Pavers and hardscaping service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Costs to install a 2-foot-tall retaining wall in Detroit, Michigan, range from $30 to $60 per square foot.
Detroit has clay-rich soil, and retaining walls have to withstand significant expansion and contraction.
The return on investment for a retaining wall installation is about 100% to 200%.
Retaining walls prevent soil erosion and manage runoff while eliminating slopes in your yard. A retaining wall installation in Detroit, Michigan, averages $9,588, with a range between $2,870 and $16,306. The actual cost will depend on the size and materials, as well as site preparation, including yard leveling and tree removal. A walk-through of the different factors will help you start planning your project.
Retaining wall costs in Detroit, Michigan, depend on the wall's size, the material you choose, and labor costs. Additional factors include waterproofing, proper drainage, reinforcements, and site prep.
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 $30 to $60 per square foot, while retaining walls up to 6 feet high cost about $200 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 | $300–$2,000 | $1,150 |
| 15 | $450–$3,000 | $1,725 |
| 20 | $600–$4,000 | $2,300 |
| 25 | $750–$5,000 | $2,875 |
| 30 | $900–$6,000 | $3,450 |
| 50 | $1,500–$10,000 | $5,750 |
| 100 | $3,000–$20,000 | $11,500 |
| 150 | $4,500–$30,000 | $17,250 |
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.
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 | $500–$2,000 per project |
| Land clearing | $110–$750 per hour |
| Land grading | $1,050–$3,000 |
| Tree removal cost | $250–$1,500 |
All retaining walls need drainage, as their purpose is to stop erosion. 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.
The soil in your yard will determine the type of retaining wall you can build. Certain walls work better with certain soil types. For example, malleable clay soil may not be sturdy enough to support heavy wall materials. Detroit’s soil is clay-heavy, which poses a challenge to contractors who need to ensure the wall can withstand expansion and contraction.
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 $0.70 to $0.90 per 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.
A retaining wall installer in Detroit, Michigan, can offer experienced recommendations on the best material and installation methods for Detroit’s clay soil. A pro will prep the site and then install the wall to meet your design needs. They can also provide information on required permits and obtain them as needed.
Labor is a significant part of retaining wall costs. A local hardscape contractor will charge an average of $50 to $120 or more 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 will need a permit to build a wall that supports a surcharge or is taller than 4 feet. Alterations to an existing residential building in Detroit may require a general building permit, and the fees are based on the project cost (including design and construction). Costs increase based on the project's cost range and by $1,000 of value. You may also be responsible for a site plan review fee. Check your local regulations before starting your installation.
Because a retaining wall in Detroit, Michigan, increases a home's aesthetic appeal and serves an important function, it can increase a home's value by 15% or more. This also means that homeowners often get a 100% to 200% return on their investment. Even if you don’t plan on selling your home, you’ll enjoy the aesthetic benefits as well as the retaining wall’s ability to reduce soil erosion, manage runoff, and eliminate unwanted slopes.
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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