Call now and book your a free estimate!
Retaining Wall Installation- The Only Guide You'll Ever Need!
Welcome homeowners, business owners, and landscapers themselves to 101landscapeideas.com! Here with yet another powerful article to give you the internets greatest and latest advice on making your landscape look beautiful! Here we have a guide that goes through everything about retaining wall installation, how much may it cost to build a retaining wall, and even how to install your own retaining wall should you want to do it yourself!
First things first- The Cost
Picture this: a beautiful stone block retaining wall, perfectly set up by pros to tame a sloped lawn—it’s the kind of thing that can really make your yard pop! At 101 Landscape Ideas, we know homeowners across the U.S. are usually spending between $3,000 and $9,000 for a new retaining wall like that, with most folks landing around $6,000 on average. If you’ve got a small garden wall on flat ground, you might get away with as little as $1,200, but if you’re dreaming of something bigger or more heavy-duty, like an engineered wall, it could go up to $15,000 or more. When you break it down, that’s about $20 to $60 per square foot of wall face, depending on the project.
It’s not just about the price tag, though—this kind of wall can solve real problems like erosion or drainage while making your space look amazing. Ready to explore what a retaining wall could do for your yard? Let’s figure out what works best for you!
The Cost Per Linear Foot of Wall
Let’s chat about what it costs to perform a retaining wall installation, in a way that doesn’t make your head spin. The price usually gets figured out by the linear foot, but here’s the deal—the taller the wall, the more it’ll cost for each foot. Picture a short 2-foot wall—it might run you around $40 to $200 per foot. But if you’re dreaming of something taller, like a 6-foot wall, that could climb to $300 or more per foot (that’s what Angi.com says). If you’re aiming for something in the middle, like a 4-foot wall, you’re probably looking at $80 to $200 per foot to get it done (according to HomeGuide.com). Oh, and just so you know, when people talk about “linear foot” pricing, they’re assuming a certain height—taller walls take more materials, extra support, and a bit more work, which is why the price per foot goes up.
I get it—numbers can feel like a lot to take in, but don’t worry! We’re here to help you sort it all out and find something that fits your yard and your wallet. What kind of wall are you thinking about? Let’s make it happen!
Cost by material type
Let’s break down how the material you pick for your retaining wall installation can change what you’ll end up paying—it’s a big piece of the puzzle! I’ll walk you through some common options and what they might cost, so you can get a feel for what works for you.
If you go with concrete blocks, or CMU, you’re looking at about $20 to $35 per square foot, including installation. These are super sturdy and budget-friendly, especially for structural walls—think around $60 to $210 per linear foot for a 3- to 6-foot-tall wall. Poured concrete is another solid choice, running roughly $20 to $45 per square foot. It gives you a smooth, seamless look and tons of strength, which is great for taller walls, though it might need some steel reinforcement to keep it steady.
Then there’s interlocking concrete blocks, which are around $15 to $35 per square foot installed. These are cool because they stack without any mortar and come in all sorts of styles—they’re a favorite for folks who like to DIY or want a curvy design. If you’re into a more natural vibe, natural stone walls—like boulders, fieldstone, or cut stone—can be stunning, but they range a lot, from $10 to $85 per square foot. They take more work to build, so the price depends on whether you’re going for a simple dry-stack or gabion rock wall, or something super fancy with high-end masonry.
Lastly, timber or wood walls, like treated lumber or railroad ties, are often the most wallet-friendly upfront, costing about $10 to $40 per square foot installed. They’ve got a cozy, natural look that’s perfect for landscape edging, but just a heads-up—they might only last 5 to 20 years, depending on the conditions. All these prices include both the materials and pro installation, but they can shift a bit depending on where you are and the details of your project.
It’s a lot to think about, but we’re here to help you find the material that fits your style and budget. What look are you loving for your yard? Let’s figure it out together
A 10 step installation guide on retaining wall installation
Materials needed:
Interlocking concrete retaining wall blocks
Crushed stone or gravel for base and backfill
Landscape fabric
Perforated drainage pipe (optional but recommended)
Masonry adhesive (for capstones)
Tools:
Shovel
The Spruce
Level
Tape measure
Tamper
Rubber mallet
Handyman Startup
String line and stakes
Wheelbarrow
Chisel and hammer (for cutting blocks)
Step 1: The plan and the design of your retaining wall
Let’s dive into planning your retaining wall installation—it’s really not as tricky as you might think! First, pick where you want your wall, then decide how long and tall it should be. Think about what you need it for—are you trying to flatten out a sloped yard, set up a little garden bed, or keep the soil from sliding away? All amazing benefits of a retaining wall- then take a moment to sketch out your vision, marking down the size and any curves or angles you’d like to add. Doing this first really helps you figure out how much material you’ll need and makes sure your wall looks like it was just meant for the yard.
Step 2: Marking the layout
Let’s get that retaining wall mapped out—it’s easier than it sounds! Grab some stakes and a string to outline where your wall’s going to sit. If you’re keeping it straight, just pop a stake at each end and pull the string nice and tight between them to make a perfect line. Want a curvy design instead? No problem—use a garden hose or some spray paint to draw out the path you’re imagining. Take a second to make sure it looks just right, because this outline is going to be your trusty guide when you start digging and building.
Step 3: Excavate the trench
Excavate! The fancy word for dig! It’s a key step to make sure everything stays sturdy! Start by digging along the outline you marked, creating a nice spot for the base of your wall. You’ll want the trench to be wide enough—about twice the depth of the blocks you’re using—so there’s plenty of room for support. (The part where you put the dirt over the wall to hold it in place) For depth, aim for around 6 to 8 inches, plus a little extra that’s about one-tenth of your wall’s height to tuck the first row of blocks partly underground. So, if your wall’s going to be 3 feet tall (that’s 36 inches), you’d dig an extra 3.6 inches down (since 36 divided by 10 is 3.6). This little trick of burying the first layer helps keep your wall super stable, so it won’t tumble over in a few years.
Step 4: Prepare the base
After excavation:
Level the Trench: Use a tamper to press down and compact the soil at the bottom of the trench, until it’s nice and firm
Add Crushed Stone: Now Pour 4 to 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel into the trench.
Compact the Base: Pat down the gravel thoroughly to prevent settling, So it makes a strong stable base for your wall.
Step 5: It's time for the first course of blocks!
The first row of blocks is the most important step so you don’t have to go back and do everything all over again!
Place the Blocks: Set the first block at one end of the trench. Use a level to ensure it’s both level and even to the whole layout.
Continue Laying Blocks: Place subsequent blocks end-to-end, checking each one for level and alignment. Adjust by adding or removing gravel beneath the blocks as needed.
Cut Blocks if Necessary: For curves or to fit the layout, you may need to cut blocks. Use a chisel and hammer or a masonry saw for precise cuts.
Step 6: Establish Proper Drainage
Effective drainage prevents water buildup behind the wall, which normally causes pressure and instability:
Lay Landscape Fabric: Make sure to drape landscape fabric along the back of the wall, extending it up the slope. This barrier prevents soil from clogging the drainage area.
Install Drainage Pipe: Place a perforated drainage pipe at the base, behind the first course of blocks, directing water away from the wall. (VERY important)
Add Gravel Backfill: Pour gravel over the drainage pipe and behind the wall so it’s easier for water to move through.
Step 7: Backfill and Compact
- Backfill in Layers: After each course of blocks, add gravel directly behind the wall, then add more soil afterward
- Compact the Backfill: Use a tamper to compact the backfill material, that will reduce the risk of settling so the wall will stay stable.
Step 8: Keep building!
Proceed by adding additional courses:
Offset the Blocks: Put the joints between blocks in each row, similar to bricklaying, to enhance strength. (See image below for details)
Set Back Each Course: Slightly step back each row, meaning to make sure each row isnt totally even) towards the retained soil to improve stability and resist soil pressure.
Check Alignment: Regularly use a level to ensure the wall remains straight and true.
- Backfill in Layers: After each course of blocks, add gravel directly behind the wall, then add more soil afterward
- Compact the Backfill: Use a tamper to compact the backfill material, that will reduce the risk of settling so the wall will stay stable.
Step 9: Time to cap the wall!
To make it look more presentable and still be sturdy:
Select Capstones: Choose capstones designed to fit your blocks, usually the people you buy it from would tell you which one they are but in case you forgot, they are the longer, smoother, flat and rectangular.
Apply Adhesive: Use masonry adhesive to glue on those capstones for your retaining wall installation.
Align and Secure: Just make sure each capstone is aligned properly before the adhesive sets.
Step 10: Success!
Now you can relax, sip on a nice glass of lemonade bought from the local lemonade stand, and take pride in your newly retained wall! Hope that didn’t take you too long!
Call now and book your a free estimate!