How much does a retaining wall cost to build?
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? The national average cost for a retaining wall is around $25 – $50 per square foot. Here’s how to calculate the cost for your retaining wall project. In the US, the total average cost will run approximately $5,800.
How to calculate a stone retaining wall?
To do so, all you need to do is:
- Input the price of a single retaining wall block (and that of a cap block, if you chose that option at the top of the calculator)
- Input the price of gravel per unit weight - any unit will do.
- The calculator will provide with your total retaining wall cost.
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 much stone do I need to build a wall?
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.
How much should a stone retaining wall cost?
Stones can also be measured and sold by the ton. Use this equation to figure out how much stone you need to build a stone wall: (length in feet x width in feet x height in feet) / 27 = cubic yards of stone needed.
How do I estimate the cost of a retaining wall?
The average cost to build a retaining wall is $20 to $50 per square foot or $40 to $300 per linear foot. Installing a 50' long retaining wall costs $4,000 to $10,000 on average. Retaining wall labor costs $10 to $30 per square foot and material prices are $5 to $20 per square foot on average.
What is the cheapest 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.
Which is cheaper wood or stone retaining wall?
Concrete retaining walls are generally more expensive than timber retaining walls which is something that you will need to keep in mind when you are setting your budget but a well built concrete retaining wall will last for 60 years or more, so it should never need replacing.
How long do retaining walls last?
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.
How do you build a natural stone 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...•
How do you save money on a retaining wall?
If you like the look of concrete, you can save money by choosing interlocking concrete blocks, which can cost as little as $15 per square foot. The wall will be just as strong and just as durable, but you may be able to spend half as much on the materials. Interlocking concrete is also the best option for durability.
What can I do instead of a retaining wall?
5 Retaining Wall Alternatives for Your Backyard LandscapingReinforced Soil Slopes. SNAG Our FREE Design Software. ... Natural Stone Walls. Natural stone walls are retaining wall alternatives that can be used for a number of purposes. ... Wooden Timbers. ... Gabion Walls. ... Soil Bioengineered Walls.
What is the longest lasting retaining wall?
Concrete and Masonry Retaining Walls Poured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.
What is the easiest retaining wall to build?
What is the easiest retaining wall to build? Short walls under three feet high and constructed of concrete blocks or masonry blocks are the easiest type of wall for DIYers to build. They are ideal landscape solutions for a front yard or raised flower bed.
Can I build a retaining wall myself?
Choose a DIY-friendly building material. Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it's best to use concrete retaining wall blocks, which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive.
What type of stone is used for retaining walls?
The three best types of stone for retaining walls are concrete blocks, poured concrete, and dry stacks. Each brings a different look and feel to the yards they're in. A few other stone options include brick, wood, dry boulder, and gabion. You can add stone veneer to most types of retaining walls.
What’s the cheapest type of retaining wall?
Wood and masonry retaining wall block are the two cheapest materials to use for building retaining walls. With wood, 100 square feet of rail ties o...
What’s the easiest retaining wall to build?
On a do-it-yourself basis, the easiest type of retaining wall to build is one made of retaining wall blocks that stays below 36 to 48 inches—the he...
How long do retaining walls last?
While it depends on the type and quality of the retaining wall—along with the condition of the soil, water drainage and maintenance—retaining walls...
How large does a retaining wall’s footer need to be?
For stability and safety, retaining walls need to rest on a stable footing, usually concrete. A rule of thumb for sizing retaining wall footers is...
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Contractors
On average, building a retaining wall costs $23 per square foot. For the more budget-conscious, retaining wall prices average at $19 per square foot. On the upper end, retaining wall costs are around $50 per square foot.
Retaining Wall Cost Per Square Foot
As with other building materials such as pavers or roofing, square footage is a convenient way to compare the cost of different types of retaining wall materials. The length of the retaining wall multiplied by its height helps you calculate its total square footage.
Retaining Wall Cost by Material Type
The type of materials used for the retaining wall is a two-tier factor in the overall cost of the retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Block Costs
Retaining wall block has become one of the most popular types of materials to build retaining walls. With its front lip and tipped back profile, it is one of the few materials designed expressly for retaining walls.
Retaining Wall Labor Cost
Along with the cost of materials, the second half of the pricing equation—and sometimes the most important half—is the cost of labor to build the retaining wall.
Bottom Line
The type of retaining wall that you choose depends as much on your needs as on your budget. If you need to replace a retaining wall that is in danger of falling down or if you have a slope dangerously encroaching on your property, building a functional, safe retaining wall of any type is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wood and masonry retaining wall block are the two cheapest materials to use for building retaining walls.
How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?
The average cost to build a retaining wall is around $50 per sq.ft. This includes both the materials and labor costs.
How much does a reinforced wall cost?
It’s also made of masonry or concrete, and usually starts with a concrete slab. It will have steel bars embedded and costs between $20 and $25 per square foot.
How tall should a retaining wall be?
Many landscapers will also build retaining walls. However, if you plan on having the wall be more than 4-feet in height or you have special concerns about the weight of the area being held, you will need to involve a structural engineer in the project.
What is retaining wall made of?
Retaining walls can be made out of an extensive range of materials. Some will be dictated by the type of wall, while others may be dictated by the height of the wall. In some instances, the only differences may be cosmetic and personal, as they relate to your landscaping.
Why do we need retaining walls?
The main use of a retaining wall is to retain soil. They help prevent soil erosion that can come from hills; a retaining wall creates a sharp divide between two elevations and stops soil from running downhill.
What is a counterfort wall?
A counterfort wall is essentially a cantilever wall that has “wings” or sections moving off in different directions on the sides. This is a good wall for pool areas or for framing sections of landscaping. They are also made of masonry or concrete that is reinforced with steel bars and cost between $20 and $25 per square foot.
How much does a criblock cost?
It’s constructed into a grid pattern that allows the concrete to drain better than a solid wall. They cost between $25 and $30 per square foot to construct.
What is a retaining wall?
A retaining wall is any structure that holds soil in place behind it. As such, they’re instrumental in preventing a landslide from destroying property and endangering lives. They’re used for a wide range of applications both large and small. These include: Enormous soil-retaining projects alongside highways.
What is the most important part of retaining walls?
Yet, the most important part of retaining wall construction is the materials they’re made from.
What is a segmented retaining wall?
Segmental retaining walls are a type of reinforced gravity wall that works well for both residential and commercial sites. They’re especially good for high-sloped terrain and usually have no height restrictions.
What is a block retaining wall made of?
They’re made from heavy materials like concrete blocks, cast-in-place concrete, or stone. Block retaining walls work well in these settings as they automatically form a setback that helps support the pressure of the soil behind the wall.
How to use gabion mess walls?
Gabion mess walls are most often used along streams to prevent erosion. They consist of rectangular wire mesh baskets filled with rocks. The next step is to stack the ‘bricks’, angle them back against the slope, and tie them together. Gabion mesh walls only last as long as it takes for the metal basket to corrode.
How high should a gravity wall be?
They’re usually short walls under 4-feet high, so they’re cheaper to build. Gravity walls are self-supporting up to 10-feet, although you’ll need a permit to build one higher than 4-feet.
Which wall lasts the longest?
The more durable materials like concrete and stone will last longer. A brick wall has the longest lifespan of all. Choosing a knowledgeable contractor’s the best way to ensure your wall lasts as long as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Stone Wall by Size?
Stone walls are deceivingly tricky to design. It's not just about puzzle-piecing stone together with a bit of mortar. Nearly all stone walls require their own footing and foundation as well as a drainage system to work with the natural flow of water beneath the ground.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Stone Wall Near You?
The average national range to build a rock wall runs from $2,250 to $7,800, but where you live has a significant say in your bill. Factor in local permit costs, the price of materials, and, most importantly, local labor prices.
What Kind of Stone Wall Can I Get on My Budget?
The two main numbers to consider are materials and labor. If you want a small yet upscale stone accent wall—like one that lines a small rock garden—labor costs will be lower. However, you may decide to use a more expensive natural stone for this project, increasing the cost of your rock wall.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Stone Wall Yourself?
Your local laws will likely dictate whether building a stone wall yourself is the right plan, even if it saves you money upfront. As we mentioned, labor is by far the largest expense—cut this out and you're left only with the cost of materials, equipment, and permits.
Stone Wall Cost Breakdown
The best masons and contractors will break down your estimate by cost. If you have a moment of sticker shock, stone wall construction costs can run a bit higher than expected when you break down the extra line items.
How Much Does a Stone Wall Cost by Style?
Stone walls can elevate your sprawling landscape into the head-turning envy of the neighborhood. Walls add natural levels that double as steps, seating, and opportunities for colorful flowers and shrubs to offset the stone.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Build a Stone Wall?
No two landscapes are the same, and with it, neither are two stone walls. A handful of factors can nudge the price in one direction or the other.
How to use the retaining wall calculator?
The retaining wall calculator may seem complicated at first, but don't worry! Just follow this simple set of instructions, and you will get your calculations done in no time.
Retaining wall formulas
The beauty of our retaining wall calculator is the fact that it does all the work for you. We understand, however, that you might be in the mood to do the maths yourself, and hereby present you with all the necessary equations!
