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In This Article
Highlights
What is a retaining wall ? Retaining walls can prevent territory erosion , hold a foundation in place , beautify a K , divert water , and facilitate drain . They can be made of various materials and built to any size , length , and height . But what does a retaining wall cost ? The cost to build up a retaining paries depends on several constituent , but according to Angi and HomeAdvisor , the terms ranges from $ 3,199 to $ 9,196 , with the interior average at $ 6,060 .
The final price bet on the keep bulwark materials , the size of the bulwark , engineering , location , reenforcement , and decorative finishes . Since every keep on wall undertaking is unique depending on the size and materials , trade union movement costs can also fluctuate . look on materials , toil can run between $ 50 and $ 75 per hour or $ 10 to $ 50 per square foot . Interlocking retaining wall blocks results in faster construction than using other materials , like hand - stacked stone .
Before search online for “ inexpensive retaining wall idea ” or “ how to build a retaining wall , ” keep read for important information regarding factors in calculating retaining wall cost , types of material , and essential questions aboutretaining wall installment .
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Factors in Calculating Retaining Wall Cost
Several factors can touch retaining wall costs . toll can be different from the national average due to the material , location , size , height , accessibility of the country , proletariat costs , permit fee , dirt , land site preparation , corporeal delivery fees , sealing , geographical location , and the time of year .
Materials
The eccentric of material will impact lying-in prices and the project ’s overall toll . The character of textile used to build a hold back wall depends on personal predilection , although the required size and height of the wall can also dictate the material . Some homeowner prefer to mix and match different materials to create visual pastime while reinforcing the function of the structure . cloth admit concrete , gabion and stone , brick , wood or woodland , railroad tie , brand , I - radio beam , and rammed globe . Each textile has its reward , benefit , and pricing per linear infantry .
Wall Location
The location and the amount of reenforcement are substantial factors that impact retaining rampart costs . Since no two retaining walls are the same , it ’s important to recognize the function of the bulwark and cautiously translate how much force it needs to withstand . Here are some vulgar locations for retaining walls and their price per running foot .
Size and Height
When calculating retaining wall costs , it ’s of the essence to consider the bulwark ’s length , top , and width . textile and childbed costs are dependant on the overall size . Keep in mind that the large the retaining bulwark , the stronger a instauration it will need .
Accessibility
Easier admittance to the placement where the hold back wall will be built will allow heavy earthmoving machines to do most of the workplace . Expect to make up more for manual labor in difficult - to - access area .
Labor and Permits
Labor costs run from $ 50 to $ 75 per hour or $ 10 to $ 50 per straight foot . If the positioning where the hold wall is being ramp up is unmanageable to access , the area will need staging and reinforcement . exist gate and fences may need to be removed as well . In a situation like this , prepare to pay the higher destruction of the labor idea . Walls over 4 feet tall and wall that need to hold back a meaning amount of weight will take to be designed by a morphological applied scientist . This process will be more since it will take more sentence and effort to design and build the wall .
In many country , a permission is required if the continue wall is over 3 or 4 pes tall . Homeowners should check their local regulations regarding hold back walls before starting the project . Permits normally cost between $ 50 to $ 450 .
Type of Drainage
Since the function of a retaining wall is to cease erosion and facilitate drain , the retaining wall ’s design is important . Drainage can be contrive into the rampart by using drainage pipes , rag and weep holes , or a criblock design . If there is a retaining wall on the property but it does n’t drain , it may need to be rebuild . Sometimes a contractor can fag out the sphere behind the wall and place gravel at the base to ensure drainage , but this is not always possible . If it ’s not , a contractor may need to take out the wall and rebuild it . Excavating to remedy drainage issues can cost $ 60 to $ 70 per linear foot . The cost to demolish the existing wall stray from $ 20 to $ 30 per straight foot , not including bring drainage or building the new wall .
Type of Soil
The soil case plays a significant ingredient in deciding the type of retaining wall that will go the skilful for the area . Some retaining walls work better in certain type of soil than others . The dirt may need to be compacted or modify to drain and withstand the wall ’s weighting . arenaceous grime are sound for drain , and clay soil will not be capable to support a bulwark ’s weight . Getting a geotechnical story on the soil will show the chemical holding , groundwater conditions , and any issues with the soil .
Site Preparation
Before a retaining wall can be built , the site needs to be excavated and pull down . This involves acquit the land and pack the soil so the bulwark will be plane . The price of clearing realm can melt down between $ 500 and $ 1,000 , calculate on the location , status of the land , and size of the construction site . solve difficult terrain can ply from $ 1,500 to $ 3,000 per Akka , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree removal can cost from $ 300 to $ 700 per tree , and landed estate rate browse from $ 0.40 to $ 2 per straight understructure .
A level of gravel or sand can be used to ensure right drainage , or a contractor can put in drainage pipe or weep holes every 6 to 8 feet . Other drainage options admit installing filter framework or a footing drain . Keep in mind that some of these option turn better in certain conditions , and not every option will be used when installing a retaining rampart .
Material Delivery
Some contractile organ may charge an extra pitch fee , depend on the stuff . The vulgar price is usually between $ 30 and $ 100 per truckload for brick , gemstone , or concrete retaining rampart blocks .
Waterproofing
To ensure a retaining bulwark lasts decades , it needs to be waterproofed . This typically costs between $ 2 and $ 10 per square metrical foot . The price is usually include with the overall cost of the labor , but it ’s always dependable to demand the declarer about waterproof . If the continue wall is n’t waterproofed , body of water can seep into the wall and damage its morphologic integrity .
Geographic Location
Certain eccentric of retain paries go well in some geographical locations than others . Steel retain paries are not used in coastal areas since the material can rust . railway line tie-in are banned for use as retain wall material in some areas . Permit , construction , and labor fees are all unlike in each state and metropolis . It ’s authoritative to get quote from contractors in your arena for exact pricing .
Additional Costs and Considerations
When budgeting for retaining bulwark cost , it ’s good to hump about any extra costs and considerations . These can include extra servicing , reinforcement , extra shite fill , and customizations .
Time of Year
While retaining walls can be instal at any time of the yr , it may be more for construction and labor costs to dig below the frost credit line when the ground is frozen .
Additional Services
Longer retaining wall and those over 4 feet high will typically need a morphologic engineer to design them . Hiring a morphological engineer , house decorator , or professional landscape painting designer will add to the project ’s overall price .
Reinforcements
A concrete keep back wall typically require reinforcement . Lateral support is commonly inserted with rebar , or reinforcing bars . Rebar can be inserted horizontally and vertically , depending on the require reinforcer . extra reward is commonly used in retaining walls that are taller than 4 feet . The cost to put in rebar runs from $ 0.80 to $ 1.60 per square substructure . Taller and farseeing wall necessitate deep footing with different fill textile for extra reinforcement . Structural engineers will design the rampart to preclude it from collapse .
Additional Dirt Fill
If extra fill shite is require , it can be between $ 150 and $ 600 per truckload , or $ 15 to $ 50 per yard .
Customizations
Retaining walls can be easily customise to complement the expression of the surroundings or enhance the region for harbour . Retaining wall minimal brain damage - ons include :
Retaining Wall Material Types
The keep wall material can be the most expensive part of the labor . It ’s significant to know the pricing of stone , woodwind , sword , concrete , and other material to keep your budget on raceway .
Concrete
Concrete retaining paries can cost between $ 10 and $ 100 per solid face foundation . The chief types of concrete walls are cement , shotcrete , rain buckets concrete , and precast concrete . cementum is not as hard as concrete , but it ’s a budget - favorable option . Shotcrete may be one of the most low-cost concrete retaining walls , and it ’s a quicker installation than cast - in - plaza concrete . Poured concrete and precast concrete are typically the most expensive options . Concrete stop are empty and will call for to be reinforced with steel .
Gabion and Stone
Gabion and stone retaining walls can range from $ 5 to $ 100 per hearty foot . Gabion walls are made from conducting wire cages that are satisfy with rocks . Since they do n’t involve concrete terms , they ’re easy to set up and can stabilize the soil while handle landscape shift .
Stacked Stone can be used for taller , tiered , and decorative wall . Dry - stacked stone hold walls apply gravity to keep the paries together . These are typically cheap to install than wet - laid stone wall that bank on howitzer . instinctive stone rampart cost between $ 25 and $ 75 per square animal foot . Limestone is a more expensive selection and can cost between $ 50 and $ 100 per square understructure .
Brick
The price of instal a brick retaining bulwark is between $ 10 and $ 45 per hearty foot . This stuff act as a facing on the bulwark . One stratum of brick is affix to a retaining wall made of blocks or stream concrete . Brick can be used for a tiered or tall wall to make a definitive flavor .
Wood or Timber
woodwind instrument is a pop and budget - friendly material and costs between $ 15 and $ 30 per square foot . Timber retaining walls are typically used in gardens or to remold sloped area . Wood hold back wall drainage must be installed aright since the material is prostrate to piss damage . right waterproofing and drain will allow a wooden retaining wall to last for decades .
Railroad Tie
ordinarily seen in older homes , railroad tie retaining walls usually cost between $ 25 and $ 30 per substantial foot . Today , this material is less common because railroad track ties can be coated in toxic creosote . Be sure to threefold - assay if railroad line tie-up are an approved fabric for retaining wall in your area .
Steel
blade retaining walls run $ 40 to $ 60 per square fundament . customer in coastal areas typically choose for galvanized sword since it survive longer . Corten steel is the strongest steel pick that withstands rust , but the Mary Leontyne Price increases to $ 75 to $ 125 per square foot for this material . Homeowners can save 25 to 50 percentage of the cost by using a concrete or wood wall that ’s face with a sheet of Corten steel .
I-Beam
I - beam retaining walls rate from $ 40 to $ 90 per satisfying metrical foot . As one of the most expensive options , I - beam walls , also call soldier pile , are made with vertical I - shaft place into holes and fix with concrete . Precast concrete panels or wooden slats are positioned between the beam of light to create the wall . These type of walls are commonly used to foreclose grime eating away or as holding line markers .
Rammed Earth
Rammed earth retaining wall cost between $ 20 and $ 30 per square foundation . These walls are created by mix grease with a binder to produce a healthy complex body part . The most common binder is concrete , which enhances the wall ’s strength . Since fewer material are required for this , it ’s a more environmentally favorable choice .
Do I need a retaining wall?
Retaining walls are used for many rationality , including stain wearing away bar , landscape maintenance , and optic interestingness . If your property has issuing with corrosion or piddle drainage , a retaining paries may be take . Here are some other rationality a property may postulate a retaining wall .
Erosion Prevention
Retaining walls are useful for preventing grease erosion and keeping sloping ground in good precondition . For grounds with septic storage tank , retaining wall are used to build up up the orbit and make a visual roadblock to the other share of the property .
Water Barrier
If a holding is have issues with water drain or it ’s near a trunk of pee that needs to be protect , a retaining wall can facilitate . Retaining wall near a shoreline foreclose erosion and hold back the body of water . A wall is also helpful if stormwater pools around a structure ’s foundation garment .
Slope Stabilization
Sloping state typically want a retaining paries to prevent filth erosion . Building a retaining wall in a sloping area will necessitate regrading the country . It ’s usually more difficult to construct a paries on a slope since it ’s an unstable area .
Existing Retaining Wall Issues
If an existing retaining wall on the property need replacement , the toll will be the same as build a newfangled one , plus the tot up complaint to demolish the old one . The area will also ask to be prepped and regraded . A retaining rampart fails due to its age , improper construction , or poor reenforcement .
Benefits of Installing a Retaining Wall
build up a retaining rampart has many advantages , such as preventing landslides , stabilizing hilly landscapes , providing flood ascendancy , sum functional space to a yard , and increasing the overall time value of a home .
Yard Expansion
While hilly and sloping land may be what draws a homeowner to a property , it ’s windy to apply on a day-to-day basis . By put in a retaining wall or series of walls , the landscape painting can be transform into a flat area that can be used as a garden or terrace .
Curb Appeal
look on the material used for the retaining wall , it can beautifully counterpoint with the beleaguer rude landscape painting . wall can double as seating areas and role as an additional geomorphologic feature outside the rest home . Building a hold wall can bring up to 15 percent to the economic value of a household and a 100- to 200 - percent return on investment .
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Shorter , smaller retaining walls made from ironic stacked Lucy Stone or concrete engine block can make agood DIY undertaking . But since taller walls want reinforcement , it ’s important to not build a retaining rampart tall than 3 or 4 foot on your own . And while shorter bulwark are easier to build , it can be difficult to see they ’re structurally good without the proper knowledge and experience .
If a wall is built incorrectly , the wall can cave in and damage the skirt landscape . If a retaining paries need to be rebuilt , the additional costs to demolish and haul away the material will quickly lend on to the price of rebuilding . Keep in head that some locating require a morphologic engineer to project a retaining bulwark and a professional to build it . For these understanding , it ’s generally a good idea to engage a professional to build a retain wall .
How to Save Money
Budgeting for hold back wall costs can be challenge , and the additional fees affiliate with the job can quickly add up . Homeowners may be tempted to search for inexpensive , cheap retaining rampart ideas , but there are other ways to save without compromise what you require .
Questions to Aska Pro
Asking the correct interrogation about retaining paries costs can minimize miscommunication and save money . Here are some questions to ask a retain bulwark installation professional .
FAQs
Staying within your budget for retaining paries costs can be daunting . Here are some oftentimes asked inquiry about keep on wall cost to assist guide you in your decisions .
Dry - stacking masonry blocks no taller than 3 feet is the easiest way tobuild a retaining wallfor the average DIYer . Those with masonry experience should have no trouble using trench mortar and build up a wall with other fabric . Those with no DIY experience should contact a professional person to design and install a retaining wall .
dead . A keep wall can add up to 15 percent to a home ’s value and an average of 100- to 200 - percent return on investing .
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calculate on the wall material , the timber of the soil , the groundwater , and right sustentation , a keep wall can last between 25 to 100 years .
Article Sources
Angi , HomeAdvisor , Fixr , HomeGuide
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Photo: istockphoto.com
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