Prices by size
| Wall size (length × height) | Area | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft × 2 ftSeating wall or raised bed | 40 sq ft of face | $1,600 |
| 30 ft × 2 ftLow wall along a bed or walk | 60 sq ft of face | $2,400 |
| 40 ft × 3 ftLeveling a sloped side yard | 120 sq ft of face | $4,800 |
| 50 ft × 3 ftFlattening a backyard | 150 sq ft of face | $6,000 |
| 60 ft × 4 ftHolding a real hillside | 240 sq ft of face | $9,600 |
| 100 ft × 4 ftFull-yard grade change | 400 sq ft of face | $16,000 |
How to measure your wall
Multiply the length of the wall by its height above the ground, in feet. That's the wall face. A wall 40 feet long and 3 feet tall is 120 square feet of face — about $4,800 at our starting price. If the height changes along the run, use the average.
What's included at $40 a square foot
Walls fail from water, not weight — so the drainage and the base aren't upgrades, they're the job.
- Excavation for the wall and the stone footer
- A compacted crushed-stone footer, 24 inches wide and 6 inches deep
- The first course buried below grade
- Segmental block from Belgard or Techo-Bloc, stepped back into the hill
- A foot of clean drainage stone behind the wall, full height
- Caps on top and a clean site when we leave
What raises the price
- Height over about 4 feet — engineered design, reinforcement grid and often a permit
- A driveway, pool or building above the wall
- Steps, curves, corners and tiers
- Tearing out a failed wall or a lot of dirt to haul off
- Natural stone or premium architectural block
- Tight access, where block has to be carried in by hand
When a wall needs an engineer
As a rule of thumb, walls holding back more than about four feet of soil — or anything with a driveway, pool or structure above it — need an engineered design, and many towns require a permit. Engineered walls are priced individually after we walk the site. We'd rather tell you that up front than build something tall that looks fine for two years.
Recent quotes from our area
Real estimates we've written recently, so you can see how projects add up. Every yard is different — yours gets its own itemized number.
Retaining wall with steps
$16,400 totalRetaining wall, backfill and new sod
$29,000 totalRetaining wall, dry creek bed and tree removal
$11,300 totalRetaining wall cost questions
What is the average cost to build a retaining wall?
Our block retaining walls start at $40 per square foot of wall face, installed with drainage. Most of the walls we build land between $6,000 and $35,000 depending on length, height and what the wall is holding.
How much does a 30 foot retaining wall cost?
A 30-foot wall 2 feet tall is 60 square feet of face — about $2,400 and up. At 3 feet tall it's 90 square feet, about $3,600 and up.
How much does a 100 foot retaining wall cost?
A 100-foot wall 3 feet tall (300 sq ft of face) starts around $12,000; at 4 feet tall (400 sq ft) around $16,000. Taller walls need engineering and are priced individually.
Does a 4 foot retaining wall need drainage?
Yes — every retaining wall does, and a 4-foot wall especially. We put a foot of clean drainage stone behind every wall, full height, and run perforated pipe out to daylight on walls with real height. Skipping drainage is the main reason walls lean.
What type of contractor builds retaining walls?
A hardscape contractor — the same kind of company that builds paver patios and outdoor living spaces. Taller walls also need a design from a licensed engineer, which a good hardscape contractor will tell you about before you sign.
More on how we build them: Retaining Walls in Gastonia & Charlotte →