Concrete Retaining Wall Construction — Built to Hold, Built to Last
A retaining wall has one job: to hold the soil back. That sounds simple. But a retaining wall that fails does not just look bad, it can bring a hillside down, destroy a garden, undermine a driveway, or damage a structure sitting above it. Retaining wall failures are expensive, dangerous, and almost always caused by cutting corners during construction.
We build concrete retaining walls that stay put. We dig the footings deep, size the wall correctly for the height and soil pressure it needs to handle, reinforce it throughout, and, this is the one most contractors skip, install proper drainage behind it so water pressure cannot build up and push the wall over.
We have built retaining walls on sloped properties, tiered gardens, alongside driveways, and below structures. Every single one got the same treatment: built right, drained right, finished right.
Our Concrete Retaining Wall Services Include
We handle all aspects of concrete retaining wall construction for residential properties:
Poured concrete retaining wall construction for slopes and grade changes
or service
Concrete retaining wall construction alongside driveways and paths
Tiered concrete retaining wall systems for multi-level properties
Concrete block retaining wall construction
Retaining wall drainage installation, aggregate, pipe, and weep holes
Old retaining wall demolition and full replacement
Engineered Retaining Walls: Professional Solutions for Slope & Erosion Control
The right retaining wall solution depends on the height of the wall, what it is retaining, what is sitting above it, and the drainage situation. We assess all of these before recommending the right approach.
Why Drainage Is the Most Important Part of Any Retaining Wall
Drainage aggregate, crushed stone, directly behind the wall to allow water movement
Perforated pipe at the base of the wall to collect and redirect water away
Geotextile fabric to prevent soil migration into the drainage aggregate over time
Weep holes through the wall face near the base as a secondary release point
Surface grading above the wall to direct rain away from the retained area
All drainage solutions included in the quote, not treated as optional extras
Working Process
Retaining wall jobs involve excavation, drainage, forming, pouring, and backfilling, all in the right order. Here is how we handle it:
Consultation
We visit your property, look at the slope, the soil, and what is sitting above the wall location. We measure the height and length of the wall needed and assess the drainage situation. You get a full written quote that covers everything, no separate charges for drainage or backfill that magically appear later.
Design & Work
We excavate for the footing, set the forms, place all the rebar, and pour. Before we backfill, we install the drainage layer, aggregate, pipe, and fabric. Then we backfill in lifts and compact properly. No shortcuts on the steps, you will never see them once they are finished.
Completion & Aftercare
When the wall is done, we will walk around it with you. We show you the weep holes, explain how the drainage works, and tell you what to watch for in the first few seasons. We clean the site before we leave. If the wall ever moves or gives you any concern, call us, we stand behind what we build.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the retaining wall construction process work?
We start with a free site visit and a written quote covering all the work, including drainage. Once you approve, we excavate for the footing, set forms, pour the wall, and install drainage behind it, then backfill and finish. We walk through the finished wall with you and clean up completely before leaving.
How tall can a concrete retaining wall be?
For residential properties, poured concrete retaining walls can be built to almost any practical height when they are designed and reinforced correctly. Walls under four feet are relatively straightforward. Walls above four feet require more careful sizing of the footing, wall thickness, and rebar. Very tall walls may benefit from a tiered approach instead.
Why is my existing retaining wall leaning or cracking?
Almost always drainage. Water trapped behind the wall builds up pressure and pushes the wall forward over time. Sometimes it is also a footing issue, the footing was not deep enough, and frost is moving it seasonally. We assess both when we come to look at the wall.
Do you include drainage in your retaining wall quotes?
Always. Drainage is not optional on a retaining wall, and we do not treat it as an add-on. Every retaining wall quote we give includes drainage aggregate, perforated pipe, geotextile fabric, and weep holes. It is part of building the wall correctly.
