Looking to add a 6’-8’ tall big block retaining wall g wall to backfill and level my backyard. I’m thinking of interlock big block retaining wall and fill to level everything out. Has anyone done this or have a rough idea of what this would cost per linear foot?
by FreeDig1212
45 Comments
$20k-$60k
r/landscaping
I had a shorter one about the length in the photo installed for about $10k
Big Block Bank .
If you’re asking, you don’t have that kind of rock money. That’s one of those, “I know, let’s throw up a giant limestone wall, Lovie.” Types of deals.
Them shits is spensive
Upgraded mafia blocks
Those look like lock and load walls. At that height you may need a permit. Typically for the height you want you will need to use geogrid or some sort of anchor system
Look up redi rock.
I worked for a company that made those. They have 3 rock face options and sizes based on your needs.
Probably $50-70 bucks per square foot of face and another 4-7k for an engineer to design it.
Typically anything over 4 foot requires an engineer to design. Most will require soil borings before hand to get design parameters.
They sell them by the block here
Isn’t it like 500 buck a block plus labor?
You can get some (mafia) blocks from your local Concrete company that are 2wx4lx2h made from leftover concrete for ~$70 per block. Check Facebook if you can’t find them at your local crete co.
Trouble is, they’re about 2300lbs each and the logistics around that depending on your job can be tricky. The delivery +rentals+labor for the machines to move this stuff is where you blow the budget.
That’s a megalithic formation it’s priceless
I built one about that size 3 years ago using the same blocks and it cost me 53K.
In northwest Canada, each one of those bricks is $215 (we pay per brick/ and if it’s decorative or plain), and then you need to add delivery/equipment/ placing.
You have $8k just in bricks alone in this picture. The estimates I’m seeing here from $30-60k USD seem pretty accurate.
You should definitely visit r/RetainingWallprojects we’re a growing subreddit community specifically for retaining wall projects.
6’-8’ foot wall will need a structural engineer involved and submitted plans to the county or HOA
Submitting civil engineering plans to a county requires understanding specific requirements, which can vary by locality. Generally, plans must be complete, accurate, and meet local codes and ordinances. Review processes often involve multiple agencies and can include electronic submissions. Contacting the county’s development services department is crucial for specific instructions and to ensure compliance.
Those blocks look like they weigh 3 tons each. Which is equivalent to 1cuyd of fill dirt. You might be able to fit 20 on a triple axel truck. You’re going to need heavy machinery like a 3000lbs skidsteer with a fork lift attachment to build the lower part or a big excavator like the one in the picture with the right attachment. Then there is the problem of getting this equipment through your property. Then grading the landscape when finished.
You will also need a crew of people.
The equipment, crew, and materials can easily climb to 100k for this project.
I got a quote for 108 ft long x 9 ft tall with backfill.
$30K USD for the blocks.
$76K USD for the backfill and labor.
Both numbers include a 6.35% sales tax ^
Level grade from 15% to 2% , 50 ft deep.
I’m still getting quotes to try and lower the backfill and labor. The blocks are what they are. They’re indestructible and 0 maintenance after install.
$55-$65 per face square foot of wall.
Hollow blocks…
In 2023 we were quoted $14k for a 60’ wall 2 courses high with capstones.
Is this a joke? A wall of that size anywhere between 20,000-90,000 I would say.
Alot! Thats alot of equipment and specialized personnel needed.
Mafia block. They look ridiculous in a residential setting. Someone in my neighborhood just got one a year ago. They also seem to shift a lot but maybe it was a poor install. Theirs was 24k. Probably 60ft long 4 ft tall. Northeast.
I installed 180 linear feet of retaining wall, 72” tall. I used precast 2’x6’ blocks (3500 lbs a piece). Had almost 100 of them trucked in, and used a 12k pound excavator to move and place them. Foundation prep is key, as well as carefully backfilling, compacting and installing drains. I somehow did all this myself (with a friend) for maybe $5-10k. I scored the precast blocks for $30 per unit. Having a contractor do this would have been $60k.
https://preview.redd.it/0iblt1gffk8f1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5a85ca9da28f09959c66b40668817020f922617
Unless you have a lot of money…
These blocks not only need a base, they are all filled with granular inside the blocks. Everything about it is expensive and labour / equipment intensive. 125$/sq.ft I’d guess, cdn. Depending on size and location. Maybe it’s less at a lower height of 6′
Go look at some armour stone.
That really depends, how tall is it? End of day depending who you are your access to skilled labor or ability to operate and access cost to materials this isn’t that bad if you’re just doing it yourself ya know on the low but any sort of like stamp or real contractors etc it sh t gonna be cheap
Those are roughly $260/block in MA
Recently installed a Redi Rock wall in MD. ~$75/sf installed.
$80/sf
I just had almost exactly this done. For two 7’ retaining walls – one on either side of my driveway – I paid $45K.
In my part of Connecticut you are required to hire an engineer if the height is more than 3ft.
Roughly $40-$60K. A neighboring property which is a rental property added to the damage of a retaining wall.
For the whole side it was about $80-$90K to knock out the old wall and install a new wall.
Tons
I have one! Two levels and approximately 100 total feet in length. One wall about 8 feet high the other like 6.5 feet. Total was just over $60k. Only took a two man crew and an engineer to do it. They use a crane and a backhoe. They go together like legos.
My neighbors put in a huge one, himself no less. I helped a little but I work a lot. I always wondered how much they spent.
More than you can afford, Pal
Are the aligned joints in the OP driving anyone else nuts?
$125 a SF installed is a good approximation. Figure out the total area of the face of the wall for the area.
I believe it’s between 50-70 dollars a square foot on average. That’s In Texas.
Just hearing how little everyone in this sub pays for this type of work is depressing. Thats easily $100k plus where i live. I’ll never finish my yard 😔
To get it done properly : a lot
To get it done cheap : even more.
Two 1st borns
What does this have to do with lawn care?