Retaining Wall Construction

We can build beautiful, functional, retaining walls.

We Build, Repair, and Replace Retaining Walls
We your retaining wall experts in Clayton, Raleigh, Apex, and Cary!

Retaining walls are a great addition to any landscape, especially if your property has an existing slope.  Building a retaining wall allows you to reclaim some of that lost space by carving out usable outdoor spaces on sloping ground that would otherwise not be usable.  Retaining walls can hold back earth and soil which helps to create new level areas for the construction of a new garden bed, a new lawn, a patio or an outdoor cooking area, a parking area, and more.  Retaining walls can be built using a variety of materials including rock, brick, block, boulders, or even wood.

Why Do You Need Retaining Walls On Your Property?

  • Do you need to prevent soil erosion on your property?
  • Do you have an existing retaining wall that has failed and needs repair or rebuilt?
  • Do you have a sloped property you’d like to landscape?
  • Do you want to create a new outdoor living space?
  • Do you want some raised garden beds around your home or property?

Rodrigo’s Landscaping is a landscaping contractor based out of Clayton, North Carolina and serving Wake County, including: Apex, Cary, Clayton, Garner, Knightdale, Raleigh, and Rolesville.  We specialize in designing and building functional segmental and boulder retaining walls for property owners looking to landscape their naturally sloped property.  From a 30′ foot long curved block retaining wall to surround your front garden beds, to more complicated, retaining walls for your terraced or tiered property.

Construction Of New Retaining Walls

We specialize in the construction of new segmented retaining walls.  The benefits to segmented retaining walls are many.  Segmented retaining walls are aesthetically pleasing, they offer design flexibility, they are economical, easier to install, and durable.

They are also pre-engineered, meaning the wall can be built to your project specifications without having to have an architect or engineer design the wall itself.  We can build the wall to the engineering specifications and have a qualified engineer sign off on the project if the height or size of the wall requires it.

Retaining Walls & Building Permits in Wake County, North Carolina

In most of Wake County (your municipality could be different) retaining walls that are under 3 feet in height generally do not require permits or design plans.  There are some specifics that may or may not apply to your situation.  If retaining walls are 3 feet in height or over than a permit is generally required.  Any retaining walls over 6 feet in height will require a permit and additionally an engineered design to ensure the structure is sound.  This information does not account for any covenants that might be on your property.

When we view your property we’ll be able to let you know any specific building codes that might apply to your circumstance depending on the height/length of your wall and what it’s specifically being installed for and whatever surcharges (weight) might be applied to the soil above and behind the wall.

Proper Drainage For Retaining Walls

We are often contacted by potential customers who have an existing retaining wall that has failed, it’s either falling down, bulging, or collapsing.  One of the most common reasons for retaining wall failure is that the original wall was built with poor drainage in place.

Retaining walls are designed to hold back earth from erosion.  This also makes them excellent at holding back water too.  The water that builds up behind a retaining wall is referred to in the industry as “hydrostatic pressure” and the external force of the soil or fill held behind your retaining wall coupled with the weight of the water held behind it is often enough to seriously compromise the integrity of your wall which can lead to failures such as bulging and even a total collapse.

Well-built retaining walls must incorporate good drainage if it’s going to last for many years.  Depending on the type of material being used to build your retaining wall there are a variety of ways to integrate sufficient drainage such as lateral drains, french drains, weeping drains, blanket drains and also the use of very granular soil or fill behind the wall can also work to disperse rather than hold the water.

Understanding Retaining Wall Surcharges

A "surcharge" when it comes to a retaining wall is the weight on top of or behind the wall.  For example, if you're building a retaining wall to create a new parking area for a boat or an RV we need to consider the weight of the boat or RV and it's impact on the retaining wall.

If your wall is going to have a surcharge it must be built with this in mind if it's going to last.  This would also include tiered retaining walls or retaining walls with a fence on top or any other weight other than the earth it's holding back.

Geo-grid is often used to provide extra tensile strength to each course of your retaining wall so it's anchored to the ground behind it.  Proper use of geo-grid will ensure that your retaining wall will be built to last and won't collapse or buckle under the excess weight.

Failure to properly stabilize retaining walls is another very common failure.

What Materials Do We Use For Retaining Walls?

There are many different materials to build your retaining wall out of.  Below are some of the more popular materials in our area because of their availability.

  • Block retaining walls
  • Natural stone retaining walls
  • Large boulder retaining walls

How Our Retaining Wall Construction Process Works

When building a retaining wall on your property that is designed to hold back soil and earth from erosion there is very little margin for error so when required we work directly with engineers if your wall is over 6 feet in height.  There are many pre-engineered systems we can use as well that can eliminate the need for detailed building plans.

  1. We start with our initial consultation.
  2. We determine how many feet of retaining wall you need.
  3. We determine the height of the wall and if a building permit or engineer will be required.
  4. We take into account any surcharges (weight) the wall might be exposed to.
  5. We consult with you on the materials you’d like your retaining built with.
  6. We’ll provide you with an accurate written estimate for the work.

The amount of work required to build a retaining wall can vary widely from project to project.  The slope of your property, the amount of earth your retaining wall must hold back and the overall accessibility of your property will all contribute to the final cost.  We’ll be able to offer you an accurate estimate only after a site visit.

What Does It Cost To Build Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls can vary in price depending on the size, scope, length, height, and the materials chosen.  Larger walls will need to be engineered which can add to the cost.

Cost To Build A Small Garden Retaining Wall

Smaller Garden Walls

$3,000 - $10,000

This would be for a small garden wall (under 2 feet high) to surround a small garden or to surround a small landscaping bed.

Cost To Build A Medium Sized Retaining Wall

Medium Sized Walls

$10,000 - $30,000

This would be for a medium sized wall up to 4 feet high.  Installed with drainage and geo-grid so it lasts.

Cost To Build A Large Tiered Retaining Wall

Large Retaining Walls

$30,000 - $100,000+

This would be a ballpark cost for a very large or tiered retaining wall or multiple wall with courses that are 4 feet or higher

Retaining Wall Projects Can Include

A beautiful retaining wall isn't just for looks.  They have an important job to do.  Whether we're building a brand new retaining wall or replacing an existing retaining wall that has failed, there are a number of things we do.

Proper Excavation
Proper Base Materials
Drainage Installation
Integrated Lighting
Built-in Stairs
Geogrid (for stability)
Cap Stones (for looks)
Engineering

These prices do not include stairs.  If you need stairs built within your retaining wall there will be an additional cost.  These price ranges are for a typical wall built using readily available landscape block.  There are a wide variety of styles and patterns available and we'll be able to provide you with a selection during our consultation.  The price can vary significantly depending on the specific material you choose.

These prices are ball park figures to give you a rough idea as to what you should expect.  Your particular project may vary depending on site accessibility, materials chosen, and the overall scope of work.  If you need a firm price please request a consultation so we can view your potential project, listen to your ideas, and determine the actual scope of work required to complete your project.  After our on-site consultation we'll be able to provide you with a firm estimate to complete your project.

Retaining Wall Repair Or Replacement

We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and/or collapsed.

Retaining Wall Repairs

It's pretty common for us to get called out to repair an existing retaining wall that has collapsed or failed in some way.  This could be an old wood retaining wall that is rotting away or a block wall that is bulging or on the verge of collapse if it has not collapsed already.

Typically we don't recommend "repairing" retaining walls.  The wall has failed for a reason and that reason is typically poor construction or a poor choice of materials.  When a wall has failed we will usually recommend tearing the wall out and replacing it.  This would include demolition of the old wall, re-excavating the area to allow for proper base materials, installation of proper drainage, and proper backfill.  Building it right is the more cost effective option in most situations.

Rebuilding Failed Retaining Walls

If your existing retaining wall has failed and needs to be replaced it's usually more cost effective to demolish the old wall, remove the materials, re-excavate the site, install a proper base, geo-grid if necessary, install drainage, and build the retaining wall properly.

We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and would be happy to provide you with a consultation if you have a wall that you believe needs to be replaced.

Our Clients Love Us!

Here's What They Say

Heather King
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Heather King
February 18, 2024

In a world of where contractor woes are a common complaint, it's a relief to find someone like Rodrigo. He is hard working, organized, a good listener, and attentive to detail. Beyond that, he has a great eye and can visualize a landscape that looks amazing and then make it happen. His team members have the same skills, and are able to help you see the how the technical aspects of the work come together with your plan. Our garden patio update and sod look perfect with our mid-century modernist house. Clean lines and a modern but natural look.

Jon Alley
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Jon Alley
November 15, 2023

I emailed the company from the website asking for an estimate. I was quickly contacted to discuss the project. Rodrigo was able to provide a rough estimate based on measurements and a sketch of what I was wanting. He then setup a time to come to the site to verify/confirm the project. The estimate provided over the phone was very close to the “real” estimate…no hidden fees or charges. If you’re looking for a professional that is prompt, responsive, and provides a great product, make sure you give Rodrigo’s a call.

Mauricio Garcia
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Mauricio Garcia
October 29, 2023

Beautiful work done on my new pathway to my backyard! Will be repeating customer for other projects !

Sriram Srinivasan
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Sriram Srinivasan
October 5, 2023

I had happened to reach out to Rodrigo for a free estimate and scope of work for a job in my backyard. Rodrigo was very punctual, responsive, and always followed up. He had got the scope of work and proposal on time. He is the guy you could trust. I couldn't do a project with him due to unavoidable reasons at the last minute but came here to leave a review about his professionalism!!!!

Edyta C
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Edyta C
June 17, 2023

Highly recommend Rodrigo’s Landscaping to anybody who is looking to get a professional work done. They did an amazing job making a concrete retaining wall for us. They worked very fast and finished the job in just 2 days. Very happy with the results. Also, they followed the contract and executed everything in the way we asked them to. Would use them again in the future.

Mahesh Muppavarapu
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Mahesh Muppavarapu
April 28, 2023

For the past 2 years, I have been searching for a good hardscaping company which can help transform my backyard / frontyard. Many contractors would come and take a look and would either not send the quote or never understood what I was looking for from landscaping design standpoint. I contacted Rodrigo through FB and he came the next day(I believe Sunday) to take a look and gave me a quote in couple of days. Rodrigo is thorough and easy to work with. He will make sure you are satisfied with the design and outcome of the project. He is there at every stage of the project, continuously monitoring the progress and answer any questions I had at each stage. His team works really well and does a thorough job. At times, I raised concerns that the work is not as expected and his team took the inputs/feedback and made corrections and completed the work to satisfaction. All in all, Rodrigo’s Landscaping team did a fantastic job with my backyard / frontyard. I would highly recommend them for any major project you want to get done. You will not be disappointed.

Lori Kittle
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Lori Kittle
March 15, 2023

We used Rodrigo’s Landscaping for pavers around our pool area. They were very knowledgeable, professional and responsive to our many questions. The pavers we had completed came out beautifully and we will use this company again for future landscaping needs.

Justin Hyde
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Justin Hyde
March 4, 2023

This is the second project that Rodrigo and his crew did for us. There’s a reason that we are a repeat customer and will continue to go to this business for any landscaping needs. Rodrigo himself is very professional, personable, and most importantly a trustworthy individual. He is super responsive and very accommodating to our schedule. His crew does a fantastic job with no corners cut. I highly recommend working with Rodrigo.

mike spriggs
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mike spriggs
November 1, 2022

Rodrigo’s Landscaping really is the best landscape company to work with. Rodrigo, does a fine job communicating during each phase of the project. Rodrigo , showed exceptional communication, and his TEAM! WOW watch his crew work for a day and you will see they're extremely skilled at what they do. I highly recommend Rodrigos landscaping !

Valerie Willis
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Valerie Willis
October 30, 2022

I've used Rodrigo Landscaping for three major projects at my residence; Cedar Mulch and tree & leaf removal that accumulated for 15yrs. I was impress with his professionalism i hired him again to install three 9ft green giant trees and cut down a few trees to allow the new trees to fully grown. The 3rd project was aerate and reseeding my one acre yard. He had an interesting service I had not had for the 20yrs I've owned my home. It was called removal of the dirt buds left by the aeration machine. In summary, he has always kept to his commitment of our landscape contracts and I respect and appreciate his style of running a landscape business. He's a rare gem and I plan to use him again!

Maureen Anoba
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Maureen Anoba
July 22, 2022

Absolutely did a fantastic job on landscaping our backyard- price was fair and work done as scheduled and on time! Highly recommend!

Paul Ingham
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Paul Ingham
June 5, 2022

Rodrigo and his crew did a marvelous job. First of all Rodrigo responded to our request for a Landscape design and quote the same day. He was on time, very professional and created a landscape design by the next day at a very competitive price. He explained exactly what they would be doing and how long it would take to complete the job. One week later his crew showed up and completed the project that day. They left the site in perfect condition and Rodrigo came by to make sure we were satisfied with the work. I would recommend Rodrigo's Landscaping to anyone. He honest, creative, professional, knowledgeable, reasonable and on time.

Hunter Shepherd
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Hunter Shepherd
December 1, 2021

We recently hired Rodrigo to regrade our front and back yard, install zoysia sod, create mulch beds with steel borders, add a french drain, and lay stone paths. Rodrigo was professional and delivered on our vision. His team completed the work within a couple of days of starting. We couldn’t be happier with our choice! If you want a job well done I would highly recommend Rodrigo’s Landscaping. The pictures speak for themselves

Sagesse09
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Sagesse09
October 13, 2021

Rodrigo did such a great job with my yard! I was so frustrated at the way my yard was being kept so I hired Rodrigo's Landscaping. My yard looks great now! Here is a before and after of one of the areas they worked on for me.

Heidi Connell
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Heidi Connell
July 22, 2021

Rodrigo went above and beyond any expectations and visions we had for our yard. Very hard working, detail oriented and professional. He most definitely has our business from here on out. We’ve received many compliments from neighbors and friends. We recommend him to anyone with a project on their hands! You will not be disappointed with any aspect of working with him!

Tracy Hudson
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Tracy Hudson
April 23, 2021

Rodrigo unexpectedly stopped by and offered to spread a pile of mulch we had sitting in our driveway. We ended up hiring him to weed our landscaping and spread the mulch. He was fast, priced fairly, and detail oriented! We plan to use him for lawn maintenance throughout the upcoming summer.

A Jones
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A Jones
April 19, 2021

Rodrigo was professionally sound throughout and did a great job!!

Sharae Smith
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Sharae Smith
March 7, 2021

Very professional, thorough and knowledgeable. I was more than pleased with his services.

Mike
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Mike
February 25, 2021

Amazing customer service worked alone today and still completed a job for 3 people by himself great customer service takes pride In his work 5 stars for sure will recommend to everyone i know

Kelly Irons
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Kelly Irons
February 24, 2021

Great experience from website to work completion. Definitely recommend contacting for any work you need done.

Cheryl Copeland
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Cheryl Copeland
February 18, 2021

I was very pleased with the work that Rodrigo provided on such short notice. He is a very polite and hardworking and makes sure that every detail of the work requested was done correctly. I was very satisfied with the appearance of the yard after completion.

Robert Lacey
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Robert Lacey
February 13, 2021

Excellent customer service this guy is the best

Sabirah Fleming
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Sabirah Fleming
January 30, 2021

Great service, Great Price & Definitely recommend; You will not be disappointed 👌🏽

Jenifer Castellano
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Jenifer Castellano
January 15, 2021

By far one of the best landscaping services in Raleigh!

Joseph Upshaw
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Joseph Upshaw
January 15, 2021

Excellent customer service!!! Very kind, knowledgeable, honest, and extremely hard working, will use again and will recommend to others

Sara Rios
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Sara Rios
January 14, 2021

This was absolutely the best service I’ve ever had, kind, patient and paid close attention to detail, not to mention you can’t beat the price! highly recommend.

Alan Segura
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Alan Segura
January 14, 2021

Very professional and very educated. Best prices you’ll find in a 100 mile radius for sure!! Rodrigo did a lot of work for me this past week and I am so happy it turned out even better than expected. give this man a call & you’ll save a ton of money and headaches!!

Request Your Retaining Wall Consultation

More Retaining Wall Information

Choosing Between Segmental Or Boulder Retaining Walls

By rodrigolandscaping

When it comes to managing sloped landscapes and enhancing outdoor living spaces, retaining walls play a pivotal role. Among the most popular choices are segmental retaining walls and those constructed from natural…

Read More...
retaining wall installation

Ideas for a Sloped Yard

By rodrigolandscaping

If you live in a hilly town, sloped neighborhood, or rolling countryside, you know how intimidating it can feel when you are trying to landscape. Sloped yards can be difficult to walk…

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