On average, a retaining wall costs about $4,800.
Meet the Expert
Joe Raboineis Vice President of Design atBelgard, a provider of retaining wall products.
Average Cost
Retaining walls cost from $20 to $60 per square foot.
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Concrete Block
Concrete block retaining walls cost an average of $40 per square foot.
Concrete block is a popular bang out of material for retaining walls due to its durability and flexibility.
Wood retaining walls are simple for experienced DIYers to build.
Natural Stone
Natural stone retaining walls cost $56 per square foot.
Stacked natural stone retaining walls are generally more attractive than gabion walls since they blend in with the yard.
Size
The size of the wallboth length and heightdetermines its overall cost.
Concrete blocks don’t decompose and they aren’t easily damaged or cracked.
For visible areas, more expensive textured concrete blocks can be used.
You may need to level or slope the yard either before or after building the retaining wall.
Dirt can often be shifted around the yard.
However, large voids require you to purchase fill dirt and have it placed on your property.
Ayard of dirt costs$5 to $15 (a yard is one cubic yard).
Location
The retaining wall’s location and accessibility affect its cost.
Walls on the front of the property are easier to access than those in the back.
Walls built in the back of the property mean that heavy materials must be hauled farther.
In addition, fences may need to be removed and rebuilt to allow access to the back.
Additional Cost Factors
Remove Trees
Tree removal costs$875 per tree.
Tree stump grindingcosts about $300 per stump, with large stumps costing as much as $425.
Landscape or Repair the Yard
Building a retaining wall will damage some of the yard.
Some of the ground above the wall may be affected.
A significant amount of ground below the wall will be removed.
Also, the yard may be damaged by earthmoving equipment.
Build a Patio
A patio is a common replacement for ground removed below the retaining wall.
It costs $10 to $25 per square foot to build apatio with concrete pavers.
“These spaces extend the useable space and often dont add significantly to the overall cost.”
Installing a concrete block retaining wallcosts around $1,500 for a 10-foot-long wall.
“Walls under three feet can be completed as a DIY project,” Raboine says.
Small equipment can be rented to assist with the movement of materials."
Retaining walls may collapse over time due to pressure from water-logged earth behind the wall.
Concrete blocks are very durable and likely can be reused.
For one, smaller blocks, while easier to handle, are the most expensive.
Raboine says that larger blocks cost less than smaller blocks, on a square foot by square foot basis.
“There are large, commercial-style blocks that can also be used, which is typically more cost-effective.”
The ground needs to be dry.
Frozen ground in the winter may prevent you from building the retaining wall until the ground thaws.
Wood retaining walls are simple for DIYers to build on their own.
Retaining walls are expensive because many concrete blocks are required, and blocks are heavy and expensive to deliver.
A 25-foot-long by 3-foot-high retaining wall requires about 260 blocks.
The retaining wall will likely cost less than repairing the home, outbuilding, or detached living unit.
How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?Fixr.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Retaining Wall?HomeAdvisor.
