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Find Retaining wall installation pros in Ames

Avatar for Gonzalez Contractors LLC
Gonzalez Contractors LLC
4.7(
89
)
Retaining Wall - Install

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"I would highly recommend Gonzalez Contractors. They responded quickly and explained the complete process. The estimated cost was reasonable. They also cleaned the job site when the project was completed. Very professional!"
Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for Beeler Lawn & Landscape, LLC
Beeler Lawn & Landscape, LLC
5.0(
16
)
Retaining Wall - Install

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I was extremely pleased with the work done on our new back patio by Beeler Lawn and Landscape. I obtained several different quotes and Richard was creative/honest/and a great communicator throughout the process. I have already requested that he return in the spring for more work on our yard/landscaping."
Paver Patio for Pool & Mulch install
Various Projects
Various Projects
Various Projects
Paver Patio

+39

Response time2 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Supreme Lawn & Landscape Inc
Supreme Lawn & Landscape Inc
3.7(
32
)
Retaining Wall - Install

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

"Supreme completed final grading, buried downspouts, laid an acre of sod and some landscaping for us. They were timely and professional each time they performed services for us. I would recommend them and will use them again for any yard/landscaping needs."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+3

Recommended by74%of homeowners
Avatar for J&C lawn care
J&C lawn care
5.0(
3
)
Retaining Wall - Install

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

"J & C Lawn service was professional, prompt and provided excellent lawn care services, and landscaping. They were easy to contact and always ready to help with my projects. They even help me with some small handyman services inside. I will use their services again."
Landscaping Project
Landscaping Project
Landscaping Project
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Retaining Wall Installers questions, answered by experts

Poured concrete is often the cheapest material for a retaining wall, costing around $6 to $8 per square foot. Other budget-friendly options include vinyl and landscaping timbers, which range from $10 to $15 per square foot; landscaping timbers are particularly well-suited for DIY projects. Untreated timber and railroad ties are a step up in price, starting at $15 to $25 per square foot. Natural stones can also be a cost-effective choice if you can source them from your own property, but they can be expensive to purchase. High-end materials like steel are typically the most expensive but offer superior durability and aesthetics.

Each design is different, so we can’t say definitively if you’ll need a dedicated drainage system in place for a two-foot retaining wall. However, you can likely skip the drainage, as this project is typically served for walls that are 4 feet tall or more. Even with a relatively low wall, consider drainage if you are building on top of clay or poor-draining soil types or if there are buried water sources nearby, like a well used for other outdoor garden projects.

Sand and gravel are two suitable options for filling behind a retaining wall. If you’re building your own retaining wall, you’ll complete this part of the process—known as backfilling—after you finish laying the blocks. Make sure not to skip it—otherwise, you could wind up with drainage issues, which can cause your retaining wall to collapse.

Failure to compact the soil during construction is the most common cause of leaning retaining walls. In addition, poor drainage can lead to excessive water pressure behind a retaining wall, pushing against it until it begins to move forward away from the soil it is holding back.

Yes, you can use cinder blocks for many purposes, including retaining walls, foundations, garage walls, and fences. Building a cinder block retaining wall costs between $60 and $200 per linear foot, including materials and professional labor. For a 30-foot-long retaining wall, the cost ranges from $1,800 to $6,000.

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to retaining wall installation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.