We design, fix, and replace retaining walls
We are your experts in retaining walls for the Westfield and Union County areas!
Retaining walls are a fantastic addition to any landscape, particularly if your property has a slope. By building a retaining wall, you can reclaim valuable space, transforming sloped areas into functional outdoor spaces. These walls are designed to hold back soil and earth, creating level areas for new garden beds, lawns, patios, outdoor cooking spaces, parking, and more. Retaining walls can be constructed using various materials such as rocks, bricks, blocks, boulders, or even wood.
What are the benefits of having retaining walls on your property?
Are you looking to prevent soil erosion on your property?
Is your current retaining wall damaged and in need of repair or replacement?
Do you have a sloped area that you'd like to transform into a landscaped space?
Are you interested in creating a new outdoor living area?
Would you like to add raised garden beds around your home or property?
We are a professional landscaping company based in the Westfield area, proudly serving Butler County, including communities like Mason, West Chester, Fairfield, Hamilton, Harrison, and Cincinnati. As an experienced hardscaping contractor, we specialize in designing and constructing segmental retaining walls tailored to your needs. Whether you’re looking to address a sloped area of your property or create more defined levels in your outdoor space, we can help. From a smaller retaining wall to secure earth near your home, to larger, complex walls for terraced landscapes, our team is committed to providing a custom retaining wall solution that suits your unique property.
Construction Of New Retaining Walls
We specialize in the construction of new segmented retaining walls. The benefits of segmented retaining walls are numerous. They are aesthetically pleasing, offer design flexibility, are economical, easier to install, and highly durable.
Additionally, they are pre-engineered, which means the wall can be constructed according to your project specifications without the need for an architect or engineer to design it. We can build the wall to meet engineering requirements and have a qualified engineer sign off on the project if the height or size of the wall requires it.
Retaining Walls & Building Permits in Union County, New Jersey
In most of Union County (your municipality may vary), retaining walls under 3 feet in height typically do not require permits or design plans. However, there are specific factors that may or may not apply to your situation. If the retaining wall is 3 feet or higher, a permit is generally required. For retaining walls exceeding 6 feet in height, both a permit and an engineered design will be necessary to ensure the wall is structurally sound. Please note, this information does not take into account any covenants that may be in place on your property.
When we assess your property, we’ll provide guidance on any specific building codes that may apply based on the height/length of your wall, its intended purpose, and any surcharges (weight) that may affect the soil above and behind the wall.
Understanding Retaining Wall Surcharges
A 'surcharge' in the context of a retaining wall refers to the weight placed on top or behind the wall. For instance, if you're constructing a retaining wall to accommodate a parking area for a boat or RV, the weight of the vehicle will need to be factored into the design to ensure the wall can handle the load.
If your retaining wall is subject to a surcharge, it must be designed with this in mind to ensure its durability. This includes tiered retaining walls, walls with a fence on top, or any additional weight beyond the earth it is holding back.
To provide additional tensile strength, geo-grid is often used to anchor each course of the retaining wall to the ground behind it. Proper application of geo-grid ensures your retaining wall is built to last, preventing it from collapsing or buckling under the added weight.
Improper stabilization of retaining walls is another common cause of failure
What Materials Are Used for Retaining Walls?
There are a variety of materials available for building your retaining wall. Below are some of the most commonly used materials in our area due to their accessibility.
Block Retaining Walls
Natural Stone Retaining Walls
Large Boulder Retaining Walls
Our Retaining Wall Construction Process
When constructing a retaining wall on your property to prevent soil erosion, there is little margin for error. If the wall exceeds 6 feet in height, we work directly with engineers to ensure proper design and stability. Additionally, there are several pre-engineered systems we can utilize, which can eliminate the need for detailed building plans.
Initial Consultation: We begin with a thorough consultation to discuss your project.
Wall Length: We determine the total length of the retaining wall required.
Wall Height and Permits: We assess the height of the wall and whether a building permit or engineer is necessary.
Surcharge Consideration: We take into account any surcharges (weight) the wall might be exposed to.
Material Selection: We consult with you on the materials you'd like to use for the retaining wall.
Written Estimate: We provide an accurate, detailed estimate for the work.
The amount of work needed to construct a retaining wall can vary greatly from project to project. Factors such as the slope of your property, the amount of earth the wall must hold back, and the overall accessibility of your site all play a role in determining the final cost. We will provide you with an accurate estimate after conducting a site visit.
What Is the Cost of Building Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls can vary in price based on factors such as size, scope, length, height, and the materials selected. Larger walls may require engineering, which can increase the overall cost.
Smaller Garden Walls
$3,000 - $10,000
This price range covers small garden walls (under 2 feet high), typically used to enclose a small garden or landscaping bed.
Medium-Sized
Walls
$10,000 - $30,000
This range is for walls up to 4 feet high, installed with proper drainage and geo-grid to ensure durability.
Large Retaining
Walls
$30,000 - $100,000+
This estimate applies to very large or tiered retaining walls, or multiple walls with courses that are 4 feet or higher.
Retaining Wall Projects May Include
A beautiful retaining wall isn’t just for aesthetics; it serves an important purpose. Whether we are building a brand new retaining wall or replacing an existing one that has failed, there are several key steps we take to ensure the wall functions properly.
Proper Excavation
Drainage Installation
Built-in Stairs
Cap Stones (for looks)
Proper Base Materials
Geogrid (for stability)
Decorative Stone
Engineering
These prices do not include stairs. If you need stairs incorporated into your retaining wall, there will be an additional cost. These price ranges apply to a typical wall built using readily available landscape block. We offer a wide variety of styles and patterns, and we'll provide you with options during our consultation. The price can vary significantly depending on the material you choose.
These prices are ballpark figures to give you a rough idea of what to expect. Your specific project may vary based on factors like site accessibility, materials chosen, and the overall scope of work. For a firm price, please request a consultation. During this on-site visit, we’ll assess your project, discuss your ideas, and determine the exact scope of work. After the consultation, we'll provide you with a firm estimate for your project.
Retaining Wall Repair Or Replacement
We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed or collapsed.
Retaining Wall Repairs
It's common for us to be called to repair an existing retaining wall that has collapsed or failed in some way. This could involve an old wood retaining wall that is rotting away or a block wall that is bulging or on the verge of collapse.
Typically, we don't recommend repairing retaining walls. The wall has failed for a reason, often due to poor construction or the use of inadequate materials. When a wall fails, we usually recommend removing and replacing it. This process includes demolition of the old wall, re-excavating the area for proper base materials, installing proper drainage, and ensuring correct backfill. In most cases, building it right the first time is the more cost-effective solution.
Rebuilding Failed Retaining Walls
If your existing retaining wall has failed and needs to be replaced it's usually more cost effective to demolish the old wall, remove the materials, re-excavate the site, install a proper base, geo-grid if necessary, install drainage, and build the retaining wall properly.
We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and would be happy to provide you with a consultation if you have a wall that you believe needs to be replaced.
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