How much does it cost to install a retaining wall?
Written by HomeAdvisor. The average cost of building a retaining wall is $5,661. You’ll likely spend between $3,198 and $8,719, but some projects hit $14,000. You'll pay $20 to $60 per square foot or $30 to $150 per linear foot on average, with large, complex builds with high-end materials costing up to $125 per square foot.
How much does a boulder wall cost?
Installing boulder walls is fairly simple compared to segmental concrete retaining walls because each 3-foot to 4-foot boulder can be set with equipment, while blocks have to be stacked by hand. For this reason, the cost of these walls can range from $25 per face foot to $55 per face foot.
What is the best way to construct a retaining wall?
Some basic steps to help get the right solution for your next project include:
- Prepping and planning – taking careful measurements
- Selecting the right material – getting the right size for the scope of the job
- The installation itself – compacting base, accounting for drainage
- Reinforcement – does your wall need geogrid?
- Finishing with caps, corners or steps
How close can I build to a retaining wall?
Important points about retaining walls
- Don't forget to include movement joints in the wall and use piers on either side to increase strength at the movement joint position.
- If you're using two separate brick skins in stretcher bond, you have to provide reinforcement by tying them together. ...
- Use a high-bond damp proof course below the capping/coping and sandwich the DPC in mortar.
How much does it cost to build a boulder wall?
How much does it cost to build a segmental retaining wall?
Why are segmental retaining walls so strong?
What are the pros and cons of retaining walls?
What is a segmented retaining wall?
Why do concrete blocks shift?
Why are walls important in landscaping?
See more
What is the cheapest type of retaining wall?
What Is the Cheapest Type of Retaining Wall? The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
How long do boulder retaining walls last?
A solid natural or cut stone retaining wall will last between 50 to 100 years. It is easy to erect a stone retaining wall using a dry-stack method, without the need for mortar to hold it together.Sep 2, 2021
What is the cheapest rock for retaining wall?
Dry-Stack Rocks Dry-stack rock retaining walls are inexpensive because you can use rocks already in your landscape, or find them at quarries or construction sites at a lower cost than commercially available natural stones.
Why do boulder retaining walls fail?
1:557:36Why Boulder Retaining Walls Fail - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipComes from the sheer weight of the boulders. Being used small stones simply can't hold back bigMoreComes from the sheer weight of the boulders. Being used small stones simply can't hold back big banks. The second misapplication when building a boulder retaining wall is using a large boulder.
Do boulder retaining walls need drainage?
Due to the weight and shape of the rocks, no mortar is required when constructing a sturdy wall. A major advantage of boulder retaining walls is that they offer natural drainage. When residential retaining walls fail, it is most often due to poor drainage.
How do you maintain a boulder retaining wall?
Everything You Need to Know About Retaining Wall MaintenanceInspect the Wall Regularly.Don't Treat Your Wall Beforehand.Remove Debris From Any Drainage Pipe.Fill in Eroded Areas.Replant Any Dead Spots.Mar 4, 2019
How much should a stone retaining wall cost?
You would need a little less than 4 1/2 yards of stone to build your stone wall. But round up and buy at least 5 yards. If you can afford it, get 6 or even 7 yards. You can use any leftover stone that you have in a variety of other landscaping projects, ranging from water features to rock gardens to landscape steps.Apr 27, 2019
How do you build a fieldstone wall?
2:495:55How to Build a New England Fieldstone Wall by David CroteauYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet the base stones. Worked up with the building stones. And then capped behind the cab we put theMoreSet the base stones. Worked up with the building stones. And then capped behind the cab we put the crushed stone or. You know I'm he stone behind it and in soil and in box mouch.
How do you build a fieldstone retaining wall?
InstructionsOrganize the Stones. Organize the wall stones roughly by size and shape, making different piles as needed. ... Set up a Level Line. ... Excavate the Area. ... Add Landscape Fabric. ... Build the Wall Base. ... Lay the First Course. ... Lay the Second Course. ... Begin Backfilling the Wall.More items...•Jan 8, 2022
How many ton of boulders do I need?
Calculate Landscape BouldersCoverage (Square feet)400sq ftVolume (Cubic yards)2.5cu ydEstimated amount (Pounds)5,951lbEstimated amount (Tons)2.98tonAmount +15% compression3.42ton2 more rows
How long do retaining walls last?
Stone retaining walls should last somewhere between 40 and 100 years or more. Wood retaining walls last around 40 years. Stone and concrete retaining walls last between 50 and 100 years. Brick retaining walls last at least 100 years.Feb 22, 2022
How do you lay boulders in landscape?
2:023:02Using Boulders in the Landscape - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou make an or natural look from starting from the bottom up you're going to be starting with theirMoreYou make an or natural look from starting from the bottom up you're going to be starting with their bottom course not in your directly straight line but maybe patch.
About our Boulder Wall Installations
Boulder retaining walls for residential and commercial projects. Dundee has the experience and equipment to get it done. Often times we are called to repair old boulder walls that were put together incorrectly. You’ll want an experienced contractor to create a gravity wall like this.
Boulder Walls Cost Less than Standard Retaining Walls
To start off, boulders are relatively inexpensive. People are practically giving them away. It’s not the boulder but the sheer weight of it that can drive up the cost. Our process is simple. A delivery of boulders by volume, usually between 15 and 30 tons to a full truckload and then the machinery to place them.
How much does it cost to build a boulder wall?
For this reason, the cost of boulder retaining walls can range from $25 per face foot to $55 per face foot.
How much does it cost to build a segmental retaining wall?
The cost of installing a segmental concrete retaining wall starts at approximately $35 per face foot. Decorative or colored blocks can come in different colored and tumbled blends with finished front and back sides. These walls go up to $75 per face foot, including the preparation, installation and drainage.
Why are segmental retaining walls so strong?
Because segmental retaining walls are extremely sturdy, you can construct higher and steeper walls while retaining the force of the soil behind it. They will also flex and move a bit as the earth moves and, in that way, not suffer cracks the way a poured concrete structure would.
What are the pros and cons of retaining walls?
Pros of Segmental Concrete Retaining Walls 1 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks are the most stable wall materials and these walls can be built taller than any other wall. 2 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks shift and move with the earth to prevent cracking. 3 These walls can be built in tight spaces. 4 These blocks come in a wide variety of textures and colors. 5 A segmental concrete retaining wall provides a formal look. 6 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks are so versatile they can be used to retain slopes or hillsides or create multiple terraced walls.
What is a segmented retaining wall?
Segmental retaining walls consist of modular concrete blocks that interlock with each other. They are used to hold back a sloping face of soil to provide a solid, vertical front.
Why do concrete blocks shift?
Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks shift and move with the earth to prevent cracking.
Why are walls important in landscaping?
They can help solve a variety of problems in your landscape, as well as create unique planting opportunities. Retaining walls are most often used on sloped terrain to restrain soil and improve the value of your space.
How much does it cost to build a boulder wall?
For boulder walls, expect to pay a minimum of $20 to $55 per face foot (one square foot of the face of the wall) for labor and materials, as locally sourced boulders require time and expense to move.
How much does a boulder cost?
Boulders cost $400 to $500 per boulder, not including placement. Stacking often doubles the price. You may also need them drilled, shaped or placed in awkward areas, which adds to the price as well.
How much does a gabion wall cost?
Gabions are an affordable retaining wall, averaging $5 to $40 per square foot. Gabion walls are blocks made from wire cages filled with rocks or crushed concrete. They’re often used near waterlines or in areas with a shifting landscape, as they can adapt and move with the soil as it shifts, rather than cracking or tumbling. The main cost factor comes from the type of filler you use.
How much does a limestone retaining wall cost?
Limestone retaining walls cost $50 to $100 per square foot. Materials make up about half the price while delivery and installation make up the rest. They’re often large, heavy and cost about $300 to $400 per ton, plus delivery and installation.
How much does it cost to dry stack stone?
Dry stack stone costs $40 to $100 per square foot , depending on the stone you use. You’ll often find it cheapest to use a locally quarried variety, which lowers shipping fees. It’s one of the more expensive walls to build because stacking stone properly requires training and experience.
How much does it cost to deliver fieldstone?
Delivery depends on factors such as distance traveled and size of load. Local delivery for stone ranges from $100-$200 per load . Labor adds another $10 to $60 per square foot, depending on how you accomplish the project. For example, it doesn’t take a lot of work to set delivered stones that are approximately the same size. But collecting and fashioning a fieldstone wall can take 4 to 5 times longer than working with identical stones, increasing labor prices.
Do gabion walls need foundations?
Gabion walls typically do not need, nor have, foundations. But if you’re working in loose soil, you may want to lay down some gravel base.
Retaining walls -- concrete vs. boulder
I just realized my architect had specified boulder for our retaining walls... the house is super modern, I would have liked going with concrete instead.... but my budget is already busting at its seams, so what I'd like to find out is whether doing concrete is more expensive (and roughly order of magnitude - how much more)....
Comments (7)
Thanks for the comment, it helps! The retaining wall is about 2' tall, along the driveway. Nothing massive like what is shown in the picture.
How much does it cost to build a boulder wall?
For this reason, the cost of boulder retaining walls can range from $25 per face foot to $55 per face foot.
How much does it cost to build a segmental retaining wall?
The cost of installing a segmental concrete retaining wall starts at approximately $35 per face foot. Decorative or colored blocks can come in different colored and tumbled blends with finished front and back sides. These walls go up to $75 per face foot, including the preparation, installation and drainage.
Why are segmental retaining walls so strong?
Because segmental retaining walls are extremely sturdy, you can construct higher and steeper walls while retaining the force of the soil behind it. They will also flex and move a bit as the earth moves and, in that way, not suffer cracks the way a poured concrete structure would.
What are the pros and cons of retaining walls?
Pros of Segmental Concrete Retaining Walls 1 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks are the most stable wall materials and these walls can be built taller than any other wall. 2 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks shift and move with the earth to prevent cracking. 3 These walls can be built in tight spaces. 4 These blocks come in a wide variety of textures and colors. 5 A segmental concrete retaining wall provides a formal look. 6 Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks are so versatile they can be used to retain slopes or hillsides or create multiple terraced walls.
What is a segmented retaining wall?
Segmental retaining walls consist of modular concrete blocks that interlock with each other. They are used to hold back a sloping face of soil to provide a solid, vertical front.
Why do concrete blocks shift?
Segmental concrete retaining wall blocks shift and move with the earth to prevent cracking.
Why are walls important in landscaping?
They can help solve a variety of problems in your landscape, as well as create unique planting opportunities. Retaining walls are most often used on sloped terrain to restrain soil and improve the value of your space.
