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A retaining wall isn't decorative — it's structural. It holds back thousands of pounds of saturated BC soil so your yard doesn't end up in your neighbour's. We engineer every wall for the specific grade, soil type, and drainage conditions on your property. Whether you're terracing a hillside, building a garden bed, or preventing erosion against your foundation, the wall needs to be designed for the load it carries and the water it manages — not just how it looks on day one.
Full site assessment — we evaluate slope angle, soil composition, water flow patterns, and proximity to structures before designing your wall.
Excavation to proper depth with compacted granular base — the foundation your wall stands on matters more than the blocks themselves.
Geotextile fabric behind the wall and perforated drain tile at the base to manage hydrostatic pressure — the #1 reason retaining walls fail in BC.
Engineered backfill with clear crush gravel, compacted in lifts, so water drains down and out instead of building pressure against the face.
Final grading, topsoil, and site cleanup — we leave your property better than we found it, not a construction zone.
We work with Allan Block, Belgard, Pavestone, and Expocrete segmental wall systems for engineered gravity walls up to 6 feet and geogrid-reinforced walls beyond that. Natural stone — granite, basalt, and sandstone sourced from BC quarries — for dry-stack and mortared feature walls. Pressure-treated timber and landscape ties for budget-conscious grade changes under 3 feet. Poured-in-place concrete with rebar and proper forming for heavy structural applications. Every material is chosen for your specific wall height, soil conditions, and exposure — not because it's what we had on the truck.
Retaining wall costs in the Lower Mainland typically range from $35 to $85 per square face foot, depending on the material (Allan Block, natural stone, timber, or poured concrete), wall height, site access, and drainage requirements. A typical 30-foot wall at 4 feet high runs $4,200 to $10,200. We provide detailed written estimates after an on-site assessment.
In most Lower Mainland municipalities, retaining walls over 4 feet (1.2 metres) require a building permit and engineered drawings. Walls under 4 feet are generally exempt, but setback rules and drainage bylaws still apply. We check your local requirements during the consultation and handle permit applications when needed.
Allan Block and segmental concrete units are the most popular choice for BC retaining walls — they're engineered for wet conditions, allow water to pass through the joints, and don't rot or rust. Natural stone is excellent for aesthetic walls under 4 feet. Poured concrete is best for heavy structural applications. We recommend the right material based on your wall height, soil type, and drainage.
We build retaining walls in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and across the Lower Mainland.
Free on-site consultation · No obligation