

Labor to build a retaining wall costs from $50 to $75 per hour. Generally, contractors will provide you with a quote that includes labor. Retaining Wall Labor CostĪlong 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. On the lower end of pricing, plain gray concrete retaining wall block, also 17 inches, can cost about four times less than decorative block: as little as $3.40 per block. Decorative 17-inch block costs about $570 per pallet, which covers nearly 35 square feet of wall face: about $12 per block. The cost of the retaining wall block forms the majority of the total cost of the retaining wall.

Not only that, their faces can be textured for decorative purposes. Large blocks are capable of holding back more soil and can be built higher. Larger size decorative retaining wall blocks are more expensive than smaller blocks. The greatest cost of retaining wall block is shipping since it is so heavy. Also, the masonry materials in retaining wall block are inexpensive to source and to produce. Retaining wall block will not degrade, nor does it require much in the way of maintenance other than occasional cleaning. With its front lip and tipped back profile, it is one of the few materials designed expressly for retaining walls. Retaining wall block has become one of the most popular types of materials to build retaining walls. On the average, natural stone retaining walls cost about $50 per square foot. Natural Stone Retaining Wallsĭepending on the type of stone used and the distance from the property to the supplier or quarry, natural stone retaining walls can cost from $25 to $75 per square foot. On the whole, wood retaining walls cost about $19 per square foot. Taking on the job by yourself can bring the cost down to as low as $10 per square foot. Wood Retaining Wallsįor wood retaining walls, you can expect to pay between $16 and $28 per square foot for a professionally installed wall. Averaged out, retaining wall blocks cost about $23 per square foot. On the upper end of the scale, for larger 16-inch decorative blocks and for extras like cap pavers and wall curves, expect to pay up to $30 per square foot. That’s $1,600 for a 100 square foot retaining wall-basic, with no extras and under four feet.
Retaining wall blocks professional#
Retaining block walls will cost $16 per square foot for the average professional installation. Not only that but there are fewer contractors and laborers who are familiar with the product in those areas. In some areas of the Midwest and Southwest, natural stone is not as common, so it must be shipped long distances. Railroad ties, often permeated with toxic creosote, may require special permitting in some areas or may not even be allowed. Stone rockeries require cranes, which may entail crane rental and even costs to control traffic. Second, the type of materials determines other factors such as the method of building, the need for deeper footers, labor force and more. Natural stone is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, the Northwest and the Northeast of the United States, so it is less expensive in those areas. This cost is dependent on location, season, market variations and local building conventions. The type of materials used for the retaining wall is a two-tier factor in the overall cost of the retaining wall.įirst, there is the cost of the materials alone. The second wall requires more robust materials such as large retaining wall blocks and may even require design plans reviewed by a structural engineer. Though both walls are 100 square feet, the first wall is so low that nearly any type of material can be used, even ordinary pressure-treated lumber. Higher retaining walls become exponentially more costly, especially after they surpass permit and inspection limits.įor example, a retaining wall that is 50 feet long and two feet high is vastly different from another retaining wall that is 20 feet long but five feet high. The height of the retaining wall is a major factor in determining the total cost of the retaining wall. The length of the retaining wall multiplied by its height helps you calculate its total square footage. 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.
