Retaining walls are a great addition to any property as they provide a sturdy barrier to hold back soil and prevent it from collapsing. They are excellent for creating terraces, increasing usable yard space, and preventing erosion. Retaining walls come in different materials, designs, and sizes, and this affects their cost. If you’re a homeowner in Greater Charlotte looking to build a retaining wall, you’re likely wondering how much you should budget. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the factors that influence the cost of building a retaining wall in Greater Charlotte.
Material
The material used to build your retaining wall significantly affects its cost. All materials come with their pros and cons, with some being more expensive than others. Common materials used to build retaining walls include manufactured block, boulders, and wood. Walls constructed from manufactured block tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum, whereas boulder and timber walls cost less. And of course, the larger the wall, the higher the cost will be overall.
Soil Conditions
Soil conditions dictate the type and extent of preparation needed before building a retaining wall. The nature of the soil affects the site prep required before building the wall. In some cases, soil testing may be necessary to determine the best course of action to ensure the soil is held back after construction. For some projects, specifically ones requiring walls taller than four feet in height an engineer may need to be consulted.
Drainage
The drainage system of your retaining wall is essential to prevent water from building up behind the wall. Moisture retention can cause cracks, instability, and erosion. A properly installed drainage system adds to the overall cost of building the retaining wall but is necessary in the long run.
Labor & Installation
The total cost of building a retaining wall also depends on the amount of labor and installation required. Most contractors will bid the project based on anticipated equipment and man-hours incurred along with material costs Worksites where equipment access is limited may cost more per square foot installed due to the additional labor hours for bringing in material by hand instead of with a machine.
So How Much Will a Retaining Wall Cost to Build?
On average, property owners throughout Greater Charlotte can expect to pay between $40 to $50 per square foot when having a new retaining wall constructed on their property with most contractors having a $2,500 project minimum.
Allow the Professionals at RK Preferred to Construct Your Ideal Retaining Wall
If your Greater Charlotte property could benefit from the functional aspects a retaining wall provides, contact the experts a RK Preferred Landscaping today to schedule a consultation for your next project, serving residential and commercial clients in Greater Charlotte.