How Much Does It Cost to Build a Retaining Wall?

Are you thinking about adding a precast retaining wall to your property? These installations can serve a long list of purposes in both residential and commercial use. Before you determine your wall’s type and purpose, the cost of a retaining wall can be challenging to pin down.

Retaining walls are constructed of different materials and vary in length, height, and size. The cost depends mainly on the material you choose. The average homeowner spends around $5,991 on a retaining wall, but there is an extensive range in the overall price. Retaining walls in the U.S. cost anywhere from $1,250 to over $15,000.

What are Retaining Walls Used For?

Retaining walls are a beautiful way to landscape your yard and can be used to create leveled tiers, divert water, shore up a foundation, stop soil erosion, and much more. They are also used in large-scale construction projects for roadways and canyons to shore up soil and create barriers.

The Different Types of Retaining Walls

The material you choose depends on your desired aesthetic, how durable you need the retaining wall to be, and what you will use it for. The top reasons homeowners choose to install retaining walls include:
Erosion Prevention
Slope Stabilization
Runoff and Water Drainage Management
Structural Support
Slope Elimination and Yard Expansion
Property Value and Curb Appeal

There are a lot of different materials you can use for a retaining wall. Some can be DIY, and others require professional labor. Let’s break down the different types of retaining walls, how they work, and how much you can expect to pay.

Concrete

If you choose concrete for your medium, there are many options, ranging between $10 and $100 per square foot. The most popular types of concrete walls are:
Cement, which is a softer, more budget-friendly option than concrete.
Shotcrete, which is a cheaper, faster option.
Concrete blocks, which allow for stacking and need to be reinforced with steel.
Poured concrete, which creates a solid, one-piece wall.
Precast concrete, which is a solid concrete piece cast off-site for increased quality.

Precast Concrete Retaining Walls

Precast concrete retaining walls are made in one piece or panel off-site and then transported and installed. They can be easily customized for your space with preferred colors and decorative accents and are reinforced with steel for added durability. Precast retaining walls can last 50 to 100 years when properly maintained. They cost $20 to $25 per square foot.

Vinyl

Vinyl retaining walls are the cheapest retaining wall option, both lightweight and compact. It is not very durable and cannot support a substantial amount of weight, but it is a budget-friendly DIY option that costs around $10 to $15 per square foot.

Wood and Timber

Wooden retaining walls are also a popular and affordable retaining wall option, ranging from $15 to $30 per square foot. Wood retaining walls are more susceptible to water damage but are a more eco-friendly option than others. Beware of railroad ties, as they are coated in a toxin (creosote) to prevent rot and are not allowed in many areas.

Brick

Brick retaining walls provide great curb appeal and come in various colors and patterns. They are usually one brick deep and reinforced with a block or poured concrete wall behind, costing $20 to $25 per square foot.

Rammed Earth

Rammed earth walls are made by compacting earth with a binder, like cement, and are an environment-friendly option. They are as strong as concrete and cost $20 to $25 per square foot.

Stone and Gabion

Gabions are rugged wire boxes filled with rocks and boulders that are both low-maintenance and cost-effective. They cost between $10 and $40 per square foot. Other natural or masoned (known as “wet stacking”) stone retaining walls cost more and range from $20 to $100 per square foot. Granite is the more affordable option, whereas limestone costs more.

Steel and I-Beams

Steel retaining walls also have a wide variety of costs ranging from $15 to $150 per square foot. I-beams are the most costly option. The price also goes up based on the type of steel you choose.