Sometimes, all your home needs is a new wall to make a room or provide an updated function to an existing space. Learn how much it costs to install a new wall in Phoenix, AZ.
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost in Phoenix? [2026 Data]
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Cost Insights
If your yard has caliche deposits, you may spend more on excavation.
Retaining walls in Phoenix need proper drainage to handle heavy monsoon rains.
You’ll need to reinforce your wall to prevent it from shifting in expansive clay soils.
A permit is required for any retaining wall taller than 3 feet.
A pro can help you choose a wall that works with your budget, but concrete blocks are most common in the Phoenix area.
Building a retaining wall in Phoenix costs $4,692 on average, with most homeowners spending between $2,381 and $7,333. The unique terrain in Arionza makes this project a bit more challenging. You have to safeguard for frequent seismic activity, shifting clay soil, and potential monsoons while navigating caliche deposits. Here’s how all of these factors will impact your final price.
Retaining Wall Cost Factors
The cost of building a retaining wall in Phoenix, Arizona, highly depends on your specific landscape and the size and type of wall. A pro can help you hammer out the details, but there are a few things to consider.
Size
The length and height of your wall have the biggest impact on price, with taller retaining walls costing more per linear foot. For example, the average 3-foot-tall retaining wall costs $90 to $150 per linear foot, while retaining walls up to 6 feet high cost about $180 to $300 per linear foot.
The following table summarizes the cost of a typical 3- to 6-foot-tall retaining wall made from poured concrete.
| Length (Linear Feet) | Average Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $900–$3,000 | $1,950 |
| 15 | $1,350–$4,500 | $2,925 |
| 20 | $1,800–$6,000 | $7,800 |
| 25 | $2,250–$7,500 | $4,875 |
| 30 | $2,700–$9,000 | $5,850 |
| 50 | $4,500–$15,000 | $9,750 |
| 100 | $9,000–$30,000 | $19,500 |
| 150 | $13,500–$45,000 | $29,250 |
Materials
You can draw from various retaining wall ideas, but the type of material you choose will greatly affect what you pay. Here’s a look at the average prices for common retaining wall materials per square foot.
| Wall Material | Cost Range per Sq. Ft. (All-In) | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $10–$15 | $12.50 |
| Railroad ties (wood) | $25–$30 | $27.50 |
| Timber | $15–$30 | $22.50 |
| Brick | $40–$60 | $50 |
| Rammed earth | $20–$25 | $22.50 |
| Gabion | $10–$40 | $25 |
| Stone | $35–$75 | $55 |
| Concrete | $25–$100 | $35 |
| I-beam | $40–$90 | $65 |
| Steel | $15–$150 | $82.50 |
Material Delivery
Your contractor may charge an extra fee for material delivery. If that’s the case, expect to spend $30 to $100 per truckload of stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
Terrain
The terrain in the surrounding area impacts the cost of building a retaining wall. Additional labor is needed for sloped grounds, which can increase labor costs by 50% or more. In this situation, the contractor must excavate to construct step-downs or terrace the slope to accommodate a safe retaining wall.
Arizona is known for expandable clay soil and hard caliche deposits that require reinforcement, further increasing labor costs because the land is harder to excavate and clear.
Site Prep
Your contractor will prep the site before building the retaining wall. This may include land clearing, land grading, and tree removal. If your wall is more than 4 feet tall, you’ll need a structural engineer to design it. Here’s what you might pay for site prep.
| Service | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Structural engineering | $800–$2,000 |
| Land clearing | $110–$250 per hour |
| Land grading | $900–$3,300 |
| Tree removal cost | $200–$2,000 |
Drainage
Drainage is crucial for retaining walls in Arizona, where they will be exposed to monsoons.
There are various methods, including pipes, gravel, weep holes, and criblock designs. If you already have a retaining wall that isn’t properly draining, you may need to spring for repairs or a full replacement.
Expect to spend $60 to $70 per linear foot on excavation to fix drainage issues. If you’re replacing the wall, it will cost $20 to $30 per linear foot to demolish the old wall and install a new one.
Soil Type
The soil in your yard will determine the type of retaining wall you can build. Certain walls work better with specific soil types—and Phoenix has many clay soils that expand when wet. This type of soil needs to be reinforced to prevent damage to your wall as the soil moves behind it.
Reinforcements
Your retaining wall may need reinforcement, which could increase your material and labor costs. A hardscaping pro will add rebar either horizontally or vertically. Rebar costs around $1 to $3 per square foot. If your wall is particularly long or tall, it may also require footings with different fill materials. Costs vary by material, but concrete footings cost $20 to $55 per square foot.
A structural engineer adds reinforcements when:
The wall is taller than 4 feet
The wall is longer or taller than average
You’re installing a sea wall
You live in a climate with extreme weather
Waterproofing
Waterproofing costs $2 to $10 per square foot and can increase the lifespan of your retaining wall. This stops water from seeping into wall joints, which can damage the structural integrity over time. Some materials (like vinyl) are more waterproof than others, so make sure to check with your contractor.
Retaining Wall Pro Costs
You’ll need to hire a licensed retaining wall contractor in Phoenix, Arizona, when your wall is:
Taller than 3 feet
Supporting a slope, driveway, or building
Near a property line or easement
Required by local law
Even if it’s not required, installing a safe, durable wall is the best option, though it comes with associated costs.
Labor
Labor is a significant part of retaining wall costs. A local hardscape contractor will charge an average of $50 to $75 per hour or $15 to $50 per square foot. Their rates will also depend on the wall’s materials and the overall complexity of the project. Interlocking retaining wall blocks or pin mechanisms are the fastest and easiest to install compared to hand-stacked limestone or I-beam retaining walls.
Permits
Though it depends on local laws, most homeowners in the Phoenix area will need a permit to build a wall taller than 3 feet. Building permits cost between $100 and $600, but they can go up depending on the valuation of the project. Check your local regulations before you start.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
You’ll likely have to hire a structural engineer to design your wall, but after the hardscaping is done, a landscaper can help give the space curb appeal. Here are some added potential labor costs:
Structural engineering: 5%–15% of project costs
Landscaping: $1,500–$5,500 on average
Does a Retaining Wall Increase Home Value?
A retaining wall can add value to a home (up to 15%) if it addresses the following issues and attracts potential homebuyers:
Eliminates slopes to create more usable yard space
Solves drainage issues
Prevents erosion
Protects existing landscaping
Adds significant curb appeal
Just make sure you choose your material wisely for the terrain. Concrete block walls are common in Phoenix, Arizona, because they’re cost-effective, durable, and blend in with the desert landscape.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Pavers and hardscaping services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Phoenix, AZ
4.3★ avg. • 32 total reviews
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Raul installed pavers adjacent my driveway and also planted trees and installed some lighting. After a couple of weeks, the pavers sunk about 1 inch in several places. Also, when applying the plasticized sand, he did not vibrate the pavers, which caused them to be loose and chip when driven...
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Needed my house to be cleaned before putting it up for sale. Called and spoke to Javier, which was very helpful and explained really well what they offered. When everything was done. My wife and I were very satisfied with the services we received. I have recommended them to several friends...
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The Framous Builders were fast and efficient. They did the tenant improvements quickly and made the office and warehouse areas look great! It was a pleasure to work with Henry.
The Framous Builders - Sasha K.
They just finished my pavers work today and it wasn't an easy job, but it turned out better than I imagined. They finished it in 4 days and were kind and thorough the entire time. I would say that these were the best landscapers I've ever worked with in all of Phoenix. Highly recommend....
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Arizona Brick Pavers just finished our yard which included a pavilion, turf, putting green … They went above and beyond my expectations. If you’re looking for a landscape designer, I highly recommend them.
Arizona Brick Pavers LLC - Adrian Z.
These guys are timely, communicative, they do what they say when they say and sooooo clean. The dust was almost non existent where Iâ ve had other contractors that left me a mess and dust for months! Definitely a lot of care goes into the work is real and the team do. They redid water...
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I had Jimmy replace the roof on my 1940â s house and he and his crew did an excellent job. He had to replace the fascia and soffits and do a lot of repairs to the roof. They did a great job and best of all my wife loves it
Rest Assured Roofing, LLC - Ben V.
Jose does an amazing job. I have used him multiple times and will use again. He performs amazing paver work along with block and stucco. Jose can do anything yard design.
- Larry H.
Outdoor patio, pavers. Went very well. Wait time very short. Workers very diligent. Communications excellent. Had a small issue with an irrigation pipe leak but Rojas returned very quickly and fixed it. We were very pleased with the whole process and would highly recommend Rojas...
Rojas Construction LLC - Jim G.
Larry provided a competitive quote and ensured the project was completed on time and to my satisfaction. Bobby and helpers, through their equipment, plastic barriers, and careful attention, limited the spread of dust, which can be a problem when sanding down wood floors. Bobby made sure all...
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