How much does a retaining wall cost?
How much does a retaining wall cost?
$20 – $50 cost per square foot
$40 – $300 cost per linear foot (2’ to 6’ tall)
$4,000 – $10,000 average total cost (50’ long wall)
Retaining wall cost
The average cost to build a retaining wall is $20 to $50 per square foot or $40 to $300 per linear foot. Installing a 50’ long retaining wall costs $4,000 to $10,000 on average. Retaining wall labor costs $10 to $30 per square foot, and material prices are $5 to $20 per square foot on average.
| Linear feet | 2’ tall | 4’ tall | 6’ tall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $400 – $1,000 | $800 – $2,000 | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| 15’ | $600 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $3,000 | $1,800 – $4,500 |
| 25’ | $1,000 – $2,500 | $2,000 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $7,500 |
| 50’ | $2,000 – $5,000 | $4,000 – $10,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| 100’ | $4,000 – $10,000 | $8,000 – $20,000 | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| 150’ | $6,000 – $15,000 | $12,000 – $30,000 | $18,000 – $45,000 |
| 200’ | $8,000 – $20,000 | $16,000 – $40,000 | $24,000 – $60,000 |
* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to build a retaining wall by type
The cost to build a retaining wall is $4,000 to $10,000 on average or $20 to $50 per square foot, depending on the material, size, and construction method.
| Wall material | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $10 – $40 |
| Stone | $10 – $85 |
| Block | $15 – $55 |
| Metal | $15 – $150 |
| Concrete | $20 – $45 |
| Brick | $30 – $60 |
*Total cost installed.
Retaining wall cost per square foot
A retaining wall costs $20 to $50 per square foot on average or up to $150 per square foot for complex layouts, specialty materials, and sloped or limited-access sites.
| Wall type | Total cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Cinder block (CMU) | $20 – $35 |
| Poured concrete | $20 – $45 |
| Rammed earth | $20 – $30 |
| Precast panels | $25 – $40 |
| Interlocking modular | $15 – $35 |
| Brick | $30 – $60 |
| Lock and load | $25 – $55 |
| Large concrete blocks | $20 – $45 |
| Dry stack stone | $20 – $85 |
| Boulder rock | $25 – $50 |
| Gabion | $10 – $40 |
| Wood and timber | $10 – $40 |
| Railroad tie | $20 – $30 |
| COR-TEN® steel | $35 – $135 |
| I-beam | $35 – $150 |
| Sheet piling | $15 – $30 |
| Stone veneer wall | $30 – $80 |
| Landscaping wall | $15 – $30 |
| Driveway retaining wall | $30 – $60 |
| Seawall | $50 – $100 |
*Prices include materials & installation.
Cost to build a retaining wall by height
A 6-foot to 8-foot-high retaining wall costs $120 to $400 per linear foot on average. Building a 10-foot to 20-foot-high retaining wall costs $200 to $1,000 per linear foot and typically includes multiple stacked terrace levels.
| Height (feet) | Cost per linear foot |
|---|---|
| 4’ | $80 – $200 |
| 6’ | $120 – $300 |
| 8’ | $160 – $400 |
| 10’ | $200 – $500 |
| 20’ | $400 – $1,000 |
*Total cost installed.
Timber or wood retaining wall cost
A wood retaining wall costs $10 to $40 per square foot, depending on the site preparation, wood type, and design. Timber materials prices fluctuate annually according to availability.
| Wood type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Wood and timber | $10 – $40 |
| Railroad tie | $20 – $30 |
*Total cost installed.
Railroad-tie retaining wall cost
A railroad-tie retaining wall costs $20 to $30 per square foot installed. Railroad-tie walls are easy to build but only last 10 to 20 years due to rotting and pest damages.
Some homeowners associations prohibit creosote-treated railroad ties due to potential health hazards.
Block, brick, or concrete retaining wall cost
A concrete retaining wall costs $20 to $45 per square foot installed, depending on the material and construction method.
Installing a stacked-block or brick wall costs $15 to $60 per square foot, depending on the block type, size, and complexity.
| Wall type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Poured concrete | $20 – $45 |
| Concrete cinder blocks (CMU) | $20 – $35 |
| Interlocking concrete blocks | $15 – $35 |
| Bricks | $30 – $60 |
| Lock + Load brand blocks | $25 – $55 |
| Large concrete blocks (2’ to 6’ wide) | $20 – $45 |
| Rammed-earth mix | $20 – $30 |
| Precast panels | $25 – $40 |
*Total cost installed.
A poured concrete retaining wall costs $20 to $45 per square foot installed.
Building a segmental retaining wall costs $15 to $35 per square foot. An interlocking concrete-block retaining wall costs $45 to $210 per linear foot. These prices are for 3’ to 6’ tall walls with a mortar-less design.
Lock + Load brand retaining walls cost $25 to $55 per square foot installed. These modular-type block walls work well in earthquake-prone areas, commercial applications, and on slopes.
Cinder block retaining wall cost
A cinder block retaining wall costs $60 to $210 per linear foot for walls 3’ to 6’ tall, or $20 to $35 per square foot. Total costs depend on the wall size, foundation depth, wall finish, and the amount of grout filling and rebar reinforcements.
Brick retaining wall cost
A brick retaining wall costs $30 to $60 per square foot installed. These walls typically consist of poured concrete or cinder blocks covered by a single layer of face bricks.
Rammed earth / Earth chalk retaining wall prices
A rammed-earth or chalk retaining wall costs $20 to $30 per square foot installed. These walls consist of highly compacted clay, sand, and often cement. Installers typically reinforce these retaining walls with rebar for extra strength.
Stone retaining wall cost
A large stone retaining wall costs $10 to $85 per square foot on average, depending on the choice of stones, design, and installation method.
| Type | Cost per square foot | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-stack stone | $20 – $85 | Common materials include fieldstone, limestone, keystone, and slate installed on a compacted-gravel base without mortar. |
| Boulder rock | $25 – $50 | Rock retaining walls are typically less than 4’ tall, don’t need drains, and require site access for an excavator. |
| Gabion | $10 – $40 | These rock-filled wire boxes are quick to install, require little maintenance, and easily adapt to shifting landscapes. |
*Total cost installed.
Metal or steel retaining wall cost
A metal or steel retaining wall costs $15 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the type and installation method.
| Metal type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Corten steel | $35 – $135 |
| I-beam | $35 – $150 |
| Sheet piling | $15 – $50 |
*Prices include materials & labor.
COR-TEN steel retaining wall cost
A COR-TEN® steel retaining wall costs $35 to $135 per square foot installed. This weathering steel forms a protective rust coating that's maintenance-free. COR-TEN® steel is unsuitable for areas with high humidity, standing water, or near coastlines.
Install a concrete or wooden wall faced with a thin layer of Corten steel to save up to 50% of the cost.
I-beam retaining wall cost
Building an I-beam retaining wall costs $35 to $150 per square foot, depending on the depth and design. I-beam retaining walls, or “soldier pile walls,” are ideal for supporting the heavier weights of decks or pools on hillside properties.
Sheet-piling retaining wall cost
A sheet-piling retaining wall costs $15 to $50 per square foot installed. Sheet-pile walls are the thinnest wall type, made of steel, and have concrete or wood caps on top.
Ideal for retaining soil on shorelines
Galvanized or vinyl-coated steel types for wet climates and coastal areas
Requires space for installation with heavy machinery
Cost factors to install a retaining wall
The cost to install a retaining wall depends on site conditions and many other cost factors:
Size – Taller, longer, and thicker walls need stronger foundations and additional reinforcements than basic garden walls.
Design – Complex walls with curves, steps, openings, and other designs increase labor time.
Site prep
Land clearing costs $1,500 to $3,000 per acre for difficult terrain.
Land grading costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
Tree removal costs $300 to $700 per tree.
Excavation – Removing old retaining walls and dirt costs $125 to $225 per cubic yard, including disposal.
Foundation – Concrete footings cost $18 to $55 per linear foot, depending on the wall type, size, depth, and soil conditions.
Reinforcements – Adding steel rebar costs $2.50 to $5.00+ per square foot extra. Building codes often require rebar to strengthen a wall against earthquakes.
Location – Labor costs are typically higher in metropolitan areas.
Site access – Working on slopes, hard-to-access sites, limited access for heavy machinery, and removing gates increases labor time.
Backfill – Additional fill dirt costs $150 to $600 per truckload delivered or $15 to $50 per yard.
Delivery – Stone, brick, or concrete block delivery costs $30 to $100 per truckload on average.
Drainage – Installing a drainage system costs $10 to $30 per linear foot to prevent flooding and erosion.
Permits – A permit costs $50 to $450 on average, depending on the wall type, size, and location.
Planning – Retaining wall engineering design plans cost $100 to $220 per hour from a structural engineer or landscape architect.
Landscaping – Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour for additional yard work or repairs.
Landscaping fabric – Landscaping fabric costs $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot to lay behind the retaining wall.
Land survey – A property line survey costs $200 to $1,200.
Waterproofing – Sealing walls costs $2 to $10 per square foot.
Retaining wall labor cost
The labor cost for building a retaining wall is $40 to $80 per hour or $10 to $30 per square foot. Prices vary by location, wall type, construction method, and complexity.
| Labor type | Labor cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $40 – $80 |
| Per square foot | $10 – $30 |
*Labor cost only.
Retaining wall blocks and materials prices
Retaining wall block and material prices are $5 to $20 per square foot on average. The cost of concrete blocks for retaining walls is $1 to $10 per block or $2 to $20 per square foot without installation.
| Material | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Cinder blocks (CMU) | $2 – $3 |
| Interlocking concrete blocks | $4 – $20 |
| Large concrete blocks | $6 – $8 |
| Poured concrete | $4 – $7 |
| Wood / timber / railroad ties | $6 – $10 |
| Boulder rock | $15 – $35 |
| Stacked stone | $10 – $45 |
| Stone veneer | $6 – $24 |
| Gabion (Aggregate) | $5 – $20 |
| Brick | $4 – $9 |
| Steel / metal | $10 – $20 |
| Rammed earth / chalk | $10 – $15 |
*All prices excluding installation labor.
Interlocking retaining wall blocks prices are $2 to $10 per block for materials or $45 to $210 per linear foot installed.
Large retaining wall block prices are $25 to $100 per block for materials. Installing large concrete retaining wall blocks costs $60 to $270 per linear foot.
Cost of building a retaining wall on a slope
Building a retaining wall on a slope costs $25 to $100 per square foot. Building a sloped-backyard retaining wall costs up to twice as much in labor due to:
Extra excavation
Leveling and compacting soil to create terraces
Installing wall materials at an angle with tie-back reinforcements
| Terrain | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Flat land | $20 – $50 |
| Moderate slope | $25 – $75 |
| Steep hill | $40 – $100 |
*Includes material and installation.
Retaining wall finishing costs
Adding granite, brick, or stone veneer to an existing retaining wall costs $10 to $45 per square foot extra. Stamping concrete retaining walls costs $5 to $15 per square foot to add a design to existing walls.
| Finish type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Stone veneer costs | $10 – $45 |
| Brick veneer costs | $8 – $18 |
| Granite | $19 – $45 |
| Slate | $15 – $35 |
| Stucco costs | $3 – $9 |
*Materials & labor cost for adding to existing walls.
Concrete cinder-block walls are the most common base of veneer-coated walls.
Additional retaining wall options costs
Additional retaining wall options to add on include:
Fencing – The cost to fence a yard is $5 to $25 per linear foot.
Deck – The cost to build a deck is $3,600 to $20,000 on average.
Patio – A concrete patio costs $1,200 to $4,300 on average.
Grass – Sod installation costs $0.90 to $1.80 per square foot.
Mural art – Murals cost $10 to $40 per square foot for a custom wall finish.
Outdoor kitchen – An outdoor kitchen costs $2,000 to $20,000 on average.
Lighting – Outdoor lighting costs $2,000 to $5,000 on average or $200 to $500 per fixture.
Cost to rebuild or replace a retaining wall
The cost to rebuild or replace a retaining wall is $30 to $70 per square foot on average. Removing a retaining wall alone costs $10 to $20 per square foot.
| Work type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Remove old wall | $10 – $20 |
| Install new wall | $20 – $50 |
| Total | $30 – $70 |
Good to know: Debris disposal costs $125 to $225 per cubic yard extra.
Retaining wall repair cost
Retaining wall repair costs $200 to $1,000 on average, depending on the size, wall type, and damage severity. Old retaining walls with extensive damage often need replacing with excavation work.
Retaining wall cost estimator by location
Retaining wall costs depend on the installation location, purpose, and reinforcements required.
| Wall type | Cost per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Landscaping wall (1.0’ to 1.5’ tall) | $15 – $45 |
| Driveway retaining wall (1’ to 2’ tall) | $30 – $120 |
| Seawall (3’ to 6’ tall) | $150 – $600 |
*Prices include materials and labor.
Landscaping wall cost
Installing a landscaping wall costs $15 to $45 per linear foot for 1.0’ to 1.5’ tall garden walls. Landscaping walls for decorative purposes typically don’t require a foundation.
Driveway retaining wall cost
A driveway retaining wall costs $30 to $120 per linear foot for 1’ to 2’ tall walls made of natural stone or interlocking concrete blocks. The materials chosen depend on the wall size and slope.
Revetment wall cost (lake/seawall)
Building a 100’ long sea wall costs $15,000 to $60,000 on average, depending on the material, height, and shoreline accessibility. A revetment wall costs $150 to $600 per linear foot using vinyl, steel, wood, or concrete materials.
DIY retention wall cost
Building a DIY retaining wall costs $4 to $20 per square foot for materials alone. Retaining walls more than 3’ tall typically requires a structural engineer, permits, and installation by a licensed builder.
Low-cost or cheap retaining wall materials include:
Railroad ties cost $15 to $25 each.
Concrete cinder blocks cost $1 to $5 per block.
Interlocking blocks cost $2 to $10 per block.
Gravel costs $10 to $50 per ton for a wall footer and backfill.
Retaining wall FAQs
How long do retaining walls last?
A retaining wall lasts 50 to 100 years on average, depending on the material, installation quality, soil condition, and maintenance frequency.
| Wall material | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|
| Concrete | 50 – 100 |
| Stone | 50 – 200 |
| Metal | 20 – 40 |
| Wood | 10 – 40 |
How high can a retaining wall be?
A retaining wall can be 3' to 6' high. A terrace of multiple retaining walls on a slope can be a total of 15' to 20' tall maximum.
Do retaining walls add value?
Retaining walls add value to a home if installed in a high-quality landscape design that boosts curb appeal.
When do you need to build a retaining wall?
You need to build a retaining wall when:
The foundation suffers water damage from storm runoff.
Yard soil is eroding off the property in landslides after it rains.
Storm water pools up on the lawn.
You want to convert slopes into garden space.
Rainwater runoff from a neighbor’s hill flows onto the property.
Hiring retaining wall builders
Before hiring a landscaper or masonry contractor near you, be sure to:
Compare at least 3 bids from various contractors.
Look for installers certified by the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) or the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA).
Beware of the cheapest quotes that often signal low-quality work.
Check company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Pick licensed, insured, and bonded companies with years of experience.
Don’t pay in full upfront. Use a payment schedule.
Keep an itemized bid listing all costs.
Questions to ask
What are the best materials for this retaining wall, and why?
Can you match the wall color to my home exterior?
Will a structural engineer help design a retaining wall for my soil type, yard slope, and drainage system?
Can I see a scaled wall design before construction?
Are all materials and labor charges in this quote? What extra fees can apply?
Can I see a portfolio of other retaining walls you’ve built?
How long have you been making retaining walls in this area?
Will this wall need a concrete or compacted-gravel footing?
Will you notify the utility company before digging?
Do I need additional drainage near the base of this wall?
Will you pull the permits and manage site inspections?
What kind of backfill and landscape fabric will you install behind the wall?
How should I contact the team supervisor?
What happens if the crew encounters unexpected project delays?
How much space will the contractors need?
Will contractors clean up after the wall is complete, and does that cost extra?
Do you hire subcontractors, and if so, are there extra fees to direct them?
What do I get in your warranty, and how long does it last?
How long will this construction take?