Retaining Walls

Hold back the slope, gain back the yard

Hillside lots in Northern Utah lose topsoil every storm. A proper retaining wall stops the slide, turns wasted slope into level living space, and protects your foundation, driveway, and grass below.

We build walls that handle the freeze-thaw cycles along the Wasatch Front. That means proper drainage, the right backfill, and footings sized to the load behind them. Skip any of that and the wall blows out within a few winters.

We work in Ogden, Layton, South Weber, Willard, and the surrounding cities.

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What a wall does for your property

Stops erosion

One inch of topsoil takes hundreds of years to form and one heavy storm to wash away. A wall keeps your hill in place and your beds where you built them.

Creates usable space

A 20-foot run can convert a slope you can't even mow into a flat garden, patio, or play area. Most Northern Utah hillside lots gain 200 to 600 square feet of usable yard from a single wall.

Protects what is below

Foundations, driveways, and walkways downhill of a slope are at risk when water and soil move. A wall keeps both in check.

Materials we build with

Segmental block

Manufactured concrete block (Belgard, Versa-Lok, Allan Block, and similar). Strong, clean lines, and dozens of color options. Great for walls up to about 4 feet without engineering, and taller with geogrid reinforcement.

Natural stone

Boulder walls, dry-stack, and mortared stone. Looks like it grew out of the hillside. Best for character lots and properties where the wall is a feature, not just a structure.

Timber

Pressure-treated timber and railroad ties for budget walls and rustic looks. We deadman every other course into the slope so the wall does not lean.

How we build a wall that lasts

Footing first

Every wall starts with a compacted gravel base, set below the frost line where soil conditions require it. Footing width depends on wall height and soil. We size it before we order block.

Drainage that actually drains

Hydrostatic pressure is what blows walls out. We install perforated drain pipe behind every wall, wrapped in filter fabric, with clean gravel backfill 12 inches deep. Weep holes carry water to daylight or a drain.

Engineered when it counts

Most Utah cities require a permit and a stamped engineering plan for walls over four feet. We handle the engineering, pull the permit, and pass inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Utah?

Most Utah cities require a permit and engineering for walls over four feet (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall). We pull the permit and submit the plan.

How much does a retaining wall cost?

Segmental block typically runs $25 to $50 per face square foot installed. Natural stone and engineered walls run higher. Tier-and-terrace projects with multiple shorter walls often beat one tall engineered wall on cost.

Why do retaining walls fail?

Poor drainage is the number one cause. Water builds pressure behind the wall and pushes it out. Second is undersized footings. We solve both before we set a single block.

Can I plant on a retained slope?

Yes. We design beds at the top and base of every wall and run drip irrigation so the plants thrive without overwatering the structure. See rock decoration and hardscapes for full design options.

How long does construction take?

A short block wall (under 30 feet, under 4 feet tall) runs three to five days. Engineered walls and natural-stone projects can take two to four weeks.

Will the wall match my house?

Yes. We bring color and texture samples to your property so the wall matches your home, fencing, and existing hardscape.

Stop fighting your slope

Tell us about your hill and we will design a wall that handles it.

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