Pavers and hardscaping service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Installing a retaining wall in Washington, D.C., costs 7% more than the national average.
Hiring a retaining wall pro costs $55 to $80 per hour, depending on the project's complexity.
Vinyl is one of the most cost-effective materials for building retaining walls.
Retaining walls on sloped terrain in Washington, D.C., redirect stormwater and prevent flooding.
Retaining walls cost $6,515 on average in Washington, D.C. Due to factors like wall size, materials, labor, and accessibility, prices range from $3,417 to $10,112. Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., located on hills and near rivers, are prone to erosion and flooding, making a retaining wall a practical addition to your home. Plan your upgrade by carefully considering the following variables.
The scope of a retaining wall installation in Washington, D.C., is affected by numerous factors. Some of these include wall size, materials, terrain, site preparation, drainage, soil type, waterproofing, and more.
The length and height of your wall have the biggest impact on price, with taller retaining walls costing more per linear foot. For example, a 2-foot-tall retaining wall costs $45 to $215 per linear foot, while retaining walls up to 6 feet high cost about $385 per linear foot.
The following table summarizes common retaining wall sizes and their average costs. Note that the lower end of the cost range is for walls 2 feet high, while the higher end of the cost range is for walls 6 feet or taller.
| Length (Linear Feet) | Average Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $430–$3,900 | $2,100 |
| 15 | $650–$5,800 | $3,200 |
| 20 | $850–$7,700 | $4,300 |
| 25 | $1,100–$9,600 | $5,400 |
| 30 | $1,300–$11,600 | $6,400 |
| 50 | $2,100–$19,300 | $10,700 |
| 100 | $4,300–$38,500 | $21,400 |
| 150 | $6,400–$57,800 | $32,100 |
The type of material you choose will greatly affect what you pay, so factor in materials when planning out your retaining wall ideas. 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–$20 | $15 |
| Railroad ties (wood) | $30–$35 | $32.50 |
| Timber | $20–$35 | $27.50 |
| Brick | $20–$30 | $25 |
| Rammed earth | $20–$30 | $25 |
| Gabion | $10–$45 | $27.50 |
| Stone | $20–$110 | $65 |
| Concrete | $35–$55 | $42.50 |
| I-beam | $45–$100 | $72.50 |
| Steel | $20–$160 | $90 |
Your contractor may charge an extra fee for material delivery. If that’s the case, expect to spend $35 to $110 per truckload of stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
Sloped terrain and soil composition in the surrounding area impact the cost of building a retaining wall. Hilly neighborhoods near rivers in Washington, D.C., are at a higher risk of flooding. 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.
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 | $350–$750 |
| Land clearing | $110–$250 per hour |
| Land grading | $900–$3,000 |
| Tree removal cost | $200–$2,000 |
All retaining walls need drainage, as their purpose is to stop erosion on a slope. 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 $65 to $75 per linear foot on excavation to fix drainage issues. If you’re replacing the wall, it will cost $20 to $35 per linear foot to demolish the old wall and install a new one.
The soil in your yard will determine the type of retaining wall you can build. Some areas of Washington, D.C., have clay soil with poor drainage, which affects the types of retaining walls best suited to your project. For example, malleable clay soil may not be sturdy enough to support heavy wall materials.
In addition, rocky soil with many boulders will require your contractor to spend extra time clearing the land. It will also be more difficult to excavate, so you can expect higher labor costs across the board.
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 $0.85 to $1.70 per square foot. If your wall is particularly long or tall, it may also require footings with different fill materials (costs vary by material).
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 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.
The cost to hire a retaining wall pro in Washington, D.C., varies based on their level of experience, the materials used, and the installation methods needed for your project.
Labor is a significant part of retaining wall costs. A local hardscape contractor will charge an average of $55 to $80 per hour or $20 to $55 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.
Though it depends on local laws, most homeowners will need a permit to build a retaining wall taller than 4 feet. Costs for a permit for a retaining wall in Washington, D.C., include a minimum fee and additional costs based on every $1,000 of the project’s value. Check the local requirements and discuss them with your retaining wall contractor before construction begins.
You may need to hire additional pros when building a retaining wall in Washington, D.C., including:
Structural engineer: $340–$780
Land clearing pro: $1,400–$6,200
Land leveling pro: $1,000–$3,300
Tree removal pro: $200–$2,000
Hardscaping pro: $5,000–$18,000
Retaining walls can increase your home’s value by 15% in some areas, with a 100% to 200% return on investment. In parts of Washington, D.C., the combination of sloped terrain, clay soil (that doesn’t effectively absorb water), and heavy rainfall makes flooding and erosion serious concerns. Retaining walls help prevent erosion and redirect stormwater so it doesn’t cascade down your property. This desirable safety feature can help boost your home’s value if you decide to sell.
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.
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