Retaining walls and stonework
Dry-stack borders, steps and edging in natural stone.
Stonework covers the parts that hold a yard together: borders and edging around beds, retaining walls on slopes, and steps between levels.
How the job is done
- 1A retaining wall sits on a trench of compacted crushed stone, with the first course set level and firm.
- 2A perforated drain pipe runs along the back of the base and out to daylight.
- 3Clean gravel right behind the wall lets water drain instead of pushing on the stone.
- 4The soil behind it is packed in layers; taller walls are tied back into the slope with reinforcing grid.
- 5Steps sit on the same kind of compacted base, and edging is set into the ground so it holds when the soil moves.
What affects the cost
- Length and height of the wall
- Material
- How much soil it holds back
- How much drainage work it needs
- How easy it is to dig and bring materials in
- How many steps
- For edging, the linear feet and the stone
Local conditions
Many local soils hold water after rain, and some have a dense layer that keeps it from draining away. When a wall cannot drain, the wet soil behind it pushes harder, and that is a common reason walls lean. Taller walls fall under the building code: one holding back more than 4 feet of soil needs an engineered design.
Questions homeowners ask us.
Why do retaining walls lean?
Usually water. Wet soil behind a wall with no drainage pushes on it until it moves.
How long does a retaining wall last?
Drainage and a solid base decide it more than anything else.
When does a wall need an engineer?
Under the residential building code, when it holds back more than 4 feet of soil, or when a shorter wall carries extra weight such as a driveway.
What edging works best for flower beds?
Heavier stone set into the soil holds its line better than light borders that sit on top.
Is the estimate really free, and what happens at the visit?
Free, with no obligation. Darren Fant walks the site, measures, looks at drainage and access, and gives a written quote. Every quote is written after seeing the yard, because access and grading differ house to house.
How it’s quoted
A written number after the walk-through - no sales pitch.
Related services
Service areas
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your yard and Darren will call to set up the visit.