6 Retaining Wall Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Professional

Installing a retaining wall is a big project, not only because it’s labor-intensive but also because it requires precision in engineering with an eye toward aesthetics and design. Here are some retaining wall questions you should discuss with your retaining wall installation professional before you break ground on your project.

What Type of Material do you Want?

You have many options when it comes to retaining wall materials, including wooden railroad ties, brick, stone, concrete, and more. The material you choose will affect your project cost, the installation timeline, and whether or not your pro needs to install drainage in the wall material, so it’s one of the first things you can expect to discuss with your expert.

When Do You Want Your Retaining Wall Installed?

Your professional can install your retaining wall in a day to a week or more, depending on its height and length, the material, and other factors, such as the state of your property before the work begins. Your pro will ask about your expected timeline to gauge how soon they’ll need to start to finish the project on time.

What Dimensions Do You Need?

Wall dimensions greatly impact price, as materials and installation costs range from $12.50 to $80 or more per square foot. Your professional will use the dimensions to determine a price and consider the retaining wall height to determine whether your wall needs additional bracing, a fixed foundation, drainage, and more.

What’s the Purpose of the Retaining Wall?

The purpose of the retaining wall can also affect necessary dimensions, structural reinforcements, drainage needs, and other factors. A simple, decorative retaining wall around a garden will take minimal planning, while a large retaining wall to level a sloped property will require far more work to plan out structural loads and necessary drainage.

Do You Already Have a Design?

Your professional will need to know if you’ve hired a landscape architect or a geotechnical engineer to plan your retaining wall before they begin working. Larger retaining walls that serve to level off your property will often need drainage built into the structure, a foundation, and bracing or reinforcement to handle the loads. If you haven’t hired a professional designer, your pro will need to bump up your costs to handle those added services.

What’s Your Budget?

The average cost to install a retaining wall is $6,100, but prices vary widely based on the wall dimensions, add-on services, and materials. Your pro will need to know your budget to help determine whether certain materials will better suit your needs, whether the wall size you’re aiming for is doable at that price point, and what add-ons you can consider.