Pavers and hardscaping service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Minnesota has harsh winters, so retaining walls need to be constructed to withstand the freeze-thaw cycle.
Installing your retaining wall will cost more if you have clay or sandy soil.
Permitting fees in Minneapolis depend on the project's value.
A structural engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of your wall.
A retaining wall costs an average of $7,131 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Most homeowners spend somewhere between $3,659 and $10,602, but you’ll need to hire a pro who knows how to navigate extreme winters. The freeze-thaw cycle impacts everything from excavation to materials to installation processes—and more importantly, the price tag.
There’s no way around it: Minneapolis, Minnesota, has lots of clay soil and ultra-cold winters. Failure to accommodate is one of the biggest reasons retaining walls fail. Here’s how mitigation strategies (along with things like size and material) impact the price.
The length and height of your wall have the biggest impact on price, with taller retaining walls costing more per linear foot. On average, you can expect to pay $30 to $45 per square foot, with most walls between 3 and 6 feet tall.
The following table summarizes common retaining wall lengths and their average costs. Note that the lower end of the cost range is for walls 3 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 | $900–$2,700 | $1,800 |
| 15 | $1,350–$4,050 | $2,700 |
| 20 | $1,800–$5,400 | $3,600 |
| 25 | $2,250–$6,750 | $4,500 |
| 30 | $2,700–$8,100 | $5,400 |
| 50 | $4,500–$13,500 | $9,000 |
| 100 | $9,000–$27,000 | $18,000 |
| 150 | $13,500–$40,500 | $27,000 |
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 | $20–$35 | $27.50 |
| Brick | $17–$45 | $31 |
| Rammed earth | $20–$25 | $22.50 |
| Gabion | $10–$40 | $25 |
| Stone | $20–$90 | $55 |
| Concrete | $20–$50 | $35 |
| I-beam | $40–$90 | $65 |
| Steel | $40–$150 | $95 |
Your contractor may charge an extra fee for material delivery. If that’s the case, expect to spend $50 to $110 per truckload of stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
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.
Additionally, Minneapolis has harsh winters. Contractors will need to use specialized construction methods to combat freezing terrain, such as installing deep footings below the frost line, which increase labor costs.
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 | $120–$150 per hour |
| Land clearing | $65–$250 per hour |
| Land grading | $1,050–$3,000 |
| Tree removal cost | $200–$2,000 |
All retaining walls need drainage, especially in Minnesota where there is a lot of snow and ice. 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 $15 to $50 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.
The type of soil in Minnesota can vary, but clay soils are common and require extra reinforcement to prevent your wall from collapsing or cracking. If you live in an area with sandy soil, you may need added anchoring, which you’ll need to add to your budget.
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 have clay soil or another type of unstable soil
The wall must endure harsh winters
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. It’s an important step to prevent cracking from freezing temperatures and to help avoid the future cost of retaining wall repairs. Some materials (like vinyl) are more waterproof than others, so make sure to check with your contractor.
Hiring a retaining wall pro in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the best option (even for a small wall) because of the harsh weather and structural safety concerns. Here are the costs to expect.
Labor is a significant part of retaining wall costs at about 50%. A local hardscape contractor will charge an average of $50 to $100 per hour. 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 Minneapolis will need a permit to build a wall taller than 4 feet. Minneapolis does not have a flat fee for building permit fees for a retaining wall, rather the cost depends on the overall value of the project.
If your landscaping is in good shape and already has decent curb appeal, a retaining wall (along with other hardscaping projects) won’t add value to your home. That said, it can potentially add home value if the retaining wall:
Creates more usable yard space by fixing a slope
Solves drainage problems
Adds significant curb appeal
If you want to get the most value out of your retaining wall, pay attention to the season. Spring is the peak season for construction projects in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You’ll save 10% to 15% by scheduling it during another time (as long as the weather allows).
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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Promptly called and came to bid on the job. I accepted the bid, and set up a time for work to be done. He came and did the work, and was very efficient, high quality work and materials, and excellent clean up. My fence repair was as good as new!
Lincoln Exteriors, Inc.I hired them upon recommendation from a landscaper that did work for me to remove and replace the concrete front walkway from the sidewalk to the front steps of my house and also to replace the front steps and front stoop. What was there was very old and looked it. They were very efficient,...
Divine Designs General ContractingThe roofing crew from Twin Cities Contracting was very professional, conscientious, and detail oriented. I was impressed by their preparation work and the efforts to protect my and my neighbors yards and related cleanup efforts. My neighbor had a "rolling magnet" to pick up nails and...
Twin Cities Contracting Services Inc.The Craftsmen team came through for us again! Twelve years after they completed successful roofing and siding projects for us, they made excellent improvements to our gutter system. Jim gave great advice on diagnosing issues about directing water away from the foundation, and Matt went above...
Craftsmen Home Improvements IncThey did a great job on our roof, siding, and gutters. They were thorough and always were timely when responding to me.
TRS Builders and Remodelers, LLCDebbie had good suggestions about our paver patio. Everything was on schedule. Alex and his crew did great work and overcame a hidden obstacle at our site. The patio craftsmanship was excellent!
TWIN CITY LANDSCAPEIt was a problem finding companies that do alley driveways but they have the smaller dozer and roller that fits in the alleys. This was also two alley driveways as my neighbor's and mine are one big piece. We confirmed the job one evening and the next morning they were here. The job was...
Big Dog BlacktopWhat a great contractor! I had kind of an emergency situation at our LexHam neighborhood home in St. Paul, MN, where our chimney was so old that the mortar holding the bricks together was totally gone (but the roofers who put on my roof wouldn’t touch it). Yipe! We run a charity that trains...
Tactical Roofing and Remodeling LLCThey did a fantastic job on our home. We had wind damage and they were the only contractor who was willing to answer my questions regarding the materials used, provide a workmanship warranty, remove the debris from the yard and supplied my wife and I with a portfolio of their work.The team's...
Snap Construction IncKurilla Contracting did a great job building a retaining wall at my house to help level out my yard. They got it done on time, and the price was reasonable. I’d definitely use them again. Highly recommended.
Kurilla ContractingFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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