Retaining Wall Cost (Per Square Foot & by Material)
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
Most retaining walls cost $20–$60 per face square foot installed. Segmental concrete block runs $20–$45/ft², boulders $25–$60/ft², poured concrete $30–$70/ft², and timber $15–$30/ft². A 20-ft × 3-ft wall (60 ft²) typically costs $1,200–$3,600 installed; DIY block cuts that to mostly material cost.
Retaining walls are priced by their face area — length times exposed height — because that captures both how long and how tall the wall is. Material is only part of it: excavation, base, drainage, backfill and the sheer weight of the blocks make labor the biggest line.
Installed cost by material
| Wall type | Installed / ft² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | $15–$30 | Cheapest; shortest lifespan |
| Concrete block (SRW) | $20–$45 | Most popular; DIY-friendly |
| Boulder / stone | $25–$60 | Needs equipment to set |
| Poured concrete | $30–$70 | Strongest; forms + rebar |
| Brick veneer | $40–$80 | Decorative facing |
What drives the price up
- Height: walls over ~4 ft need engineering, geogrid reinforcement and a permit.
- Drainage: gravel backfill and perforated pipe behind the wall are not optional on a good wall.
- Access: tight sites and hand-carrying block raise labor sharply.
- Curves and corners add cutting and waste.
The retaining wall calculator builds a pre-priced estimate — wall block, cap block, gravel base and labor — that you can edit to local rates.
FAQs
Is a block or poured concrete retaining wall cheaper?
Segmental block is usually cheaper for DIY and small-to-mid walls because there are no forms and no concrete truck — you stack interlocking units on a gravel base. Poured concrete costs more but is the strongest option for tall or heavily loaded walls.
Can I save money building a retaining wall myself?
Yes — labor is most of an installed quote, so a DIY block wall can cost 40–60% less. Just respect the height limit (~3–4 ft before engineering), get the base and drainage right, and be ready for heavy lifting.