How Much Will a Concrete Retaining Wall Cost in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is blessed with beautiful hillsides. If you live on one of our many gorgeous hillsides, you know just how important a strong, durable retaining wall is. It may be looking a little worse for the wear lately and you may be thinking to yourself, just how much will a concrete retaining wall cost?

Retaining Wall Costs

The total cost of a retaining wall will depend on the cost of materials and labor. Also, factor in the cost of demolishing your old retaining wall and clearing out the old wall. A basic retaining wall will cost about $30 to $60 per square foot. The price could go up to $60 to $85 per square foot, depending on the degree of difficulty, especially on hillsides. The price for walls lower than 4 feet are often comparable with a block retaining wall.

What Costs Should I Consider for My Concrete Retaining Wall?

While a basic retaining wall will cost between $30 to $60 per square foot, there are some factors that could affect the overall price.

• Reinforcement: Here in earthquake country, you will have to reinforce your retaining wall. This will cause the cost for materials and labor to rise.

• Height: A taller wall requires more concrete, hence, a more expensive retaining wall. Any wall that is over 4 feet tall will have to be poured in two phases, increasing the labor involved.

• Length: A longer wall means more material needed and more work for the crew to dig footings. 

• Engineering: If your retaining wall is crucial to the stability of your home or other structure, you should consult an engineer. While fees for specialty engineering can add a significant amount of cost to the project, it will definitely pay off in the end with a properly engineered retaining wall that will withstand wear and tear over the years.

• Other costs: There are many other factors to consider when thinking about installing a concrete retaining wall. These include location, access, soil conditions, moisture levels in the soil and many more. 

What Details Can I Add to My Concrete Retaining Wall?

While there are many structural factors at play when you’re installing a retaining wall, there are some details you can add to make your retaining wall really stand out. And while a simple unfinished wall will be the most affordable option, will it make your property pop? Here are some ideas on how to add some shine to your retaining wall:

• Decorative Finish: Concrete is incredibly versatile in terms of design options. You can add texture or color to the surface of the wall. You can stamp your concrete wall to mimic the look of a more expensive natural stone wall. Additionally, you can color your concrete to either look like natural stone or any color you want.

• Curves: Want to add some curves to your wall? While this, more complex, design will cost more, it will definitely add a wow factor to your retaining wall.

Consider this, if you build a block retaining wall, it has to be stuccoed or finished with veneer. A concrete retaining wall does not need an added finish. This can be an area where concrete has a cost advantage over other retaining wall materials.

How Can I Protect My Investment?

A retaining wall can be decorative or necessary. Either way, you want to make sure you protect your investment starting with the beginning of your project.

First, start with the forms. They must be built properly before the concrete is poured to make sure the end result doesn’t have heat waves or bulges that make the wall appear sloppy.

Drainage and waterproofing also are essential elements of wall construction. Without proper waterproofing, moisture could move through the wall and discolor the finished surface. Proper drainage is necessary to make sure pressure doesn’t build up behind the wall and cause it to lean outwards.

Fixing any of these problems can be quite costly. It may even be necessary to demolish the existing wall and re-pour free concrete with the proper construction methods. To avoid these costly problems, make sure you hire a contractor with experience in building concrete retaining walls.

There are so many factors to consider when you’re thinking about building a retaining wall that will stand the test of time. The best way to get an idea of what a wall will cost in Los Angeles is to have a contractor visit your property to give you a bid. Give us a call at 1-818-722-8124. The experts at Concrete Decor Contractor will give you a quote that will take into account the unique factors found at your property.