends on what type of material you use. Natural stone is popular in some areas, like the Northeast, Northwest, and Pacific Northwest. It's usually less expensive in those areas. Other materials like railroad ties can be toxic, so you may need special permits. Shipping natural stone to other parts of the country, like the Midwest or Southwest, can also be costly.

Building with different materials might also require different construction methods, extra costs like crane rentals, and footers of different depths. All these things can affect the cost of your retaining wall.

Natural Stone Retaining Walls

The cost of natural stone retaining walls can vary from $25 to $75. It depends on the kind of stone used and how far away the quarry is from the property. Generally, it costs around $50 per square foot.

Block Retaining walls.

If you need a retaining wall, you can expect to pay around $16 for each square foot. For a 100- square-foot wall, that would equal $1,600. Some special blocks, such as ones that are 16 inches in diameter or that have curves, might cost $30 per square foot, but usually, they are about $23 per square foot.

Wood Retaining walls

Got wood? Retaining walls can be an easy and affordable way to spruce up your yard. Professionals charge about $16 – $28 per square foot to build a wall, but if you do it yourself, it can cost as low as $10 per square foot. Wood walls usually cost around $19 per square foot. So why not give it a go?

Cost of retaining walls

Building a retaining wall can cost you money. It can cost between $50 and $75 an hour for labor to construct a wall. Consulting with a structural engineer can cost between $100 and $200 an hour. Different types of walls and the season can also affect the cost. Workers may be semi-skilled or unskilled and need to dig footers, carry blocks, and haul gravel. Skilled workers may be needed to construct wood retaining walls. Rockery walls that are safe and attractive are an art form that should be left to skilled and better-paid workers.

Bottom line

When deciding on retaining walls, what you need and your budget are essential to consider. You need a safe, functional wall to protect your property and replace any existing walls that might be in danger of falling. If you're just doing an optional home renovation project, you can build a wall that looks nice and fits into your budget. Even if you don't have a lot of money, you can still build a wall that is low enough for you to do yourself.

How Much Does It Cost To Install a Retaining Wall?

Cost of retaining walls based on material type

Cost of retaining walls

Bottom line

Give us a call at (832) 912-7665