Cost of Retaining Walls Block
| Retaining Walls Block Costs | Zip Code | Sq. ft. | |
| Basic | Better | Best | |
| Retaining Walls Block – Material Prices | $52.50 - $55.00 | $57.50 - $60.00 | $62.50 - $65.00 |
| Retaining Walls Block – Installation Cos ... | $162.50 - $187.50 | $200.00 - $237.50 | $262.50 - $275.00 |
| Retaining Walls Block – Total | $215.00 - $242.50 | $257.50 - $297.50 | $325.00 - $340.00 |
...
Natural Stone Retaining Walls.
| Type of Retaining Wall Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Retaining wall block | $16 - $30 |
| Wood | $10 - $28 |
| Natural stone | $25 - $75 |
How much does it cost to build a block wall?
Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose. It costs $565 on average to build a concrete or cinder block wall. Most jobs range between $475 and $655 total, and this figure is based on an estimated price of $9 to $12 per square foot which includes material and labor.
What is the average cost of a block wall?
These usually run $2.50 to $3.50 per block. Thinner 4″ blocks are typically used for veneers to provide a decorative face to a wall. They can cost anywhere from $3 to $7 per block or more. Blocks used for retaining walls are usually $6 – $11 per block. Refer to our retaining wall cost guide for more details.
How much does it cost to block a wall?
When it comes to block wall or block fence cost, the national average is $2.49 per square foot. The range is between $1.98 and $2.99 per square foot. When materials and labor are added into the price estimate, the price is (on average) $10.68 per square foot, with a range of $9.37 to $11.99.
How much does a block wall cost per foot?
The material cost to install a cinder block wall is typically between $3 and $5.50 per square foot, which includes the cost of the blocks themselves, mortar and structural reinforcement. The cost of these materials is fairly well standardized, although location will still be a cost variable.
How deep should a block retaining wall be?
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.
How much does wall block cost?
The cost to lay blocks is $5 to $10 per block for labor, supplies, and equipment only, without the concrete blocks. The going rate for block work labor is $35 to $100 per hour....Labor cost to lay a concrete block wall.Block laying ratesAverage costPer block$5 – $10Per square foot$10 – $17Hourly$35 – $100Apr 19, 2021
How do I estimate the cost of a retaining wall?
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.
What is the cheapest retaining wall block?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
Why are retaining walls so expensive?
Retaining Wall Block Costs Also, the masonry materials in retaining wall block are inexpensive to source and to produce. The greatest cost of retaining wall block is shipping since it is so heavy.
How do you bid a retaining wall block?
0:4225:09How to do Retaining Wall Bids, Estimates and Proposals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd a couple of the details that we need to take into consideration is the joint space from one wallMoreAnd a couple of the details that we need to take into consideration is the joint space from one wall to the next now we're going to be using the same block in this very specific case.
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
If your retaining wall needs a drainage pipe, make sure the pipe has slots on all sides, not just one. A drainage pipe might be needed if: The retaining wall is at least four feet high or taller. Clay or other poor draining soils are behind the wall.
How long do retaining walls last?
Wood retaining walls last around 40 years. Stone and concrete retaining walls last between 50 and 100 years. Brick retaining walls last at least 100 years.
Can you build a retaining wall yourself?
Choose a DIY-friendly building material. Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it's best to use concrete retaining wall blocks, which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive.
How do I build a cheap retaining wall?
The cheapest way to build a retaining wall is to DIY it. And the most DIY-friendly way is to use commercially available concrete blocks, sold in Home Depot or Lowe's. They commonly come as self-aligning and trapezoidal in shape which makes it easier to form concaves, convexes, or straight walls.
How high can you stack retaining wall blocks?
24 to 36 inches highPlanning a Block Retaining Wall The interlocking retaining wall block can be stacked to build walls up to 24 to 36 inches high, depending on the size of the block.
What is the longest lasting retaining wall?
Concrete and Masonry Retaining Walls Poured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.
What’s the cheapest type of retaining wall?
Wood and masonry retaining wall block are the two cheapest materials to use for building retaining walls. With wood, 100 square feet of rail ties o...
What’s the easiest retaining wall to build?
On a do-it-yourself basis, the easiest type of retaining wall to build is one made of retaining wall blocks that stays below 36 to 48 inches—the he...
How long do retaining walls last?
While it depends on the type and quality of the retaining wall—along with the condition of the soil, water drainage and maintenance—retaining walls...
How large does a retaining wall’s footer need to be?
For stability and safety, retaining walls need to rest on a stable footing, usually concrete. A rule of thumb for sizing retaining wall footers is...
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On average, building a retaining wall costs $23 per square foot. For the more budget-conscious, retaining wall prices average at $19 per square foot. On the upper end, retaining wall costs are around $50 per square foot.
Retaining Wall Cost Per Square Foot
As with other building materials such as pavers or roofing, square footage is a convenient way to compare the cost of different types of retaining wall materials. The length of the retaining wall multiplied by its height helps you calculate its total square footage.
Retaining Wall Cost by Material Type
The type of materials used for the retaining wall is a two-tier factor in the overall cost of the retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Block Costs
Retaining wall block has become one of the most popular types of materials to build retaining walls. With its front lip and tipped back profile, it is one of the few materials designed expressly for retaining walls.
Retaining Wall Labor Cost
Along with the cost of materials, the second half of the pricing equation—and sometimes the most important half—is the cost of labor to build the retaining wall.
Bottom Line
The type of retaining wall that you choose depends as much on your needs as on your budget. If you need to replace a retaining wall that is in danger of falling down or if you have a slope dangerously encroaching on your property, building a functional, safe retaining wall of any type is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wood and masonry retaining wall block are the two cheapest materials to use for building retaining walls.
How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?
The average cost to build a retaining wall is around $50 per sq.ft. This includes both the materials and labor costs.
How much does a reinforced wall cost?
It’s also made of masonry or concrete, and usually starts with a concrete slab. It will have steel bars embedded and costs between $20 and $25 per square foot.
How tall should a retaining wall be?
Many landscapers will also build retaining walls. However, if you plan on having the wall be more than 4-feet in height or you have special concerns about the weight of the area being held, you will need to involve a structural engineer in the project.
What is retaining wall made of?
Retaining walls can be made out of an extensive range of materials. Some will be dictated by the type of wall, while others may be dictated by the height of the wall. In some instances, the only differences may be cosmetic and personal, as they relate to your landscaping.
Why do we need retaining walls?
The main use of a retaining wall is to retain soil. They help prevent soil erosion that can come from hills; a retaining wall creates a sharp divide between two elevations and stops soil from running downhill.
What is a counterfort wall?
A counterfort wall is essentially a cantilever wall that has “wings” or sections moving off in different directions on the sides. This is a good wall for pool areas or for framing sections of landscaping. They are also made of masonry or concrete that is reinforced with steel bars and cost between $20 and $25 per square foot.
How much does a criblock cost?
It’s constructed into a grid pattern that allows the concrete to drain better than a solid wall. They cost between $25 and $30 per square foot to construct.
What is a block retaining wall made of?
They’re made from heavy materials like concrete blocks, cast-in-place concrete, or stone. Block retaining walls work well in these settings as they automatically form a setback that helps support the pressure of the soil behind the wall.
What is a retaining wall?
A retaining wall is any structure that holds soil in place behind it. As such, they’re instrumental in preventing a landslide from destroying property and endangering lives. They’re used for a wide range of applications both large and small. These include: Enormous soil-retaining projects alongside highways.
What is a segmented retaining wall?
Segmental retaining walls are a type of reinforced gravity wall that works well for both residential and commercial sites. They’re especially good for high-sloped terrain and usually have no height restrictions.
How to use gabion mess walls?
Gabion mess walls are most often used along streams to prevent erosion. They consist of rectangular wire mesh baskets filled with rocks. The next step is to stack the ‘bricks’, angle them back against the slope, and tie them together. Gabion mesh walls only last as long as it takes for the metal basket to corrode.
What is the most important part of retaining walls?
Yet, the most important part of retaining wall construction is the materials they’re made from.
How high should a gravity wall be?
They’re usually short walls under 4-feet high, so they’re cheaper to build. Gravity walls are self-supporting up to 10-feet, although you’ll need a permit to build one higher than 4-feet.
Which wall lasts the longest?
The more durable materials like concrete and stone will last longer. A brick wall has the longest lifespan of all. Choosing a knowledgeable contractor’s the best way to ensure your wall lasts as long as possible.
