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How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost in Minneapolis? [2026 Data]
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Cost Insights
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.
Retaining Wall Cost Factors
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.
Size
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 |
Materials
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 |
Material Delivery
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.
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.
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.
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 | $120–$150 per hour |
| Land clearing | $65–$250 per hour |
| Land grading | $1,050–$3,000 |
| Tree removal cost | $200–$2,000 |
Drainage
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.
Soil Type
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.
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 $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
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.
Retaining Wall Pro Costs
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
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.
Permits
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.
Does a Retaining Wall Increase Home Value?
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).
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 Minneapolis, MN
4.6★ avg. • 332 total reviews
- Daeshawn W.
Very professional quick and easy transaction would definitely recommend to family and friends not to mention the work was amazing went above and beyond clean and organized and would definitely look to hire again
Northline Outdoor Services - Jan A.
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. - Jennifer H.
Ben and Dennis did an amazing job patching and replacing damaged baseboard and trims that my dog chewed up. They were efficient and courteous and I’d recommend them to family and friends. Thank you so much!
CreativewoodworkLLC - Tanya L.
Great customer service and good price. Friendly and prompt in answering questions and getting the work done. I’d recommend Avery and his team again!
Brickmasters LLC - Gay H.
Liisa and her crew were excellent to work with: creative, professional, efficient, responsive to all questions, and talented at creating a beautiful garden. They did both hardscape and landscape, and we are delighted with the results and a beautiful garden. We highly recommend them!
- Brian K.
Fast and efficient and professional.
MJ’s Concrete LLC - Mark L.
Debbie 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 LANDSCAPE - Kevin K.
Gas leak and was red tagged by Centerpoint. They came in promptly and did an excellent job fixing the issue and getting me back up and running.
Service Star Plumbing, LLC - Andy D.
Adam was very thorough and knowledgeable. We were and are very happy with the service he provided, prompt and detailed. He finished and published the inspection report very quickly. 10/10 would use again and recommend to all.
LBS HOME INSPECTION - Eric M.
Aleksy and his crew were professional, courteous, considerate about disruption, and did a fabulous job removing old tile and installing a new heated tile kitchen floor-- the work was done quickly and well and the floor looks wonderful.
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