Retaining Walls by Legacy General Contractor
CONCRETE RETAINING WALLS — RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & DECORATIVE OPTIONS
Retaining walls hold back earth and manage grade changes on your property. We build residential poured concrete retaining walls, concrete block retaining walls, tiered retaining walls for steep slopes, large-scale commercial retaining walls, and decorative retaining walls with stamped, textured, or colored finishes. Every retaining wall includes proper drainage, reinforcement, and footing design to resist lateral soil pressure and prevent failure.
Starting at $25 per sq ft of wall face
Retaining Walls Services
Select a service below for pricing, process details, and FAQs.
Gravity Retaining Walls
Mass concrete and stone gravity walls that resist soil pressure through sheer weight. For grade changes up to 4 feet.
From $25 per face sq ft
Learn MoreCantilevered Retaining Walls
Engineered reinforced concrete walls for grade changes over 4 feet. Rebar-reinforced stem and footing resist soil pressure through structural design.
From $35 per face sq ft
Learn MoreSegmental Block Retaining Walls
Interlocking concrete block retaining walls (Allan Block, Versa-Lok, Keystone). Versatile, attractive, and cost-effective.
From $20 per face sq ft
Learn More5 Highlights on Retaining Walls
Residential retaining walls
poured concrete, concrete block, and tiered retaining walls for landscaping, grade changes, and property boundary definition.
Commercial retaining walls
large-scale poured walls, highway retaining structures, and parking structure retaining walls engineered for heavy lateral loads.
Decorative retaining walls
stamped, textured, and colored concrete finishes that add visual appeal while serving structural purposes.
Proper engineering
all retaining walls include drainage systems, appropriate reinforcement, and adequate footing design for the retained earth height.
Why Choose Our Retaining Walls
Retaining walls must resist lateral earth pressure, manage water drainage, and maintain stability over decades. We engineer every wall for the specific soil conditions and retained height.
Walls over 4 feet in retained height typically require engineering design and building permits. We handle the entire process from design through final inspection.
Proper drainage behind retaining walls is critical. We install drainage aggregate and weep systems to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup.
Signs You Need Retaining Walls
1. Slope erosion on your property
Retaining walls prevent soil erosion, create usable flat areas, and protect structures from sliding soil.
2. Want to create level yard areas
Tiered retaining walls transform sloped properties into functional, level spaces for patios, gardens, and play areas.
3. Existing retaining wall is failing
Leaning, cracking, or bulging retaining walls indicate structural failure and need replacement before they collapse.
Our Retaining Walls Process
Step 1 — Site Evaluation
Assess soil conditions, grade change, drainage patterns, and retained height to determine wall design requirements.
Step 2 — Design & Engineering
For walls over 4 feet: structural engineering design. For shorter walls: standard design based on soil and height.
Step 3 — Excavation & Footing
Excavate for footing at proper depth below grade. Pour reinforced footing sized for the wall height and soil conditions.
Step 4 — Wall Construction
Build wall per design — poured concrete, block, or tiered system. Install reinforcement and drainage as specified.
Step 5 — Backfill & Drainage
Install drainage aggregate and system behind wall. Backfill in controlled lifts with proper compaction.
Brands We Use
- Redi-Rock — large precast retaining wall blocks
- Anchor Wall Systems — segmental retaining wall blocks
- CEMEX — ready-mix for poured retaining walls
FAQs About Retaining Walls
How tall can a retaining wall be?
Residential retaining walls up to 4 feet typically don't require engineering. Walls over 4 feet need structural engineering design and building permits. We build walls of all heights with appropriate engineering.
How long do concrete retaining walls last?
Properly built concrete retaining walls with adequate drainage last 50+ years. The most common cause of premature failure is poor drainage, which allows water pressure to build behind the wall.
Pricing
$25 - $75
per sq ft of wall face
*Varies by project scope and site conditions.
Related Services
Leave Concrete to the Pros
Because with Legacy General Services,
You Get More Than a Guarantee
When you choose Legacy General Services for your concrete project in the NW Metro, you're choosing a partner committed to quality that lasts.
Reputation
MN-registered contractor since 2023. Insured and trusted by homeowners across the NW Metro.
Transparency
No hidden fees or surprise charges. Upfront pricing on every concrete project—big or small, start to finish.
Efficiency
On-time scheduling and reliable project timelines. We show up when we say we will and finish on schedule.
Quality
Air-entrained, freeze-thaw resistant concrete built for Minnesota winters. Every pour meets or exceeds code.