how much does a wood retaining wall cost

What is the cheapest material to build a retaining wall?

What Is the Cheapest Way to Build a Retaining Wall?

• Landscaping Timbers. As mentioned earlier, the easiest retaining wall for a DIYer to install is likely a landscape timber wall.
• Cost: About 12.00 -15.00 per square foot
• Natural Stones. ...
• Concrete Blocks. ...
• Interlocking Concrete Blocks. ...
• Poured Concrete. ...
• Railroad Ties. ...

How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?

Retaining Wall Cost. The average cost of building a retaining wall is $5,707. You’ll likely spend between $3,201 and $8,767, but some projects hit $14,000. You'll pay $20 to $60 per square foot or $30 to $150 per linear foot on average, with large, complex builds with high-end materials costing up to $125 per square foot.

How much are retaining walls?

Retaining Wall Costs by Location

• Landscape: $30-$150 per linear foot
• Driveway: $50-$150 per linear foot
• Lake and seawalls: $125-$200 per linear foot

How much stone do I need to build a wall?

You would need a little less than 4 1/2 yards of stone to build your stone wall. But round up and buy at least 5 yards. If you can afford it, get 6 or even 7 yards.

Is wood retaining wall cheaper?

Cheaper- timber walls are less expensive than block walls. Easy installation- timbers are easy to install for both landscapers and the DIY homeowner. Looks- timbers are simple, look great, and are the “old reliable” for landscapers and homeowners.

What is the cheapest retaining wall to build?

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. Installation or supplies, such as drainage stone or filter fabric, are not included.

Is a concrete retaining wall cheaper than wood?

Concrete retaining walls are generally more expensive than timber retaining walls which is something that you will need to keep in mind when you are setting your budget but a well built concrete retaining wall will last for 60 years or more, so it should never need replacing.

Are wood retaining walls good?

Wood can be a budget friendly solution for a DIY retaining wall. However, wood is subject to fungal rot, termites, and water damage. When following all of the best recommendations, a wood retaining wall can last up to 40 years. Without proper techniques, a wood retaining wall can fail in as soon as 5 years.

What can I use instead of a retaining wall?

Using wooden timbers could be a great alternative to retaining walls. They are quite popular in building garden beds, raising flowers, and sloppy hillsides. The wooden timbers go pretty well with the natural vibe of the landscape design.

What kind of wood should I use for a retaining wall?

The best kind of lumber for these walls is Douglas fir pressure treated with preservatives to discourage rot. It will be green or brown in color and rated for earth-to-wood contact. For timber walls, large timbers for can be very expensive, which is why railroad ties are a common alternative.

Do wood retaining walls last?

A timber retaining wall can last a little over a decade, if treated properly. If not maintained, the lifespan of a timber wall is around 3 to 5 years. To keep its fresh look, timber requires serious maintenance. The material will hold up for so many years only if its pressure-treated with chemicals.

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.

What material goes behind a retaining wall?

Backfill refers to the dirt behind the wall. In order to provide proper drainage, at least 12 inches of granular backfill (gravel or a similar aggregate) should be installed directly behind the wall. Compacted native soil can be used to backfill the rest of the space behind the wall.

Will a wood retaining wall rot?

Wood walls tend to rot overtime. The main culprit of any retaining wall failure is nearly always water and wood retaining walls are no different. Water soaks into the wood and starts to deteriorate and rot out from the back.

How high can a wood retaining wall be?

For anyone building a wood retaining wall, try to keep it around four feet in height. Like we covered earlier, most cities have a height limit on non-permitted structures of three to four feet, including retaining walls.

What is the most durable 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.

How do you make 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.

Is a concrete retaining wall cheaper than blocks?

Usually, the cost of construction varies from place to place. But as a matter of fact, poured walls cost about 20% less than the block foundation walls.

What is the best material for a retaining wall?

The best retaining wall material is stone. People love stone retaining walls because: Stone is strong and durable. There's a wide variety of types, which means different styles and colors.

Are gabion walls cheap?

Depending on the type of fill material, gabion walls are one of the cheapest retaining walls you can build, ranging from $5 to $40 per square foot installed.

How much does it cost to install a retaining wall?

The average cost to install a timber retaining wall is about $10 per square foot or $1000 for DIY installation of a 20′ long x 5′ high wall (100 sf). If hiring a Pro, the same retaining wall cost is about $2,800 or $28 per square foot.

How to get the lowest estimate for retaining wall?

Note: In any season, the best strategy for getting the lowest estimates is to request bids from several companies and letting them know they are competing for the retaining wall job.

What type of timber is used for retaining walls?

Type of Timbers Used – Most timber retaining walls are built with either pressure treated 6″ x 6″ or used railroad ties. While the rail ties are treated differently for longer usage, new pressure treated timbers look better and tend to provide a more uniform appearance.

What is the purpose of a drain on a sloped wall?

Drainage Materials – Walls retaining significantly sloped areas will have large amounts of water run against them. Similar to a french drain system, placing stone beneath the first timber and a drain at the base of the slope-side of the wall will facilitate drainage of water that might otherwise cause faster deterioration of the wood – even pressure-treated wood, or complete failure of the wall itself when the water freezes and expands.

How long do retaining walls last?

Wood retaining walls are typically built with pressure-treated timber, and they’ll last 40 years or more , when treated or preserved properly.

How many square feet are in a wall?

As an example, a wall 60’ long and 4’ high will be 240 square feet of wall face.

How many spikes per 8' timber?

70-90 cents ea. | Galvanized 60d 12” spikes are driven through pilot holes every 8” to hold each layer of timber to the layer beneath it, so that’s 12 spikes per 8’ timber.

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.

What Is a Retaining Wall?

A retention or retaining wall 1 is a structure that holds soil or water. Most commonly, retaining walls are made with concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, and boulders. There are also wooden options. Though they look simple in structure, retaining walls are complex and can be used for many purposes. For starters, retaining walls improve drainage, prevent erosion, and make slopes more functional. However, they also are great for aesthetic purposes. Retaining walls can be a great landscaping feature. You can even add lights to the stone and improve the overall look of any building and the surrounding area.

Why do walls age?

Retaining walls can age like any structure. Sometimes the material can fail over time, such as wood tie backs beginning to rot. Other times, the drainage system may clog causing the soil to become oversaturated, other times, the wall can fail from poor construction. When a wall fails, it can fall, which means that it will no longer be holding back the soil so erosion and blockages may occur.

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 sheet piling cost?

They cost between $10 and $20 per square foot to construct.

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.

How to get the most affordable price quote for retaining wall?

Keep in mind: In any season, the very best way of getting the most affordable price quotes is to demand quotes from a lot of contractors and to let them know they are competing for the retaining wall job.

How long does a wood retaining wall last?

Wood retaining walls are generally developed with pressure-treated wood, and they’ll last 40 years or more when managed and maintained correctly. This article offers you an in-depth wood ...

How many square feet of wall face?

Square Feet of Wall Face – The majority of walls are developed with lumbers around 6″ high (they are 5.5″ square) and 8′ long, so each timber is 4 square feet of wall face. As an example, a wall 60′ long and 4′ high will be 240 square feet of wall face. That number divided by 4 will mean you’ll require 60 timbers plus a couple more to replace the broken or deformed material.

What day do you dig a trench for retaining wall?

Day 1 is used to dig the trench for the base layer of timbers, set up stone, lay the timbers, and anchor them into the soil. Day 2-4 are will be used to set up the remaining courses of timber and an optional cap. Day 5+ might be needed on big walls, specifically high retaining walls that need extra support.

How high is a retaining wall?

Some structure departments require authorization for any retaining wall while others will only require one for a wall 4′ high and above. A call will give you information on whether you require one to adhere to your regional building regulations or not.

How long does it take to install a retaining wall?

Here’s the length of time it will take to install your retaining wall: 1-2 days – Basic setup of a wall, less than 100 square feet. 2-3 days – Basic setup of approximately 200 square feet or harder setup of less than 100 square feet of retaining wall. 4-6 days – Larger, harder setups.

What causes an increase in costs for a wall?

Blockages – Needing to get rid of trees, roots, shrubs, or big quantities of dirt in the path of the wall will raise expenses. Soil Type – Very hard or rocky soil takes more time to trench, so this leads to an increase in costs.

How much does it cost to install a retaining wall?

You’ll pay an average of $50 to $75 per hour. The labor fees to install a retaining wall range from $10 to $50 per square foot, depending on the materials used. Interlocking retaining wall blocks or pin mechanisms are the fastest and easiest to install compared to hand-stacked limestone or I-Beam retaining walls.

How Much Do Retaining Walls Cost by Type?

The concrete, stone, steel, and other material needed for installation are some of the most expensive costs of the retaining wall. You may have your heart set on an intricately stacked stone retaining wall you saw on a home improvement show, but you’ll need to plan your budget wisely to get the best landscape impact for your retaining wall dollars.

How much does a stone retaining wall cost?

The prefab design is ideal for retaining walls but also popular for decorative plant boxes. Stone retaining walls cost $5 to $100 per square foot. Stacked stone or limestone options are popular but are more expensive.

What is a brick wythe?

Bricks come in many colors and act as veneers on a retaining wall, meaning they’re only one brick thick (a wythe) and fixed to the outside of poured or block concrete. If you’ve been itching to boost the curb appeal of your retaining wall, personalize the bricks with a custom color or texture.

How much does a rammed earth wall cost?

Rammed earth retaining walls cost $20 to $30 per square foot and offer the strength of concrete.

What is the most expensive material to install on a retaining wall?

The concrete, stone, steel, and other material needed for installation are some of the most expensive costs of the retaining wall.

What is the purpose of retaining walls?

Retaining walls serve many purposes, including beautifying a garden, diverting water, and holding a foundation in place. You’ve probably never considered the attractiveness of a retaining wall, but they are a focal point on your property. You’ll want your retaining wall to be functional and enhance your yard, all on your budget.

How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost per Square Foot?

Contractors price most retaining walls by the square foot for materials and labor. All the factors mentioned above will determine the retaining walls cost per square foot.

How Long Will a Retaining Wall Last?

A well-built retaining wall can last between 50 and 100 years. However, some things can affect how long it lasts. The longevity of your wall depends on two major factors:

Why do you need reinforcement for retaining walls?

Reinforced retaining walls use some type of reinforcement to add strength to the retaining wall structure and better retain the soils behind it.

How tall is a cantilevered retaining wall?

Cantilevered retaining walls rely on leverage to work and are best suited for tall walls up to 18-feet with deep excavations.

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.

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.

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.

How to use the retaining wall calculator?

The retaining wall calculator may seem complicated at first, but don't worry! Just follow this simple set of instructions, and you will get your calculations done in no time.

What is backfilling a retaining wall?

Backfill is something that cannot be forgotten when building a retaining wall. It is crucial for keeping the wall steady, as well as making sure it does not get eroded by water. It is recommended do use a granular material such as gravel, which is what we chose for the retaining wall calculator.

How thick should a backfill be?

As already stated above, the thickness should be no less than 12in/30cm.

Summary of Retaining Walls Made of Timber Or Wood

Product and Materials Price Information

Licenses, Examination, and Setup Expenses

• Authorizations and Examination
  1. $0-$75 – Underground utility lines should be located and marked to prevent damaging them while digging. Call 811to have this done. In a lot of geographical areas, this is a totally free service offered by the energy company itself. They do not want to deal with the expense or liability of ne…
• Setup Price and Time
  1. Ease of access to Area– If your house is in a remote location, travel time for the team will be longer and more fuel will be needed, so costs will increase. 2. Length of the fence– The base of the wall should be trenched, so for instance, a wall 100′ long and 2′ high will cost more to set up …

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