A retaining wall is a type of wall that is built to hold back earth, water, or other materials. It can be built to hold back soil from erosion or it can be used to create a flat surface that doesn’t slope down into another area. Constructing a concrete retaining wall is easy once you understand how it works and what materials you’ll need.
The first step in building your concrete retaining wall is to dig down into the ground. You want to dig down at least 8 inches deep and make sure the area you are digging through isn’t going to become an issue later on when it comes time for installing your tile. When you reach the bottom of this hole you will need to put a layer of gravel on top of it so that it doesn’t collapse when people begin building upon it later on down the road. Then place four more feet worth of concrete on top of this gravel then fill in all four sides with concrete as well; this will act as your foundation for your retaining wall structure which will sit atop these four-foot-high layers of concrete which we just laid down earlier today.
If you’re considering building a retaining wall, you’ve probably heard that it’s an inexpensive project. After all, what could be more basic than stacking rocks or concrete blocks on top of each other? But while the materials may indeed be inexpensive and simple to use, there is actually quite a bit that goes into installing a retaining wall. From digging out the foundation to pouring concrete into molds and securing them in place with rebar rods—it all takes time and money. To help you figure out how much your project will cost, let’s outline some of the most important factors that affect its final price tag:
What Is A Concrete Retaining Wall?
A concrete retaining wall is a structure used to hold back earth from sloping down. Retaining walls are used to keep soil from eroding, prevent landslides, and create level areas for building foundations.
Retaining walls can be made of concrete or other materials like brick or stone.
Cost To Build A Concrete Retaining Wall
The cost to build a concrete retaining wall depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the project. The type of material used also plays a role in determining cost. The labor cost associated with building a retaining wall can vary depending on where you live.
The average price for a simple concrete wall (without any accents) is anywhere from $2–$6 per square foot, depending on your location and materials used. For example, if you’re building in Los Angeles County and want an all-concrete structure with no mortar joints, then expect to pay around $3–$5 per square foot — though this figure may be higher or lower depending on how much detail goes into your design plans or how intricate they are (i.e., if they include arches).
Concrete Block Retaining Wall Cost
Concrete block retaining walls are the most affordable option for small projects. These concrete-filled blocks come in a variety of pre-cast shapes, including straight and curved segments that can be stacked to create any size wall you need. They’re also easy to build with minimal tools or experience, making them a good choice if you’re just learning how to build a retaining wall.
Cinder Block Retaining Wall Cost
As you may have guessed, cinder block retaining walls are cheaper than poured concrete. Because they’re made from cheap materials and require less labor, they’re easier to build. Cinder block walls can be built in a variety of styles and come in many shapes, so you can create exactly what you want with them. These types of walls aren’t as strong as poured concrete ones; however, this shouldn’t be a problem if the height of your retaining wall isn’t very tall (under 10 feet).
Poured Concrete Retaining Wall Cost
Poured concrete retaining walls are the most expensive type of wall. The cost of concrete varies by region, but it’s generally about $5.00 per cubic yard. So if you need a standard 8-foot high wall that is 3 feet wide and goes along 10 feet, then you will spend about $1,300 on the concrete alone.
The price can go up depending on whether you hire subcontractors or labor for digging out holes and pouring your own foundation for the wall. If you hire all of your materials yourself, then it could cost as much as $2–3/SF or $2–3/m if using precast blocks.
Stamped Concrete Retaining Wall Cost
Stamped concrete is a decorative and durable surface that’s made by taking a pattern or texture, stamping it into the surface of poured concrete, and then letting the cement harden. Stamped concrete can be used in commercial applications because of its durability.
Stamped concrete can cost more than regular concrete because it requires extra steps during the pouring process, as well as additional materials for finishing touches such as grouting or coloring agents.
What’s The Average Cost To Build A Concrete Retaining Wall?
- What’s The Average Cost To Build A Concrete Retaining Wall?
It’s hard to put a precise number on the cost to build a concrete retaining wall, because the size of your project will influence the average cost. In addition, the type of material used and how much work you do yourself will also affect your price. For example, hiring professionals to install pavers or stone in place of concrete could reduce or increase your overall budget by $500 or more per linear foot.
- Average Costs For Concrete Retaining Walls:
$2,500 – $3,000 – This is an average amount for installing a small 8-foot-tall wall with no additional landscaping involved (e.g., stone or plants). If you want more elaborate designs with curves and multiple levels then expect these figures to be higher since these require more labor hours than straight walls do (plus all those curves are gonna drive up material costs too).
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Building A Concrete Retaining Wall
Construction Materials
The raw materials used to build a concrete retaining wall can influence the cost of the project. In general, contractors prefer to use the best quality materials available for their work. However, lower-quality products may be cheaper and more readily available at construction sites. The following are some things you should consider when choosing which material is right for your project:
- Brick—Brick is one of the most popular options for building a concrete retaining wall. It’s sturdy enough to hold heavy loads but still looks attractive from afar or up close. The color of brick also helps it stand out against other types of walls made out of different materials like wood or plastic sheets.
- Stone—Stone is another common material used in construction projects due its durability and aesthetic value so if these traits matter most then definitely keep this option on your list before making any final decisions about what type might fit best based on budget constraints as well as personal preferences over time since both materials have similar properties when considering longevity (i e., durability) over time; however you’ll probably find that stone tends towards being more expensive than bricks so keep this fact mind before deciding whether or not using something else would save money overall by cutting costs elsewhere–like labor costs per hour worked during construction hours.
How To Hire The Best Contractor For Your Retaining Wall
When you’re looking for the best contractor to build your concrete retaining wall, there are several things that you should keep in mind. The first thing to do is ask for references. This will give you an idea of how satisfied other customers were with their finished project and whether or not they would hire that company again. Next, get several quotes from different contractors so that you can compare costs between them based on their experience, equipment used and overall quality of workmanship. You should also ask about their insurance and licensing as well as what kind of training they provide their employees before they begin working on your project. In addition, it’s important to find out if this contractor has any equipment specific for building retaining walls so that he/she doesn’t end up having to bring in extra workers just because he/she doesn’t have it already at his/her disposal.
Get the facts straight about concrete retaining walls when you’re planning your project.
When you’re planning a concrete retaining wall, it’s important to get the facts straight. You’ll want to get a quote from several contractors and ask for references from them. Also, make sure you know what permits are required for your area and that the contractor has insurance in case anything goes wrong. Getting a detailed contract is also important so there won’t be any misunderstandings about what is being done and how much it will cost.
Conclusion
The cost of your concrete retaining wall will vary depending on the size and materials you choose, but it’s important to remember that there are many factors that can help lower your costs. If you’re not sure how much a concrete retaining wall will cost in your area, contact us today so we can give you an estimate. We’ll help guide you through every step of planning and building your new project so there are no surprises down the road.
