Santa Monica · Masonry Services
Retaining Walls
Engineered retaining walls in block, poured concrete, and natural stone, with drainage built in behind every wall.
Retaining Walls · Santa Monica
Retaining Wall Construction in Santa Monica
We build retaining walls that hold back real weight. Most of our work sits on the canyon lots and graded hillsides between Santa Monica and the Palisades, where a yard only becomes usable once the slope is terraced and the water has somewhere to go. We build block retaining walls, poured concrete retaining walls, and full natural stone walls, and we design each one around the soil we actually find when we dig rather than a spec pulled off a shelf. Homeowners, property managers, and architects hire us for hillside retaining walls, garden terraces, driveway cuts, and the block walls that carry a fence or a planting bed. Every wall gets a proper footing, gravel backfill, and drain pipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a retaining wall cost per foot?
Retaining wall installation ranges from $25 to $75 per square foot depending on material. Concrete block walls are the most affordable, and natural stone retaining walls are premium. Walls over 4 feet require engineering and cost more.
What type of retaining wall lasts the longest?
Poured concrete and natural stone retaining walls last 50 to 100 years or more. Concrete block walls last 40 to 60 years. Timber retaining walls have the shortest lifespan at 15 to 20 years.
Do retaining walls need drainage?
Yes. Every retaining wall needs proper drainage behind it. Without it, water pressure builds up and can cause the wall to lean, crack, or collapse. We install gravel backfill and drain pipe on every retaining wall project.
How tall can a retaining wall be without a permit?
In most of the Santa Monica area, walls up to 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing can go in without a permit, provided they carry no surcharge. Anything taller, or anything holding back a driveway or structure, needs engineered drawings and a permit. We handle both.
Plenty more of what we get asked, grouped by trade, sits on the masonry questions page.
Planning masonry work in Santa Monica?
Tell us about the project and we will come out for a free on-site estimate.
Or call us now: (310) 356-9429