$16 Per Square Foot, Installed<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
The average cost to install a block retaining wall is about $16 per square foot or $1,600 for a local professional installation of a 20\u2032 long x 5\u2032 high wall (100 sf). If taking the DIY method, the same 100 sqft retaining wall cost is about $700 or $7 per square foot.<\/p>\n
Typical Range<\/p>\n
$12 \u2013 $19 \/ Sqft<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n High End<\/p>\n $38 \/ Sqft (Pro)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022<\/p>\n Low Estimate<\/p>\n $950 \u2013 $2,200<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Average Cost Estimate<\/p>\n $1,400 \u2013 $2,900<\/p>\n<\/th>\n High Estimate<\/p>\n $2,100 \u2013 $3,800<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Sections: Overview | Product Costs | Installation Cost | DIY or Pro | Web Compare | Shared Pricing<\/p>\n <\/img><\/p>\n A block retaining wall provides visual appeal\u00a0to the landscape while giving stability to the earth it is holding, whether a sloped or excavated area or garden bed. Made from precast concrete blocks that often have a locking flange or lip for stability, block retaining walls last indefinitely when properly installed. As opposed to a wood retaining wall, concrete blocks last longer and look better for many years with very little maintenance.<\/p>\n This Costimate gives you detailed block retaining wall cost estimates for materials, supplies and the labor required to install one if you don\u2019t do it yourself. Our goal is to assist you in planning the block retaining wall cost and the time required to build your retaining wall to prevent erosion, or a block landscape\u00a0wall to showcase your yard.<\/p>\n The costs in this section\u00a0covers block retaining walls up to three feet high. Beyond that height, special materials and techniques are required to give high retaining walls necessary strength and stability. With that parameter in mind, here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to consider in preparing a budget for your block retaining wall.<\/p>\n Here are specific prices that will allow you to put a block retaining wall cost estimate together as if you were planning DIY installation.<\/p>\n These are retail costs. Landscape contractors typically have wholesale accounts with material suppliers, so might offer better pricing on similar materials to what you find retail.<\/p>\n There are a few miscellaneous expenses you might encounter that become \u201chidden costs\u201d if you don\u2019t know about them.<\/p>\n Your local building department will let you know if a permit is required. Most communities don\u2019t require a permit to build walls this size.<\/p>\n Note on Homeowner Associations: If you\u2019re part of an HOA, check the bylaws for rules about block walls. Violating the bylaws and having to modify, move or remove a block wall is a major unexpected cost.<\/p>\n Building a block retaining wall or garden wall is one of those home improvement projects in which the cost of labor is equal to or greater than the cost of the materials. As you get block wall estimates, expect the labor to be itemized at:<\/p>\n Now, here are the factors that will determine where on that cost spectrum your project falls:<\/p>\n Location of your Home<\/strong> \u2013 When the landscape crew must travel further and use more fuel to get to your home, cost estimates will rise.<\/p>\n Length of the Wall<\/strong> \u2013 Given two walls with an equal number of square feet of wall face, the longer wall will cost more to install due to the need to trench the base, add base material and construct drainage.<\/p>\n Stepped Walls \u2013<\/strong> If the wall is stepped to accommodate slope, it will take longer to build and cost more.<\/p>\n Removal of Obstructions\u2014<\/strong>Removing old walls, trees, roots, shrubs or other obstacles will raise the price according to the time added to the work.<\/p>\n Time of the Year \u2013<\/strong> When landscape companies are very busy, their rates are less competitive. In regions with cold winters, having the wall built as soon as conditions are suitable in the spring or just before the season ends in the fall might yield more competitive block retention wall prices.<\/p>\n Smart homeowners understand that getting bids from landscape companies that know they\u2019re competing for the work ensures the best block retaining wall price.<\/p>\n How long does it take to install a block retaining wall? Here\u2019s an estimate based on a wide range of projects.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what a typical schedule will look like for a crew of two people:<\/p>\n Day 1 \u2013 Digging the trench for the base row, pouring base material or gravel and tamping it down, installing the drainage system, beginning the wall<\/p>\n Days 2-3 \u2013 Completion of small to medium walls<\/p>\n Day 4 and beyond \u2013 Completion of larger walls<\/p>\n I\u2019ve installed small, block retaining walls, as well as small border type retaining walls out of landscaping timbers. I\u2019ve never put in a structural or timber retaining wall. That said, you\u2019re going to need a lot of skill and a good bit of help to get the job if you choose to do it yourself.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a moderately experienced DIY\u2019er, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll have much trouble installing your own timber retaining wall. However, I still think it\u2019s something left to the Pros.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" $16 Per Square Foot, Installed The average cost to install a block retaining wall is about $16 per square foot or $1,600 for a local professional installation of a 20\u2032 long x 5\u2032 high wall (100 sf). If taking the DIY method, the same 100 sqft retaining wall cost is about $700 or $7 per…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/hr>\nBlock Retaining Walls and Installation Costs<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \n<\/th>\n \n \n \n \n Estimated Length<\/td>\n 100 sf Wall<\/td>\n 100 sf Wall<\/td>\n 100 sf Wall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Block Type<\/td>\n Basic 11 \u2013 14\u2033 Blocks<\/td>\n Basic 11 \u2013 14\u2033 Blocks<\/td>\n Attractive 16\u2033 Blocks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cost Per \/ Vertical Sqft<\/td>\n $6-$8 \/ sqft<\/td>\n $8 \u2013 $15 \/ sqft<\/td>\n $12 \u2013 $30 \/ sqft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Installed By<\/td>\n DIY with Helper<\/td>\n DIY w\/Helper Or Pro<\/td>\n Pro Installation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Finish<\/td>\n Cast Concrete<\/td>\n Cast Concrete<\/td>\n Pebble Face or Natural<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Features<\/td>\n None<\/td>\n Cap \/ Seats \/ Curved Wall<\/td>\n Cap \/ Seats \/ Curves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Block Costs<\/td>\n $400 \u2013 $450<\/td>\n $0 \u2013 $450<\/td>\n Included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supplies<\/td>\n $200 \u2013 $350<\/td>\n $0 \u2013 350<\/td>\n Included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Install Difficulty (Yard)<\/td>\n Simple Wall on Simple Slope<\/td>\n Moderate Wall on Simple Slope<\/td>\n Advanced Wall \/ High Slope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Permit, Survey, Engineer<\/td>\n $75 \u2013 $325<\/td>\n $75 \u2013 $325<\/td>\n $75 \u2013 $325<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Overview of Landscaping Block Retaining Walls<\/h2>\n
Product and Supplies Cost Details<\/h2>\n
Block Retaining Wall Cost Factors<\/h3>\n
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Cost of Supplies<\/h3>\n
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Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs<\/h2>\n
Permits and Inspection<\/h3>\n
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Installation Cost and Time
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\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
Completed Installation Time<\/h3>\n
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DIY or Hire a Pro<\/h2>\n
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