Pavers and hardscaping service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
The cost to install a retaining wall in Atlanta is slightly above the national average.
Vinyl materials are the most cost-effective, while steel and I-beam walls are the most expensive.
Hiring a retaining wall pro costs $50 to $75 per hour, depending on the project scope.
Permit fees for building a retaining wall in Atlanta are based on the project's valuation.
The cost to build a retaining wall in Atlanta, Georgia, is $6,167 on average, but most projects fall between $3,503 and $8,993. Since Atlanta is prone to flooding and has clay soil, retaining walls are an effective way to prevent erosion. Your actual cost will depend on the wall size, materials, labor, site prep, and more. Use this breakdown to plan for potential costs and start your budget.
Cost factors for a retaining wall in Atlanta, Georgia, vary based on your needs and the extent of the project. Beyond size and materials, considerations include drainage, soil type, reinforcement, and waterproofing.
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 $40 to $200 per linear foot, while retaining walls up to 6 feet high cost about $360 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 | $400–$3,600 | $2,000 |
| 15 | $600–$5,400 | $3,000 |
| 20 | $800–$7,200 | $4,000 |
| 25 | $1,000–$9,000 | $5,000 |
| 30 | $1,200–$10,800 | $6,000 |
| 50 | $2,000–$18,000 | $10,000 |
| 100 | $4,000–$36,000 | $20,000 |
| 150 | $6,000–$54,000 | $30,000 |
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 | $20–$25 | $22.50 |
| Rammed earth | $20–$25 | $22.50 |
| Gabion | $10–$40 | $25 |
| Stone | $20–$100 | $60 |
| Concrete | $30–$50 | $40 |
| I-beam | $40–$90 | $65 |
| Steel | $15–$150 | $82.50 |
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.
The terrain and soil composition in the surrounding area impact 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.
Additionally, if the soil is particularly unstable or rocky, extra work is needed to dig through it and compact it sufficiently to hold the wall once it's built.
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. In floodplain regions of Atlanta, drainage systems are crucial for mitigating erosion and protecting retaining walls from pressure. There are various drainage 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.
The soil in your yard will determine the type of retaining wall you can build. Certain walls work better with certain soil types. Malleable clay soil, like the soil in Atlanta, 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 $0.80 to $1.60 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.
Hiring a retaining wall installer in Atlanta, Georgia, will ensure your project is done safely and to code. The complexity of the project, the materials, and the installation method all affect your labor costs.
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.
Though it depends on local laws, most homeowners in Atlanta will need a permit to build a wall taller than 4 feet. The value of your project determines how much you’ll pay, usually starting at around a few hundred dollars. Check your local regulations before you start.
The design of your project or the terrain and soil might require the expertise of more pros like these:
Structural engineer: $340–$780
Land clearing pro: $1,400–$6,200
Land leveling pro: $1,000–$3,300
Tree removal pro: $200–$2,000
Building a retaining wall in Atlanta, Georgia, can increase your home’s value by as much as 15%, and the project has a potential return on investment of 100% to 200%. Erosion and sediment movement from Atlanta’s clay-based soil, paired with heightened rainfall in a floodplain region, make building a retaining wall a good investment in the city. Furthermore, a high-quality installation and well-maintained retaining wall can attract homebuyers 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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